What Is Mud Season, and Why Should I Visit Vermont Then?

Do you like to travel like a local? Find the local hangouts, the favorite places locals go to get away from tourists? When I travel, I do my best not to be a tourist, but rather to discover all the things that make the place I am traveling to unique, the things the locals enjoy about living there.

In Vermont, right now it’s Mud Season. Most of you have four seasons, we technically have six: Winter, Mud, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Stick. After a long, snowy winter, when we can no longer strap on our skis and hit the slopes, and it’s too dangerous to ice skate on the lakes and ponds, we set out in search of other outdoor activities.

The days are warming up and the nights still get cool. It’s perfect for the maples to start letting their sap run. You can see busy sugar farmers out collecting and checking their lines. As you drive along the countryside, you’ll notice the sugar shacks have billowing clouds of steam and smoke as the sap is boiled down to syrup inside. Some serve breakfast on weekends.

Listen as you pull into our driveway and you’ll hear the babbling brook full of ice and snowmelt rushing over rocks. It’s a great day for a hike, but where? In this season climbing the higher peaks is discouraged. Snowmelt makes the trails slick and we try to keep from eroding the trails and harming the native plants. However, there are plenty of other lower elevation places to get some fresh air and exercise. In fact, an old logging road turned town forest area is very close, The 100 Acre Wood.

The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail is another, with groomed surface, and if it’s dry enough, great for biking. The Milton Town Forest offers 485 acres of woodlands, and over 6 miles of trails with plenty of gentle rolling and pleasant vistas. Even our own road is a pleasant walk.

Aside from great low-key hikes, there are plenty of local craft and home shows, garden centers opening up, and maple shacks to visit. April 11 th -12th The Franklin County Quilt Show is always a popular event, and the Vermont Maple Festival will be April 24 th -26 th . The festival always encompasses a terrific craft show, antique and flea market, live music, and more. As you are out and about you’ll see distilleries and wineries opening their tasting rooms, and specialty food trucks and pop ups.

So, let Mud Season begin. We’re ready! Pack your best muck boots, and come visit us for a lot of fresh air, sunshine, maybe a little rain here and there, and longer days. Every season in Vermont is worth exploring and has its own special place in time.

Photos Taken By KarenMarie @ Milton Town Forest