Forest visitors are allowed to picnic anywhere in the Green Mountain National Forest. Certain areas are set up with amenities designed toward picnicking and general day use. Day-use areas are open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. In these areas tables with grills, hand pumps for drinking water, vault toilets and parking areas are provided. All visitors to the Green Mountain National Forest are asked to practice Leave No Trace Principles, such as carry out what you carry in.
Texas Falls: Up the road from the Texas Falls is the picnic area on the left side of the road, bordering the brook. There is a picnic pavilion with 10 tables under it, as well as 13 tables scattered around the area, with grills located at each picnic site. There is no drinking water or garbage service available.
Robert Frost Wayside: The Robert Frost Wayside is a picnic area in a stand of red pine trees located on Route 125. There are picnic tables and grills scattered through the area and an accessible vault toilet. The Forest Service and State of Vermont maintain bulletin boards on site, with area information posted. There is no drinking water available.
Falls of Lana: Located on North Branch, the Falls of Lana picnic area is accessible only by foot. There are picnic tables and grills scattered through the area, and a vault toilet. There is no drinking water available. The Falls of Lana is the starting point of several hikes.
Silver Lake: The Silver Lake day-use area is located on the shore of Silver Lake. Accessible only by foot, the picnic area has 7 picnic tables and grills scattered through the area. There is a hand pump available for drinking water in the campground and an accessible vault toilet.
Big Branch: This day-use area is located off Forest Road 10 near the town of Danby. An accessible vault toilet is found near the parking area. The semi-open picnic area has picnic tables and grills. Fine views of the Route 7 valley are found at the south end of the picnic area.
Hapgood Pond Recreation Area: There are 2 day-use areas consisting of large open areas that have picnic tables and grills. There are also a bathhouse with flush toilets, 2 pavilions - which can be reserved for a small fee with advanced notice, an accessible fishing pier, a hand-carry boat launch, a swim beach (no lifeguard on duty, swim at own risk) and drinking fountains throughout the area. The $4.00 per vehicle day-use fee can be paid at the self-service fee station at the entrance gate.
Grout Pond Recreation Area: This recreation area is off of the Kelley Stand Road near the town of Stratton. An open day-use area with picnic tables, and a barrier-free vault toilet can be found near the host cabin in the upper section of Grout Pond Recreation Area. Down near the parking area there are another accessible vault toilet, a hand pump for drinking water, a 200-foot hand-carry boat portage with an unloading area and 5 day-use picnic areas with tables and grills. Another day-use picnic site can be found along the northern edge of Grout Pond by following the Pond Trail. Plenty of hiking opportunities also exist with over 10 miles of trails, marked with blue diamonds.
White Rocks: This recreation area is tucked in the Green Mountain National Forest off of Route 140 near the town of Wallingford. Next to the parking area is a large mowed open play area with picnic tables and grills. Other tables and grills can be found along the wooded path leading to a hand pump for drinking water. There is an accessible vault toilet near the play area. Two day-hike opportunities, White Rocks Cliffs and Ice Beds Trail lead from the parking area.
• Day Use Area-Recreation Opportunity Guides
• Individual Picnic-Recreation Opportunity Guides (North Half of the GMNF)
• Campground-Recreation Opportunity Guides
• Leave No Trace Principles-Recreation Opportunity Guide