Free entry to Vermont State Parks, Historic Sites on Vermont Days, June 10-11
June 1, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Little River State Park in Waterbury is a popular state park for camping, boating, swimming, hiking and biking. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti.
Vermonters can enjoy free admission to Vermont State Parks and Vermont State Historic Sites on its annual Vermont Days, this year Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11.
“With free admission to Vermont’s 55 state parks and six state-owned historic sites, Vermont residents and out-of-state visitors are invited to celebrate summer in Vermont by spending the day on the lake, experiencing Vermont’s past, or casting a fishing line during Vermont Days,” said Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham.
In addition, the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier will offer free admission on Saturday, June 10. A variety of family-friendly events are also scheduled at the parks and historic sites for the weekend including a free concert at the Waterbury Center State Park at the Waterbury Reservoir on June 11.
Special events around Vermont
June 10
Free Fishing Day: Statewide. Vermont's Free Fishing Day gives both resident and non-resident anglers the opportunity to go fishing in Vermont for the day without a license. While it will be free to fish across the entire state on June 10 and anglers without a license can fish on that day, anglers still need to follow the state fishing regulations. Learn more about Free Fishing Day on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website.
Free Family Fishing Festival: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station, 14 Bell Hill Road, Grand Isle. (map) Designed for young anglers and families, this free event offers basic fishing instruction, free fishing equipment to borrow, and the chance for kids to catch big trout in the hatchery pond. The day will include a variety of activities covering fish biology, fly casting, law digest and regulations, lure-making and fish-cleaning. Learn more about the festival on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website.
Vermont History Museum: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 109 State St., Montpelier. Free admission to Vermont residents and nonresidents. Exhibits include “Freedom & Unity, New American Globe: James Wilson of Vermont,” and “Vermonters at Work,” offering a look at the history of the Green Mountain State it people.
June 11
The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is one of six sites offering free admission on Vermont Days. A special celebration is planned for July 11. Photo courtesy the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
Groton Nature Center Grand Opening: 11 a.m to 2 p.m., 1595 Boulder Beach Road, Groton. New facility at Groton State Forest will feature tours of new exhibits, interpretive programs for all ages, light refreshments, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Nearby Boulder Beach State Park will be free entry for swimming and boating, and its concession stand will be open.
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site: Free entry, ribbon cutting at 2 p.m., 3780 Vermont Route 100A, Plymouth. A special new exhibit “Coolidge’s Contemporaries: The ascension of early 20th century world leaders” opens. The Orton Family, proprietors of the Vermont Country Store, will speak about the Coolidge legacy in Vermont. Refreshments.
Green Mountain Brass Band: 2-4 p.m. at Waterbury Center State Park. Free concert by this traditional band featuring over 20 brass and percussion musicians who play a variety of traditional and contemporary music, classics, show tunes, pop, jazz, rock, and of course, marches.
Anyone needing accessible accommodations for any of these events may contact Elle O’Casey at elle.ocasey@vermont.gov or 802-760-9967. More information is online at vermontdays.com.