It’s always great to take a step back and enjoy nature. Stopping to smell the flowers, breathe in the fresh air, or enjoy the green trees is a great way to connect with nature. With so many ways to enjoy nature, Aitken State Forest has it all.
If you’re staying in a Killington condo rental, here are some of the Killington, VT outdoor summer activities in Aitken State Forest.
History of the Park
Nestled in the hills of Vermont, the Aitken State Forest is only minutes away from Rutland, VT. The park is accessed from Mendon. Opened in 1912, Aitken has been the region’s area for firewood and timber for over 100 years. Many come to the park to enjoy many recreational activities, like hiking, biking, and camping. Hunters come to the park during their hunting season as well.
In the ’30s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camped in the forest of Aitken state park. They began their forest management work to improve the area. The CCC began thinning the Norway spruce and white pine trees to prevent future wildfires.
Aitken Park and the neighboring parks add to the regional landscape. These parks play an essential role in sustaining the plant and animal life of the area.
Trails
Aitken State Park has two main trails.
The Bald Mountain Trail, which covers about 3.5 miles of trail, is some prime hiking Killington VT has to offer. The trail offers beautiful vistas, perfect for photographing. The trail also has serious birdwatching potential, as well as wildlife spotting. The trail leads towards the summit of Bald Mountain and offers many elevation changes. Spend the day enjoying the beautiful Killington weather as you look out from one of the trail’s four rock promontories!
The Girl Scout Loop Trail is north of the Bald Mountain Trail kiosk. This trail follows the loop that was part of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp. A Girl Scout Camp was then located here. The trail follows flat terrain and loops back to the beginning. This trail is also part of the snowmobile trails.
Things to Do
The park offers so much more than hiking! And if you have a dog who loves the outdoors, be sure to check out our pet friendly Killington rentals.
For those who are visiting in the winter, the park offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. These recreational activities can be enjoyed on any of the trails of woods within the forest. Skiers can also explore off-trail as well.
Snowmobiling is also permitted on the trails! VAST has maintained trails north of the Camp Loop road. Some of the trails intersect with the Cross-country skiing trails. Visitors should take caution from each other.
The trails also offer a great spot for mountain bikes! Mountain bikes are only allowed on drained surfaces, so the hiking trails don’t allow for biking. The East Road is a dead-end and allows for mountain biking but is a short ride. If you need more mountain biking, we put together a guide to some of the best mountain biking in Killington.
Aitken State Forest also offers camping! The park offers primitive camping, which allows you to set up camp anywhere. Campers can come and primitively camp between June and early October. The guidelines state you must be at least 100 feet from water and 200 feet from any trail. Be mindful and leave no trace after.
Book Your Stay
Killington has tons of things to do outdoors in the summer, and we have the perfect vacation rental for what ever you want to do! Take a look at our offerings, and book your dates today!
Where to Stay
The Aitken State Forest is minutes away from our Killington rentals. There are plenty of Killington condo rentals to choose from, whether you’re staying alone or if you’re staying with the entire family. Each rental has updated bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and a community washer and dryer. The rooms also come equipped with high-speed internet and cable TV. Kick back and relax in a rental of your choosing to enjoy your time off the trails.
Ready for your hiking adventure? Contact Killington Group today!
