--- title: "Best Snowmobile Trails in Island Pond, Vermont: 3 Routes Worth Riding" description: Discover the top snowmobile trails in Island Pond, Vermont, featuring stunning views and convenient access to food and lodging for an unforgettable adventure. image: https://blog.trailintel.com/hubfs/jon-sailer-FdEcspKddCY-unsplash.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.trailintel.com/best-snowmobile-trails-in-island-pond-vermont-3-routes-worth-riding#main-content) [![TrailIntel](https://blog.trailintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TrailIntel-stackedLogos-01%20(5).png?width=1404&height=915&name=TrailIntel-stackedLogos-01%20(5).png)Homepage](https://app.trailintel.com/map) [View Map](https://app.trailintel.com/map) [View Map](https://app.trailintel.com/map) ![](https://blog.trailintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/jon-sailer-FdEcspKddCY-unsplash.jpg?width=8256&height=5504&name=jon-sailer-FdEcspKddCY-unsplash.jpg) # Best Snowmobile Trails in Island Pond, Vermont: 3 Routes Worth Riding ![Monica Gray](https://blog.trailintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MonicaGrayHeadshot.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=MonicaGrayHeadshot.jpg) Monica Gray October 13, 2026 Island Pond is known across New England as the snowmobiling capital of Vermont, and once you spend a weekend on its trail system, you will understand why. The best routes out of this Northeast Kingdom village are Trail 2001, also called Bad Bob's Trail or Juliano's Trail; Trails 142 and 114 loop through Brighton State Park; and Trail 2000 out to Lewis Pond Overlook. Together, these routes give riders miles of groomed corridor trail, lake views, mountain overlooks, and easy access back to town for fuel and food. ## Why Is Island Pond Known for Snowmobiling? Island Pond sits inside the town of Brighton, a small Northeast Kingdom village of roughly 700 people built around a lake of the same name. It is less than a half hour from the Canadian border and about ninety minutes north of Montpelier. The village has long punched above its weight for winter recreation. On heavy snow weekends, sleds genuinely outnumber cars on Main Street, and riders travel from across New England just to spend a few days on the local network. Much of that reputation comes down to trail quality. The Brighton Snowmobile Club maintains around 125 miles of trail in and around town, all tied into the statewide system run by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, or VAST. VAST has groomed Vermont's trail network since 1967 and now oversees close to 5,000 miles statewide, so Island Pond functions as one of the busiest hubs on that map rather than an isolated riding area. ### Route 1: Trail 2001, Bad Bob's Trail Locally known as Juliano's Trail, Trail 2001 is a 14.2-mile ride that runs from the Drift Dusters trail system near Holland, through the town of Morgan, and into downtown Island Pond. A local rider built it in 2004 to connect his home to the VAST network, and the route now carries hundreds of sledders through Morgan Center before dropping riders right into the heart of the village. It is a great ride for anyone who wants a true point-to-point trail with a clear destination at the end. ### Route 2: Trails 142 and 114 Through Brighton State Park For a shorter, scenery-focused ride, head for Trails 142 and 114, both of which pass directly through the 152-acre Brighton State Park inside the village limits. Expect a mix of quiet woods and open lake views, with the added convenience of starting and ending only minutes from town. This route works well as a warm-up run on your first morning or as an easy add-on before a longer loop. ### Route 3: Trail 2000 to Lewis Pond Overlook Riders looking for a payoff view should point their sleds toward Lewis Pond Overlook, reached via Trail 2000 and maintained by the Brighton Snowmobile Club. The overlook delivers a sweeping panorama of the surrounding mountains and forest, making it one of the more photographed stops in the region. Plan to pause here, since the view alone is worth the ride. ### Bonus Stop: Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Several trails in the Island Pond network pass near the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, home to a wide range of wildlife, including gray jays known to swoop close to trail users. Riding through the refuge adds a quieter, more remote feel to a day out, and it is a good reminder to watch for wildlife crossing the trail, especially early or late in the day. ![spencer-davis-6k8vRRsyABE-unsplash](https://blog.trailintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/spencer-davis-6k8vRRsyABE-unsplash.jpg?width=3648&height=4560&name=spencer-davis-6k8vRRsyABE-unsplash.jpg) ## Where Can Snowmobilers Eat and Stay in Island Pond? Part of what makes Island Pond such an easy base is how close everything sits to the trail system. The Essex House and Tavern on Cross Street offers food, drinks, and rooms just off the trail, and the Island Pond Country Inn provides lodging within walking distance of downtown. Both put riders close enough to town that a fuel stop or lunch break does not eat up half the day. ## What Should You Know Before Snowmobiling in Island Pond? Island Pond's snowmobile season generally runs from mid-December through early April, though exact dates shift with snowfall. Every rider needs a current VAST trail pass and a registered, insured sled, and it is worth checking grooming reports before you head out since conditions can change quickly in the Northeast Kingdom. Pack for cold, plan your fuel stops, and let someone know your route for the day. ## Ride With Confidence Using TrailIntel Island Pond's trail network is extensive, and even experienced riders can lose track of junctions on a full day loop. TrailIntel gives you real-time trail and road conditions, hazard alerts, and points of interest for every stop on this list, from Brighton State Park to Lewis Pond Overlook to the nearest place to warm up in town. Download TrailIntel from the App Store or Google Play before your next trip to Island Pond, and always know what the trail ahead looks like. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are the best snowmobile trails in Island Pond, Vermont? Three of the best routes are Trail 2001 (Bad Bob's/Juliano's Trail), Trails 142 and 114 through Brighton State Park, and Trail 2000 toward Lewis Pond Overlook. ### When is snowmobile season in Island Pond? The season generally runs from mid-December through early April, depending on snowfall and trail conditions. ### Do you need a VAST trail pass to snowmobile in Island Pond? Yes. Riders using the VAST trail network need the appropriate current trail pass and must meet Vermont's registration requirements. ### How many miles of snowmobile trails are around Island Pond? The Brighton Snowmobile Club maintains roughly 125 miles of trails in and around Island Pond that connect to Vermont's larger VAST network. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fblog.trailintel.com%2Fbest-snowmobile-trails-in-island-pond-vermont-3-routes-worth-riding](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fblog.trailintel.com%2Fbest-snowmobile-trails-in-island-pond-vermont-3-routes-worth-riding) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://blog.trailintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/zab-consulting-pKeQSunIVo4-unsplash-1.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=zab-consulting-pKeQSunIVo4-unsplash-1.jpg) Where to Snowmobile in New York Before January 1](https://blog.trailintel.com/where-to-snowmobile-in-new-york-before-january-1) ### [![](https://blog.trailintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/marketwake-GMUrPDl8A_E-unsplash.jpg?width=4500&height=3375&name=marketwake-GMUrPDl8A_E-unsplash.jpg) Vermont Snowmobiling by Region: A Rider's Guide to the Green Mountain State](https://blog.trailintel.com/vermont-snowmobiling-by-region-a-riders-guide-to-the-green-mountain-state) [![TrailIntel](https://blog.trailintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TrailIntel-stackedLogos-01%20(5).png?width=1404&height=915&name=TrailIntel-stackedLogos-01%20(5).png "TrailIntel")](http://www.trailintel.com) --- [Privacy Policy](https://www.trailintel.com/privacy-policy.html) · [Legal](https://www.trailintel.com/terms-of-use.html) · © 2025 Trailintel . 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