Wilgus State Park

Wilgus State Park is best known for providing easy access to the Connecticut River for paddlers and anglers. This beautiful stretch of the Connecticut River separates Vermont from New Hampshire. It meanders at a slow pace past farm and forest with lots of opportunities for swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching.

Adventurers will find campsites right on the river. This is especially awesome for long-distance paddlers traveling down the Connecticut. Single-day visitors will enjoy the easy paddling, ample wildlife, and awesome fishing. Deer are common, as are bald eagles, kingfishers, ducks, geese, and songbirds.

Not far from Wilgus State Park is the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge. It's the world's longest two-span wooden-covered bridge to carry automobile traffic. Originally built in 1866, the bridge was restored in 1988. The best views of the bridge are obtained by paddling underneath it. Locals will tell you that the best fishing spots are under the bridge as well.

Wilgus State Park is small and mainly used for river access and camping. It is one of Vermont's first state parks to open each spring. There are 16 riverfront tent/RV sites, separated from the shore only by a public walking path. While the park is generally quiet, and all the sites are wooded with water views, site 16 provides the most privacy. There are also six lean-tos and four camping cabins.

Aside from the campground, Wilgus State Park has a 1-mile hiking trail loop through the woods, a short interpretive fern identification walk, flush toilets, hot showers, and Wi-Fi at the ranger station. A small picnic shelter is available for group use. Kayaks and canoes can be rented for the day.

The park ranger, who has worked at Wilgus State Park for over 10 years, is an avid angler and very happy to talk to visitors about fishing and paddling. Great River Outfitters is a local outfitter that runs shuttles on certain days of the week. They will pick you up from the park in the morning and drive you and your boats upriver, allowing you to float back to your campsite. It's a great way to spend the day! You will paddle right past the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor. It's a great stop if you need an afternoon pick-me-up. 

Wilgus State Park is open from May 1 to Columbus Day weekend.