Top state parks
State ParkElmore State Park
State ParkQuechee State Park
State ParkWilgus State Park
State ParkMount Philo State Park
State ParkCoolidge State Park
State ParkCrystal Lake State Park
State ParkEmerald Lake State Park
State ParkAscutney State Park
State ParkAllis State Park
State ParkBranbury State Park
State ParkCamp Plymouth State Park
State ParkBrighton State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (35)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmore State Park | Lamoille County | — | Morrisville | 3 |
| Quechee State Park | Windsor County | — | Hartford | 4 |
| Wilgus State Park | Rutland County | — | Poultney | 3 |
| Mount Philo State Park | Addison County | — | Charlotte | 4 |
| Coolidge State Park | Windsor County | — | Mount Holly | 3 |
| Crystal Lake State Park | Orleans County | — | Newport | 2 |
| Emerald Lake State Park | Bennington County | — | Danby | 3 |
| Ascutney State Park | Windsor County | — | Windsor | 4 |
| Allis State Park | Orange County | — | Williamstown | 3 |
| Branbury State Park | Addison County | — | Salisbury | 3 |
| Camp Plymouth State Park | Windsor County | — | Mount Holly | 3 |
| Brighton State Park | Essex County | — | Stratford | 2 |
| Sand Bar State Park | Chittenden County | — | Milton | 4 |
| Maidstone State Park | Essex County | — | Stratford | 2 |
| Grand Isle State Park | Addison County | — | Vergennes | 3 |
| Little River State Park | Washington County | — | Waterbury | 3 |
| Jamaica State Park | Windham County | — | Jamaica | 3 |
| Silver Lake State Park | Windsor County | — | Randolph | 3 |
| Smugglers' Notch State Park | Lamoille County | — | Johnson | 3 |
| Townshend State Park | Windham County | — | Townshend | 3 |
| Ricker Pond State Park | Caledonia County | — | Woodsville | 3 |
| Thetford Hill State Park | Orange County | — | Lyme | 3 |
| New Discovery State Park | Washington County | — | Hardwick | 3 |
| Underhill State Park | Chittenden County | — | Jericho | 3 |
| Stillwater State Park | Caledonia County | — | Barre | 3 |
| Knight Point State Park | Grand Isle County | — | Cumberland Head | 3 |
| Woodford State Park | Bennington County | — | Bennington | 4 |
| Molly Stark State Park | Windham County | — | Dover | 4 |
| Sentinel Rock State Park | Orleans County | — | Newport | 2 |
| Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park | Rutland County | — | Castleton | 3 |
| Kettle Pond State Park | Washington County | — | Barre | 3 |
| Gifford Woods State Park | Rutland County | — | Mendon | 3 |
| Molly's Falls Pond State Park | Washington County | — | Hardwick | 3 |
| Half Moon Pond State Park | Rutland County | — | Castleton | 3 |
| Green River Reservoir State Park | Lamoille County | — | Morrisville | 3 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.