The Green Mountain Club periodically updates this page with trail closures, conditions, and reports on the Long Trail, Appalachian Trail in Vermont, and Northeast Kingdom Trails. We encourage hikers to share their trail observations with the Club either by contacting our Visitor Center or filling out the form at the bottom of this page. Please be aware that all such trail updates sent to the Club may be used and publicized on this page with the source cited.
GMC also posts conditions reports frequently in our Facebook Group.
Trail Changes & Closures
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Long Trail Relocations and Closures
Including:Temporary Shelter Closure at Beaver Meadow Lodge, Long Trail at Prospect Rock (Johnson)
Parking and Trailhead Access Alerts
Including: Lincoln Gap Parking Closure (October), Parking Enforcement on Camel’s Hump Road in Huntington; Cloudland Road Access to AT (October 2025)
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
Including: Cloudland Road Access to AT, Fire Safety Precautions, Trail Magic Guidelines, Food Storage Regulations
Resolved Alerts
Including: Clarendon Gorge Bridge, Pico Camp
Long Trail Trail and Shelter Relocations and Closures
from south to north
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Seth Warner Shelter Relocation
The new Seth Warner shelter is complete and is available for overnight use. It is located two miles north of the old site, at about 5.45 miles north of the Vermont-Massachusetts border and 5.4 miles south of Congdon Shelter. It is down a short spur trail to the west/left. There is a new composting privy and the water source is located north of the shelter on the Long Trail. There is no overflow tenting at Seth Warner, though dispersed camping is allowed following GMNF and Leave No Trace principles (see link). There is currently no bear box, so plan to use a bear canister or a proper bear hang.
The old Seth Warner site, at mile 2.8NB, was deconstructed and decommissioned in Fall 2022. Dispersed camping is permitted in this area, but hikers should not use the old Seth Warner site to allow it to revegetate.
New Seth Warner coordinates: 42.79804, -73.11836
Glastenbury Fire Tower Remains Closed.
Please do not climb or otherwise use the Glastenbury fire tower. Green Mountain National Forest is in the process of securing funding to repair the tower.
Stratton Pond Area Trail Relocations, new Shelter Open
The ongoing LT/AT and Lye Brook Trail around Stratton Pond relocations are complete. Both trails were moved upslope to a more sustainable location to help protect the pond’s ecosystem. Please follow new signage at the site to stay on trail. You can still hike to and enjoy the pond’s edge via a short spur trail to the Willis Ross Clearing.
There is a new shelter available at the Stratton View Site. From the LT/AT junction with the Stratton Pond Trail, follow signs to the Lye Brook Trail. The relocated spur is about .6 miles around the west side of the pond. There is a moldering privy and tenting capacity here as well.
Sunrise Shelter Relocation Complete; Shelter Open.
Sunrise Shelter has moved south. The new 3.5-walled shelter sleeps 14-18, and a moldering privy, constructed in 2022, is located nearby. There is no designated space for tent camping at this site. The water source is a small stream that crosses the LT about 75 feet south of the spur trail.
The new site is about 1.5 miles south of the old site, and .2 miles south of the Long Trail’s intersection with the Chittenden Brook Trail. Its coordinates are: 43.8234832, -72.9459424
Lake Mansfield Trail Bridge Closed
Due to structural concerns, the bridge on the Lake Mansfield Trail is closed as of 8/23/24. The trail remains open, and hikers will have to ford the stream until the bridge is replaced. In times of high water it may be a hazardous crossing. At this time, there is no timeline on the bridge’s replacement.
First Bridge on Sunset Ridge Trail Closed
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreations and Vermont State Parks have closed the footbridge over the first stream crossing on the Sunset Ridge Trail, located adjacent to the trailhead/register box sign-in, as of 11/1/24. Hikers should follow a short orange-flagged detour, directing hikers across the river and back onto the trail. The bridge is marked for early-season replacement in spring 2025.
The Long Trail at Prospect Rock, Johnson, has been relocated to avoid the cliff area. The new permanent route of the LT uses the relocation that is in effect annually when the cliff is closed for nesting peregrine falcons. Prospect Rock, when open, can now be reached via a short spur trail to the north. Please follow all posted signage, including closures for nesting season. As of July 15, 2025, the nesting falcons have left the location, so the spur trail is currently open. This reroute changes the distance of the trail segment from Route 15 to Prospect Rock Road, from 1.7 miles to 1.5 miles.
Parking and Trail Access Closures
Parking Enforcement on Camel’s Hump Road in Huntington
Parking on the side of the road is not permitted on Camel’s Hump Road in Huntington. Please consider carpooling or visiting on off-peak days. If parking lots are full please turn around and find an alternative nearby hike. Beginning summer 2025, the town of Huntington plans to install new no-parking signs along Camel’s Hump Road and enforcing a parking ordinance. Vehicles that park on the side of the road may be subject to a ticket and/or towing. This ordinance is for safety, so that emergency vehicles can access the trailhead and residences on the road.
Winooski River Footbridge, Parking Closure
Parking is not allowed on the south side of the footbridge. The only current parking for the bridge is on Route 2. Map it.
Seasonal Road Closure: Lincoln Gap Road
Lincoln Gap Road leading to Lincoln Gap Long Trail trailhead access and parking is closed for winter as of October 15. Barriers are installed at the bottom of the road, where hikers may park and walk up the road to access the trailhead, adding about a mile of distance. Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen May 15.
Seasonal Road Closure: VT-108 Through Smugglers’ Notch
Scenic VT-108 through Smugglers’ Notch between Cambridge and Stowe closed on November 3 and is expected to remain closed for the 2025-2026 winter season. Hikers looking to walk the notch road or access trailheads within the notch can park at Barnes Camp on the Stowe side, or at the parking area past Smuggler’s Notch Resort at the road closure barriers on the Cambridge side. This adds approximately a 1.5 mile walk or 0.5 mile walk to the height of the notch, respectively. Please follow all closure and parking signage.
Note that at certain points of Stowe Resort’s winter season, parking at Barnes Camp may be limited to 90 minutes. Alternatively, hikers can park in Stowe Resort’s Mansfield lots (parking fees depend on dates) or take the Mountain Road Shuttle from Stowe Village.
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
Forest Agencies Issue Fire Restrictions in Vermont
Hikers, campers, and recreators should be aware of heightened fire danger and fire restrictions throughout the Vermont due to dry conditions. These conditions are expected to persist through at least October. Despite occasional recent rain, much of the state remains in moderate to severe drought conditions and campfires are proving very difficult to extinguish in these dry conditions. As of September 22, the Green Mountain National Forest has issued fire restrictions on the national forest, banning any fires built or maintained outside of the provided metal fire pits and rings and pole-mounted grills at developed campgrounds and recreation sites. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation have similarly issued a statewide ban on debris burns. Ensure any allowed fires are completely extinguished before you move on: Douse thoroughly with water, stir remaining coals thoroughly, and ensure the fire is cool to the touch before moving on. Local fire resources have responded to at least 13 wildfires since August 1, and have had to extinguish countless more unattended campfires. Do your part to ensure we all stay fire safe.
Notice on “Trail Magic” Activities in the Green Mountain National Forest
Hikers and “trail angels” (volunteers) please be advised that the Green Mountain National Forest has issued new guidance on “trail magic” for hikers and backpackers. This guidance comes in response to an increase in unattended food and beverages, leading to concerns around bear activity and waste disposal.
All “trail magic” — including water, cold drinks, snacks, prepared foods — may only be given out with a volunteer physically present. Any trail magic left unattended will be removed and disposed. This guidance applies to cached food and resupplies as well. Thank you for your helping us keep the Long Trail System litter free and a safe place for humans and wildlife to co-habitat.
Black Bear Activity
Forest Service officials announced July 24, 2019, that they are implementing a Forest Order for the entire Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) geared toward minimizing black bear and human encounters and interactions. The order specifies proper food storage and prohibits leaving food, or refuse on National Forest system lands in Vermont. The Order was issued to provide for visitor safety and the conservation of bears. See more information in the press release.
The following acts are prohibited on the Green Mountain National Forest:
- Except while being consumed, all food, food containers and refuse shall be stored in a closed motor vehicle or suspended at least twelve (12) feet above the ground and not less than six (6) feet horizontally from any object. Bear boxes and bear canisters designed specifically for food and/or refuse storage are acceptable.
- All refuse containing food materials or containers shall be deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose, removed from the Green Mountain National Forest to be disposed of properly, or stored in the manner prescribed for food in #1 above (36 CFR 261.58(cc)).
We have had many questions about whether Ursacks are allowed with the GMNF order. Ursacks are currently acceptable under the Food Storage Closure Order, but as with any newer device or technology, they could be unacceptable in the future if GMNF sees issues with them. We recommend that they be used in conjunction with the odor-proof OPSaks recommended by Ursack.
Resolved Alerts
(in chronological order)
UPDATE: Temporary Shelter Closure: Beaver Meadow Lodge
Beaver Meadow Lodge, which sits about one mile off the LT east of Madonna Mountain, is reopened for use following repairs.
UPDATE: Long Trail Detour on Duxbury Road (River Rd.), Bolton
The Duxbury Road Construction Closure is complete, and the road is fully open to two-way traffic, including hikers, as of November 26.
UPDATE: Clarendon Gorge Bridge NOW OPEN
The bridge over the Clarendon Gorge is re-opened after repairs, as of 5/16/2025. Hikers can proceed on trail and over the bridge as usual. The bridge was closed due to a structural failure as of 4/17/25.
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