Pets allowed
Allowed
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

For quiet camping, easy hiking, and incredible fire tower views, look no further than Molly Stark State Park in southern Vermont. This small park makes for a perfect day or weekend trip. The park covers 148 acres and includes a small campground, a picnic area, and a nice 1.6-mile hike up to the top of Mount Olga (2,418 feet).

Remnants of the old Hogback Ski Resort can still be found on top of the mountain if you do some poking around. The resort was open for business from 1946 to 1986, and it is one of the best "lost" ski areas in Vermont to explore. Please note that the buildings and lifts are not on state property, they are on abutting land owned by the town of Marlboro. All trails are part of a conservation area, maintained and open to the public. The fire tower on the top of Mount Olga was originally located in Townsend State Park to the north. It was moved to the top of Mount Olga in 1955.

The campground is quiet, with private, shaded sites, a playground, and hot showers. This is a great campground for families with small kids. With the exception of early October and fall foliage season, the park is lightly trafficked. Molly Stark State Park is just a few miles south of the town of Wilmington, where you'll find a beautiful swimming beach, restaurants, and shopping. Just a mile to the east, you will come upon what is known as the 100-mile view on Hogback Mountain. There is a great gift shop here, plus the small, but super cool, Southern Vermont Natural History Museum.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

State Park Fee

Pros

Small and quiet. Private campground. Great views.

Cons

Road noise.

Features

ADA accessible
Showers
Campgrounds + Campsites
Flushing toilets
Potable water
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Playground
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.