CALVIN COOLIDGE STATE FOREST
CALVIN COOLIDGE STATE FORESTKillington, Vermont 05751
(lat:43.6142 lon:-72.8015)
Coolidge State Forest contains a total of 16,166 acres scattered throughout seven towns, and is divided by Route 100 into two districts. The recreational center of the forest is Coolidge State Park, which consists of about 500 acres in the eastern district. The park includes a campground, picnic area, and an established hiking trail system. Slack Hill is to the east side of the park, and state designated "Wilderness" sites are located there. Brooks in the vicinity are Whetstone Brook, across from the park entrance, and Pinney Hollow Brook, running along the entrance road, across 100A and into Whetstone which in turn flows into the Ottauquechee River.
Calvin Coolidge State Forest, located in Plymouth and Reading, Vermont, was established in 1928 to commemorate the birthplace and childhood home of the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge. It covers an area of about 4,766 acres and is managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation.
The land that now makes up the state forest was once owned by the Coolidge family, who were early settlers in the Plymouth area. Calvin Coolidge was born in Plymouth Notch on July 4, 1872, and spent his early years in the region. His father, John Calvin Coolidge Sr., served as a local farmer, storekeeper, and justice of the peace, while his mother, Victoria Josephine Moor, was a schoolteacher.
After Calvin Coolidge's presidency from 1923 to 1929, a local committee formed to preserve his birthplace and childhood home as a historic site. In 1928, the state of Vermont acquired the land from the Coolidge family and designated it as Calvin Coolidge State Forest. The forest includes the Coolidge Homestead, which is now part of the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site.
1. Coolidge State Park offers 36 lean:to and tent sites, plus five cabins for a more comfortable stay.
2. Gifford Woods State Park is nearby with campsites available in both summer and fall seasons.
3. The White River Valley Camping area provides primitive camping options within the forest boundaries.
4. Dispersed backcountry camping is allowed throughout Calvin Coolidge Forest following Leave No Trace principles.
5. Long Trail: Sherburne Pass allows overnight stays at shelters along this hiking trail through the state forest.