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Wilgus State Park
Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 -- Related Regions: Vermont • Central-Vermont
Please note, this review is older than 3 years
Web site: Wilgus State Park
- Ascutney, VT - 802-674-5422
- 2003 Rates: $16
Mary Ellen C gave us this review on 08/01/03.
Approx Dates of Stay: 7/29/03 - 7/31/03. Overall Campground Rating: excellent. What stood out? This is truly the sparkling little gem in Vermont's excellent state park system! It is small - only 19 tent sites and 6 lean-tos - and located right on the Connecticut River. It is a very peaceful, adult-oriented park, geared to paddlers. Canoes and kayaks are for rent at $15.00 per half day. They will even drive you upstream and let you drift and paddle downstream back to the park. The park is also a bonanza for birders! I have never seen so many different species of birds in one place. And if you keep an eye on the sky, you'll see a Bald Eagle dive for dinner. Owners and Staff: The rangers, husband and wife, and all their assistants are delightfully friendly and helpful. Their dogs are cuties and their long-haired calico cat loves to visit campers at their sites and maybe mooch a little dinner. Camp landscaping and surroundings: Designed and built by the CCC in the 1930s, the Ranger Station has a lovely pavilion where you can play games or just chat and they will even build a fire for you in the massive fieldstone fireplace! Wildflowers abound, but so do the flowers placed in pots and half barrels and carefully tended and mulched beds. The landscaping is first class! Two features of this park stand out: Rather than just having interpretive signs located on a nature trail (that practically no one ever gets around to walking on), they have located the information throughout the park. I learned so much! Did you know that the Gray Fox has retractable claws and can climb a tree just like a cat? And pine needles have lots of vitamin C, and are pleasant to chew on like a toothpick! I have saved the very best feature 'til last: Between the waterfront sites and the river, there is a 12 foot wide grass path with benches facing the river all along the way. It is kept beautifully mowed and with the tall trees meeting overhead, it reminds me of a quiet green cathedral. It is pure enchantment, that special place. A PERFECT place for a wedding, but no one has taken advantage of it yet........
Overall Site Quality: excellent. Good/Bad site #'s: We particularly loved site #12, which was spacious enough to hold our large tent and shelter. We also noted that they have lovely lean-to sites, including one that is handicapped accessible. Campsite hookups: primitive tent. Campsite Descriptions: wooded, semi-private, large and spacious, sandy bottom, picnic table, fire ring, group camping area. While the park is close to Route 5, we did not find the road noise objectionable on our site. In fact, we constantly remarked on how peaceful this park is.
Clean restrooms and showers? yes. Restrooms and showers need updating? no. Coin-metered showers. Are restrooms accessible from all sites? yes. Additional comments on restrooms and showers: The womens' restroom had lovely posters about wildflowers and edible plants found in the forest, as well as a vase of FRESH wildflowers!
Activities and Amenities: river, fishing, boating, boat rentals, pets allowed, They have a Saturday evening volleyball game for everyone, as well as a campfire and marshmallow roast. What is nearby? restaurants, grocery stores, nature trails. Your paid camper pass entitles you to free admission to any other state park in the area. We enjoyed visiting Ascutney State Park about 3 miles up the road and picnicking at the top of the mountain. Last comments: One of the nicest state parks in all of New England! Don't miss it!
Related Regions: Vermont • Central-Vermont
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