Trail stewards: Give Vermont’s muddy trails a spring break
April 2, 2026 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Mud season on many Vermont trails means soft, muddy and just wet trail conditions. This file photo shows a section of the Duxbury Window trail in early spring. Photo by Lily LaRegina
As spring arrives and snow melts, mud season conditions are developing across Vermont with mountains and trails particularly prone to damage if people get out too soon to pursue their favorite activities.
The Green Mountain Club encourages trail users to avoid muddy trails this time of year and to be alert for seasonal trail or road closures in place to protect vegetation and pathways during this sensitive season.
“During mud season, hikers can help us do the important work of protecting the trails and fragile mountain environments,” said Keegan Tierney, Director of Field Programs for the Green Mountain Club. “This time of year, muddy trails are oversaturated with moisture and more vulnerable to erosion, while the rare and fragile vegetation in the mountain’s alpine zones lose their protective winter layers of snow and ice.”
The trail stewards also remind Vermonters that the state Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation issues trail closures on state land as conditions change. Trail updates can be found on the Green Mountain Club website and on the website TrailFinder.
The best way for hikers to protect Vermont’s mountains and ensure that the trails are in good condition for hiking season is by avoiding high-elevation muddy trails in early spring and instead exploring low-elevation routes that dry out sooner and are generally more durable, Tierney said.
Follow the Green Mountain Club and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation on social media to keep up with mud season trail closures and condition reports over the next several weeks. The end of mud season is typically Memorial Day weekend.
Early spring on the Long Trail near Rt. 2 finds some packed snow and ice yet to melt. File photo by Nigel Bates
Trails give hillsides a path to drain. Also the Long Trail near Rt. 2. File photo by Nigel Bates
Some tips from the Green Mountain Club:
Closures and signs: In addition to checking for trail closures online at TrailFinder and GMC’s Trail Updates, know that not all active road or trail closures may be listed. It’s important to look for and follow posted signs along dirt roads and at trailheads. Always evaluate conditions, which can change daily: if a trail or road is very saturated, find a different place to hike.
Recommended hikes: When high-elevation trails are closed during mud season, seek out gravel and paved trails and check for mud-season-friendly hike recommendations from the Green Mountain Club.
Prep for hiking season with workshops and resources at the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center such as an upcoming End-to-Ender's Panel. Learn about the Side-to-Side Hiking Challenge or gear up to hike the VT5 this year. There also are opportunities to consider taking on a Volunteer Trail Steward role.
Learn more about why Vermont trails get so muddy and how the club staff and volunteers manage mud. You can even join a volunteer trail work day to help get the trails ready for summer hiking season.
Founded in 1910, The Green Mountain Club is a nonprofit based in Waterbury with staff and volunteers who care for about 500 miles of hiking trails in Vermont, including the Long Trail. It supports the hiking community with education and information to enjoy Vermont’s many trails.
More online at greenmountainclub.org.