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Smugglers' Notch State Park in Vermont pairs granite cliffs, forest trails and seasonal camping with scenic drives, hiking and access to Mount Mansfield.

Cliffs, Forest and a Narrow Mountain Pass

Smugglers' Notch State Park occupies the dramatic southern gateway to Smugglers' Notch, a constricted mountain pass in northern Vermont where Route 108 threads between Mount Mansfield and Sterling Mountain. Massive granite walls, glacial boulders, spruce and northern hardwood forest give the area a character unlike the more open farming valleys beyond Stowe and Jeffersonville. The state park is closely associated with the notch itself, although the wider landscape also extends through Mount Mansfield State Forest and other protected mountain terrain.

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Outdoor Access and Seasonal Character

Visitors come for hiking, photography, autumn colour and the experience of travelling through one of Vermont's most distinctive mountain landscapes. The Long Trail crosses the broader notch area, while routes such as Sterling Pond Trail lead into higher forest and alpine terrain. Bingham Falls is nearby, but access, parking and water conditions require care. The park's campground provides a base for exploring the pass, although services are seasonal and limited compared with those in Stowe or Jeffersonville. Route 108 is generally a scenic local road rather than a reliable year-round through route: winter closures and seasonal vehicle restrictions can affect passage through the narrowest section.

A Landscape Shaped by History

The name recalls periods when people used the secluded pass to evade customs restrictions and, later, Prohibition-era enforcement, though the area's identity is rooted equally in logging, mountain travel and conservation. Today, visitors encounter a landscape where geology and forest management remain visible alongside recreational infrastructure. The surrounding communities provide supplies, meals, equipment and accommodation, while the park itself is best approached as a nature-focused destination requiring preparation for changing weather, steep trails and limited mobile coverage.

When is the best time to visit Smugglers' Notch State Park?

Best: June–August · 24–26°C

-4° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: -14.3°C, High: -3.5°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 50 mm, High: 100 mm J

-2° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: -12.7°C, High: -2.3°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 45 mm, High: 95 mm F

4° Temperature Range for MarchLow: -6.5°C, High: 4.3°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 55 mm, High: 105 mm M

11° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 0.8°C, High: 10.7°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 60 mm, High: 110 mm A

18° Temperature Range for MayLow: 6.4°C, High: 18.1°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 70 mm, High: 120 mm M

Best 24° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 12.1°C, High: 23.6°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 75 mm, High: 125 mm J

Best 26° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 15.5°C, High: 25.7°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 80 mm, High: 130 mm J

Best 25° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 14.3°C, High: 24.6°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 75 mm, High: 125 mm A

20° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 9.5°C, High: 19.7°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 70 mm, High: 120 mm S

13° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 3.6°C, High: 13.2°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 65 mm, High: 115 mm O

6° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: -1.7°C, High: 5.7°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 60 mm, High: 110 mm N

0° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: -9.4°C, High: -0.3°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 55 mm, High: 105 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	-4	75
February	-2	70
March	4	80
April	11	85
May	18	95
June (best)	24	100
July (best)	26	105
August (best)	25	100
September	20	95
October	13	90
November	6	85
December	0	80

Getting to and around Smugglers' Notch State Park

How to get there

Smugglers' Notch State Park is reached by Vermont Route 108, approached from Stowe to the south or Jeffersonville and Cambridge to the north. The nearest substantial visitor hub is Stowe, while Burlington is the principal nearby city and airport gateway for many international visitors. Travellers arriving by air or rail will generally need a hired car or pre-arranged local transport for the final journey, as the park is in a mountain corridor with limited public transport. Route 108 through the notch is subject to seasonal closures and restrictions, so check current Vermont road and state-park information before setting out.

Transportation

A car is the most practical way to combine the state park, the notch, nearby trailheads and communities on either side of the mountains. Route 108 is narrow and winding in the pass, with limited stopping opportunities; use designated parking areas rather than stopping in the carriageway. Walking and hiking are central to the experience, but trails are uneven and elevation changes can be substantial. Cycling is possible on regional roads but requires confidence in steep gradients and traffic conditions. Public transport coverage is limited, and visitors should not assume that buses or taxis connect the park with every trailhead.

Best attractions in Smugglers' Notch State Park

The defining attraction is the notch itself, where Route 108 passes between towering rock walls and huge glacial boulders in a narrow forested valley. Smugglers' Notch State Park provides seasonal camping and access to the surrounding mountain environment, while nearby trails lead into the wider Mount Mansfield landscape. The Long Trail crosses the Green Mountains through this region, and Sterling Pond Trail climbs towards a high-elevation pond on the Sterling Mountain side. Bingham Falls, outside the state park in the surrounding public-forest landscape, is a popular waterfall destination reached from the Route 108 area, though access and conditions vary. Hikers can also explore routes towards Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest summit, from other approaches near Stowe. The villages of Stowe and Jeffersonville are useful complements to the natural attractions, offering local history, food and supplies rather than forming part of the state park itself.

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Explore the stunning Green Mountains at Smugglers' Notch Visitor Center, your essential stop for local insights and resources in Stowe, Vermont.

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Best landmarks in Smugglers' Notch State Park

Smugglers' Notch is the principal landmark: a narrow passage between Mount Mansfield and Sterling Mountain marked by steep granite walls, forested slopes and angular boulders left by glacial action. Its physical confinement explains both the route's historic reputation and the distinctive character of the modern road. The Long Trail is another important regional landmark, forming part of the long-distance footpath that follows Vermont's Green Mountains. Sterling Pond, reached by a steep trail on the mountain side of the notch, is notable for its high setting and forest surroundings, while nearby Bingham Falls provides a contrasting waterfall landscape outside the state park's core facilities. Mount Mansfield, visible from parts of the wider region, dominates the southern mountain skyline and gives the surrounding landscape its highest point and distinctive alpine character.

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Smugglers' Notch Visitor Center

Explore the beautiful Green Mountains at Smugglers' Notch Visitor Center, your gateway to adventure in Vermont's stunning outdoor landscape.

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Smugglers' Notch State Park essentials

Currency and Payment

The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Cards and contactless payments are common in Stowe, Jeffersonville and larger accommodation or dining businesses, while cash remains useful for smaller rural purchases and some park or campground arrangements. Smugglers' Notch itself has few commercial services, and cash machines are concentrated in nearby settlements rather than within the mountain pass. Carry essential supplies before entering the notch, especially when travelling outside the main summer and autumn periods, and inform a card provider before international travel if required.

Safety

Mountain weather can change quickly, with wet rock, slippery leaves, wind, early snow and reduced visibility possible outside calm summer conditions. Trails may include steep sections, exposed roots, uneven boulders and stream crossings, while the road through the notch demands careful driving and attention to seasonal restrictions. Avoid climbing on unstable rock or entering closed areas, and take particular care around waterfalls and moving water. Mobile coverage can be inconsistent in the narrow pass, so carry navigation tools, allow extra time and tell someone your intended route when hiking alone.

Emergency Situations

Dial 911 in the United States for police, fire or medical emergencies and give the operator the most precise location possible, including the route, trail name, direction of travel, nearby parking area or visible landmark. In the mountains, rescuers may need additional time to reach a location, particularly in poor weather or where roads are seasonally restricted. Do not rely solely on mobile coverage, and avoid moving an injured person unless remaining in place presents a greater danger. For routine medical care, visitors generally use facilities in surrounding communities such as Stowe or Morrisville.

Do's and Don'ts

Do remain on established trails, respect signs and seasonal closures, pack out rubbish and keep dogs under control where permitted. Do give walkers and vehicles space on the narrow road, and leave natural features, plants and historic traces undisturbed. Do not feed wildlife, approach animals or block access roads and emergency areas for photographs. Swimming or scrambling near waterfalls and streams should never be treated casually, particularly after heavy rain. Respect nearby residents, campground quiet rules and the practical limits of a protected mountain landscape.

Local Tips

Stowe is the most useful southern base for supplies and access towards Mount Mansfield, while Jeffersonville and Cambridge serve visitors approaching from the north. Autumn colour brings particularly heavy demand, so plan parking and trail access early in the day. A visit is more rewarding when combined with time for the road views, rather than treated solely as a drive-through attraction. Weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear, water and offline maps are sensible even for short walks, and visitors should check whether their vehicle is suitable for the current Route 108 conditions.

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics

English	Local	Say it
Hello	Howdy	[haw-dee]
Goodbye	Catch ya later	[ketch ya lay-tur]
Yes	Yup	[yup]
No	Nah	[nah]
Please/You're welcome	Sure thing	[shur thang]
Thank you	Much obliged	[muhch uh-blahy-jd]
Excuse me/Sorry	Pardon	[pahr-dn]
How are you?	How's it goin'?	[hows it go-in]
Fine. And you?	Not too shabby. You?	[naht too shab-bee. yoo]
Do you speak English?	Ya speak English?	[yah speak ing-glish]
I don't understand	I ain't gettin' ya	[ahnt get-tin yah]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Can I check out the grub options, please	[kan eye chek out thuh grub op-shuns, please]
I don't eat meat	I'm a veggie	[ahm uh veh-jee]
Cheers!	Bottoms up!	[bot-uhms up]
I would like to pay, please	I'll settle up now, please	[ahyl set-tl up now, please]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	SOS!	[ess-oh-ess]
Go away!	Scram!	[skram]
Call the Police!	Get the cops!	[get thuh cops]
Call a doctor!	Summon a healer!	[sum-muhn uh hee-lur]
I'm lost	I'm disoriented	[ahm dis-or-ee-en-ted]
I'm ill	I'm under the weather	[ahm un-der thuh weh-thur]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	I'm interested in...	[ahm in-tur-es-ted in]
I'm just looking	Just browsin'	[just brow-zin]
How much is it?	What's the damage?	[wuts thuh dam-ij]
That's too expensive	That's a bit steep	[thats uh bit steep]
Can you lower the price?	Can ya do any better on the price?	[kan yah do any bet-er on thuh price]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	What's the hour?	[wuts thuh ow-ur]
It's one o'clock	It's one	[its wun]
Half past (10)	Ten thirty	[ten thur-tee]
Morning	Mornin'	[morn-in]
Afternoon	Afternoon	[af-ter-noon]
Evening	Evenin'	[even-in]
Yesterday	Yest'day	[yest-duh]
Today	Today	[to-day]
Tomorrow	Tomorra	[tuh-mor-uh]
1	One	[wun]
2	Two	[too]
3	Three	[three]
4	Four	[for]
5	Five	[five]
6	Six	[six]
7	Seven	[sev-en]
8	Eight	[ayt]
9	Nine	[nine]
10	Ten	[ten]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	Where's the...	[wheres thuh]
What's the address?	What's the street?	[wuts thuh street]
Can you show me (on the map)?	Can ya point it out?	[kan yah point it out]
When's the next (bus)?	When's the next ride?	[whens thuh next ryd]
A ticket (to ....)	A pass (to ....)	[uh pass (to)]

History of Smugglers' Notch State Park

A Pass Shaped by Ice

Smugglers' Notch is a glacial mountain pass formed within the northern Green Mountains, where moving ice helped carve a narrow corridor between Mount Mansfield and Sterling Mountain. The resulting cliffs, enormous boulders and steep-sided valley define the landscape encountered today. These geological features are not a human historical period, but they explain why the route became both a natural passage and a dramatic obstacle for travellers crossing the mountains.

Early Routes Through the Mountains

Long before modern tourism, Indigenous peoples travelled through the wider Green Mountain region, using established knowledge of valleys, waterways and mountain passes. European settlement gradually brought farms, timber cutting and local roads into northern Vermont. The notch remained difficult to cross, and its restricted terrain gave it strategic value as a route through otherwise challenging mountain country. The name Smugglers' Notch reflects this history of concealment and evasion rather than a single documented episode.

Smuggling and Mountain Settlement

The pass became associated with smuggling during the early nineteenth century, particularly when people sought to avoid trade restrictions connected with the Embargo period and the War of 1812. Its isolated ravines and difficult terrain also encouraged later stories of illicit movement during Prohibition. At the same time, the surrounding communities developed through farming, timber work and small-scale commerce, while the mountain forests were repeatedly altered by logging and changing land-use practices.

Roads, Recreation and Conservation

Improved road access eventually transformed Smugglers' Notch from a difficult local passage into a scenic destination. The modern route through the pass remains constrained by steep rock walls, and seasonal closures reflect the practical limits of winter travel in this terrain. State ownership and conservation management helped protect the mountain landscape while allowing carefully managed recreation. The state park, campground and nearby public forest now support hiking, camping and scenic travel without removing the area's rugged physical character.