Located between the Canadian border to the north and the Massachusetts border to the south, Vermont is known for its picturesque landscapes and craggy mountains.

Vermont has a national park, but its state parks are some of the best in the country.

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1. Underhill State Park

The best park for summiting a mountain.

One of the most popular places to hike Vermont's highest peak is the edge of the Mt Mansfield State Forest. It has some amazing trails, such as Sunset Ridge, a rocky rib that climbs towards Mt Mansfield's summit and a view of the entire ridge line of the Green Mountains.

The park is at an elevation of 2000 feet and has four trails to the summit, as well as a historic Civilian Corps road and a pavilion that can be used by group tent sites. It's a good idea to watch out for the Wampahoofus, a monster with one short leg and one long one, and it's ideal to travel the steep slopes of Mt Mansfield.

When the park gates are not open in the winter, skiers park along the road to get to the lines.

Brilliant fall foliage covers the valleys below Camel's Hump Mountain (4083 feet).
Camel's Hump is one of the state's most popular parks – each year thousands of hikers “bag” the summit or trek through the premises to get to Vermont's iconic end-to-end Long Trail © KenWiedemann / Getty Images

2. Camel's Hump State Park

It's the best park for hikers.

Camel's Hump is Vermont's third- highest peak at 4083 feet. It is one of the state's most popular parks because it has no facilities other than trail access parking lots.

There is a trail for every hiker here, from the popular Burrows Trail, which leads to the landing just below Camel's Hump, to the StairMaster-like Forest City Trail.

If you want to see the wreck of a World War II fighter plane, you can take a detour off the Monroe Trail. There are many overnight options for backpackers, including an enclosed shelter and numerous campsites and lean tos.

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3. Lake St Catherine State Park

It's the best park for families with children.

Nestled on the shores of Lake St Catherine, this state park has 50 campsites, 11 lean-tos, a boat launch and a vast multi-use trail network.

You can fish for panfish in the lake or wakeboard or waterski. The park has beautiful beaches and large lawns in the day use area.

It is one of the best state parks for families because of the playground. Disc golfer will be happy with the park's course.

A river running through a tree-lined gorge
Quechee Gorge is one of the state's most prominent natural features © James Casil / Shutterstock

4. Quechee State Park

It's the best park for river and gorge.

With the Ottuaquechee River running through it today, it is one of the most prominent natural features. The top of the gorge is where most people take in the views.

The campground and day use areas include a skeet range, baseball diamond, picnic area, horseshoes and campsites. You can take the trail to see the gorge bottom.

There are a lot of historical sites to visit in the vicinity of the park, as well as great food and ice cream.

5. Kingsland Bay State Park

It's the best park to relax on the water.

Lake access and Adirondack views are the most popular attractions for visitors to Kingsland Bay. There's a 1790's house, a banquet hall and an old theater on the property you can rent for events, but it's the vast lawn rolling down to the water that's the main draw.

You can either rent a boat or paddle over to the hiking trails on the lake.

A cedar-pine forest on a bluff overlooking the lake is one of the unique flora found at Kingsland Bay, which was originally a girl's camp.

The park is close to the town. There are several historical sites near it.

Colorful fall foliage surrounding a car-free road in Vermont
Once part of the Underground Railroad and a route for Prohibition-era hooch smugglers, Smugglers' Notch is now a winding scenic road © Naphat Photography / Getty Images

6. Smugglers' Notch State Park

It's the best park for winter.

After Thomas Jefferson banned international trade, the road that used to be part of the Underground Railroad became a scenic road. Hike sections of the Long Trail north and south are visited by visitors.

Though the road is not open in the winter, the park is still a great place for ice climbers and skiers to go. The area is popular with sledders. There are 20 campsites, 14 lean-tos and a bathroom at the park. It's best for tents and vans.

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7. Burton Island State Park

It's the best park for a trip.

It is nearly impossible to get a reservation for the Burton Island State Park unless you are a family.

With three miles of shoreline and plenty of swimming on all sides, it is just as enjoyable to visit for the day. Even though it's just a 10 minute ferry ride from the mainland, the park feels remote because it's only accessible by boat. You can swimming.

The park has an agricultural past. Visitors are well-fed at a camp store and restaurant.

A green field with a long wood and wire fence and a mountain in the background
The historic Billings Farm & Museum is part of Vermont's Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park © Esposito Photography / Shutterstock

8. Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

It's the best park for history.

On the edge of Woodstock, Vermont, there is a national historical park with activities for nature lovers and history buffs. The 600 acres of land on one side of the street is open to the public.

It would take days to explore the entire park and you can get to know the mansion and its gardens. The national park was built on their land.

The article was first published in February.