--- title: "Vermont Snowmobiling Guide: Best Trails, Towns and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail" description: Discover Vermont's snowmobiling paradise with our guide to the best trails, towns, and the iconic Lamoille Valley Rail Trail for an unforgettable winter adventure. --- [Trailintel Blog](https://blog.trailintel.com) # [Vermont Snowmobiling Guide: Best Trails, Towns and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail](https://blog.trailintel.com/vermont-snowmobiling-guide-best-trails-towns-and-the-lamoille-valley-rail-trail) Written by [Monica Gray](https://blog.trailintel.com/author/monica-gray-1) | Oct 20, 2026, 10:00:00 AM Vermont rolls out the white carpet, paving the way for snowmobilers to access some of the country's best snowmobiling. Vermont has nearly as many miles of groomed snowmobile trail as it does paved road. With winter on its way, you can swap your road-tripping vehicle for a sled that tackles snow and lets you explore even more of what the Green Mountain State has to offer. The statewide system runs more than 4,700 miles, from the Canadian border to Massachusetts, winding through farm country, frozen lakes, covered bridges, and some of New England's best mountain scenery. The hard part is not finding a place to ride. It is deciding where to start. This guide picks the towns, destinations, and routes worth building a trip around, with the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail at the center. If you want to see it all with live trail conditions in your pocket, the TrailIntel app puts Vermont trails and points of interest on your phone, plus real-time updates on trail and road conditions and hazards from other riders who are exploring just like you are. ## Vermont Snowmobiling at a Glance - **Best overall route**: The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, 93 miles from St. Johnsbury to Swanton. - **Best base town for riders**: Island Pond, the self-described snowmobile capital of Vermont. - **Best resort pairing**: Stowe, with trails into Mount Mansfield State Forest and guided tours in town. - **Best fast and flat riding with mountain views**: The Missisquoi Valley towns of Troy, Jay, and Westfield. **Season**: December 16 to April 15, depending on snow. ## The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail: Vermont's Signature Ride The [Lamoille Valley Rail Trail](https://app.trailintel.com/map?data_type=atv#15.0000/44.7537/-72.8415) follows the bed of an old railroad line that first carried trains in the 1870s. History buffs won’t want to miss it. Today it is the longest rail trail in New England, stretching 93 miles from St. Johnsbury in the east to Swanton near Lake Champlain in the northwest. It links 18 towns across five counties and includes five tunnels, dozens of bridges, and about 36 miles along the Lamoille River. For snowmobilers, the appeal is simple. The grade is gentle, the corridor is wide and easy to follow, and the route passes through real towns where you can stop for food, fuel, and a warm-up. Snowmobiles are the only motorized vehicles allowed on the trail, and it ties directly into the VAST network, so you can branch off in nearly every direction. ### The Eastern End: St. Johnsbury, Danville and Cabot The trail begins in [St. Johnsbury](https://app.trailintel.com/map?data_type=atv#15.0000/44.4198/-72.0222), a classic Northeast Kingdom town and the southern trailhead. From there you roll through Danville and on toward Cabot, which connects to the Cabot Trail Network. This is rolling hill country with big open views, and it is a comfortable place to start if your group includes newer riders. ### The Heart of the Route: Walden, Greensboro and Hardwick The middle of the trail passes through Walden, Stannard, and Greensboro before reaching Hardwick, a town with a working main street and plenty of places to eat. Just beyond Hardwick, in Wolcott, you will pass the Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge, a preserved 90-foot bridge built in 1908 over the Lamoille River. It is one of the last covered railway bridges in the country and one of the best photo stops anywhere on the system. ### Morrisville, Johnson and the Stowe Connection Morrisville is the natural halfway base. It has lodging, restaurants, and services, and Stowe sits only about 9 miles from the trail. Hyde Park and Johnson follow to the west, with the river valley opening up as the trail continues toward the mountains. If you want a full day that mixes trail riding with a resort town finish, this stretch is hard to beat. ### The Western End: Cambridge to Swanton West of Johnson, the trail runs through Cambridge, Fletcher, Bakersfield, Fairfield, Sheldon, and Highgate before ending in Swanton. Farmland, river crossings, and views of the Green Mountains define this section. Near the western end, the trail meets the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, which gives you another corridor to explore. ### Three Ways to Ride It - **The classic day**: Start in Hardwick, stop at the Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge in Wolcott, and finish with lunch in Morrisville. This under-20-mile stretch packs in history, scenery, and good food. - **The Stowe add-on**: Ride into Morrisville, then take the short connection toward Stowe for a guided tour or an evening in town. - **The full crossing**: Ride all 93 miles from St. Johnsbury to Swanton over two or three days, sleeping in trail towns along the way. Plan around snow cover and check conditions each morning. A note on conditions: portions of the trail have flooded and closed in recent years, and snow cover changes everything. Before you load the trailer, check the current status of the section you plan to ride. ## Best Vermont Snowmobile Destinations Beyond the Rail Trail ### Island Pond: The Snowmobile Capital Island Pond is a small village in the Northeast Kingdom that has earned its reputation. Local tourism sources describe about 110 miles of groomed trails that connect to the VAST network and run through forests, fields, and across frozen lakes. The village also connects to the Kingdom Heritage Trail, a 20-mile backcountry trail system. After a day on the sled, you can try ice fishing on the lake right in town. If you want a base camp that puts you on the trail from the front door, this is the place. ### Stowe: Mountain Scenery and Guided Tours Stowe is the easiest destination for riders who want a full winter getaway. Trails run into the 44,444-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest just minutes from the resort. If you are new to the sport, Snowmobile Vermont runs guided tours from a base in downtown Stowe, and you do not need prior experience to take one. Pair a morning on the trail with an afternoon of skiing, dining, and shopping. ### Newport, Lake Memphremagog and Jay Peak Newport is the only city in the Northeast Kingdom, sitting at the southern end of Lake Memphremagog in Orleans County. The surrounding terrain includes Lake Seymour, Lake Willoughby, Vermont's deepest lake, and Jay Peak, which rises to nearly 4,000 feet and is visible from almost anywhere in the county. Down in the Missisquoi Valley, the towns of Troy, Jay, and Westfield offer flat, fast trails with long views of the Green Mountains to the west. ### Lake Willoughby and the Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Lake Willoughby, framed by the cliffs of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, is one of the state's most dramatic landscapes. Inns in the area sit close to trails leading to Island Pond, making it an ideal stop on a longer Northeast Kingdom loop. ## What You Need Before You Ride Vermont's trail system is run by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, known as VAST, and it relies on volunteer clubs and private landowners. About 80 percent of the system crosses private land, so staying on marked trails matters. Keep these basics in mind: - The legal season runs from December 16 to April 15, depending on snow. - You need a registered snowmobile, insurance, and a VAST trail pass (Trails Maintenance Assessment). - Riders born after 1983 must complete a snowmobile safety course. - VAST trails are for winter use only. Outside of snow season, they are not open to riding. Rules and fees can change, so confirm current requirements with VAST before your trip. ## Ride Smarter with TrailIntel Vermont rewards riders who plan ahead. Snow, grooming, and trail status can change from one valley to the next, and a route that looked perfect in the morning can look different by afternoon. TrailIntel is built for exactly that. The app provides snowmobiling and ATV trails and points of interest, plus real-time updates on trail and road conditions and hazards, so you can choose your route with confidence and keep exploring. Whether you are mapping out the full Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, planning a weekend in Island Pond, or finding the best lunch spot in Hardwick, TrailIntel helps you see more of Vermont and ride it safely. [Download the TrailIntel App](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/trailintel/id6705120552) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can you snowmobile on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail? Yes. Snowmobiles are the only motorized vehicles allowed on the trail, which is part of the statewide VAST network. You need a registered sled, insurance, and a VAST trail pass, and riding depends on snow cover and current conditions. ### How long is the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail? It runs 93 miles from St. Johnsbury to Swanton, passing through 18 towns across five counties. ### When is snowmobile season in Vermont? The legal season opens December 16 and runs to April 15, with actual riding dependent on snow. ### What is the snowmobile capital of Vermont? Island Pond in the Northeast Kingdom is widely known as Vermont's snowmobile capital, with about 110 miles of groomed trails connecting to the VAST network. ### Do I need a trail pass to snowmobile in Vermont? Yes. Riders on the statewide system need valid registration, a VAST Trails Maintenance Assessment, and insurance. Riders born after 1983 must have completed a safety course. 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