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Bennington, Vermont Area Recreation Links

Four season outdoor recreational opportunities are plentiful in scenic Bennington Vermont. Enjoy bicycling, canoeing, fishing, golf, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming and tennis all just minutes from downtown Bennington. Something for every outdoor enthusiast... something for all ages.

Plan a vacation around cycling the scenic, historic backroads through the rambling countryside and covered bridges (Bennington has five), or mountain biking in the nearby Green Mountains here in Bennington County. http://www.trails.com/activity.aspx?area=10509

Please check our events page -- or use our events calendar for listing of a variety of events including BMX bicycle races, Road races and more are available.

You can swim, canoe, or go tubing down the river and still have time for tennis, golf or miniature golf on the long summer days. For rainy days and late night activity, Bennington provides bowling, pool and other indoor games. The Bennington recreation center on Gage Street has a full sized pool open to the public year-round. Call the Bennington Recreation Center at 802-442- for free swim schedule ad fee. The Bennington Recreation center is also the home to public tennis courts.

Fishing on local rivers and lakes is excellent, and on the Battenkill fishing is internationally famous. Bennington enjoys long seasons of hunting, fishing and trapping. The area is home to many public and private hunting and fishing areas.

• The Vermont Boating Safety Course
• Vermont Boating Laws & Statutes
• Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife

Mount Anthony Country Club
Golf Shop (802)447-7079 and www.mtanthonycc.com
Voted as one of the "Best Places to Play" by Golf Digest 2008-2009, Mt. Anthony Country Club is well on its way to becoming one of Vermont's premier golf destinations. Mt. Anthony, an 18-hole golf course nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont on 110 picture-perfect acres, has undergone major renovation including reshaping bunkers and tee complexes as well as the fairways and greens. An exciting challenge for golfers of all skill levels! After a challenging round of golf use the luxurious locker rooms and enjoy lunch, dinner or cocktails at The GRILLE Restaurant. Mt. Anthony is the perfect location for your next golf outing or special event. Open to the public 7 days a week.

Hikers can take the Long Trail which continues the Appalachian Trail along the crest of the Green Mountain National Forest. There are some great day hikes in the Bennington area. - Enjoy a nice short hike in Historic North Bennington Village - Mile Around Woods (pdf)

• Visit the Green Mountain Club's website for trail wide information about the Long Trail and its connected miles of trails.
• Take a walk through the Bennington downtown and surrounding areas.
• Trek for Health Walking Map of Bennington (Adobe Reader pdf, courtesy of Southwestern Vermont Health Care)

Bennington is a center for some of the finest alpine and cross-country skiing in the country. There are twelve major ski areas within an hour's drive. The Green Mountain Club plans year round activities including impromptu hiking, ski trips (both down hill and x-country), snow-shoeing, ice skating and trailwork.

• "No Bull" Ski Report
• Alpine & Cross Country skiing in Vermont

For 40 years, Vermont has been opening the doors to winter's wonders with a remarkable trail system that now totals over 5,000 miles. We set the standard for well-marked trails, readable maps, easy access to fuel stops, food and accommodations. Our many convenient trailheads mean snowmobilers can hook up to trails anywhere in the state. And all it takes to snowmobile is a simple trail pass and a valid state registration. Or simply take a guided tour from one of Vermont's many snowmobile tour operators.

• VAST- Vermont Association of Snow Travelers

Enjoy the incredible scenery from Vermont Parks. Vermont offers 40 State parks and 71 private campgrounds with thousands of campsites including facilities for tent and RV sites, rental trailers, 3-sided leantos, cabins, housekeeping cottages, and rooms for rent. For day activities many of these park offer opportunities to picnic, swim, hike and boat. Picnic shelters may be available and can be reserved for family reunions, weddings/receptions, company picnics and other gatherings.

Southern Vermont Campgrounds

• Lake Shaftsbury State Park - Historic Route 7A between Shaftsbury and Arlington - sandy beach, picnic tables and shelters, boat rentals, concession.
• Woodford State Park East of Bennington on Route 9 - camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing, boat rentals
• Emerald Lake State Park -Route 7 north of Manchester - camping, sandy beach, picnicking, fishing, boat rentals, hiking trails

• Camping on the Battenkill- Arlington Vermont
• Greenwood Lodge- Woodford, Vermont
• Pine Hollow Campground- Pownal, Vermont

Nature's Closet in downtown Bennington also has an excellent page on local outdoor sporting activities and recreational reports.

E-mail & request a local visitors guide

• Attractions
• »
• Museums, History & the Arts
• •
• Outdoor Recreation
  
• Tours & Backroad Rides
• •
• Agri-Tourism & Tastings
  
• Covered Bridge Driving Tour
• |
• Walking Tours