Willoughby State Forest

State park · Caledonia County

Willoughby State Forest

State park · Caledonia County

Sutton, VT 05867

Highlights

Nestled between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, Willoughby State Forest boasts gorgeous Lake Willoughby with hiking, swimming, and serene nature vibes.

Sutton, VT 05867 Get directions

fpr.vermont.gov

@travelleisure

"From majestic peaks to storybook fall foliage, Vermont is full of picturesque landscapes. So it's no surprise that one of the clearest, bluest lakes in New England is found in Willoughby State Forest near the town of Westmore. Situated between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, Lake Willoughby is sometimes called "America's Lucerne,” and its clear waters allow you to see all of its 300-foot depth. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming (though take note this is a glacial lake, so be prepared for brisk waters that can get down to 32 degrees). There are kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rental options as well as lakefront cabins for any overnighters. There’s also the Willoughby Lake Store which sells bait, food, and drinks." - Travel + Leisure Editors

11 Most Beautiful Lakes in the US

View Postcard for Willoughby State Forest

dbg thomas

Google

The park overall is very nice, access through the park to different trails and the road along the Hudson is amazing. Road is closed seasonally so be aware that trails along that road will not be accessible.

Margaret Honan

Google

7.29.23 South Shore Loop was a 2.1 mile hike that cut through the nude/clothing optional beach. The trail was well marked and easy to follow as much of it followed the lake. Lots of mushrooms for those who forage, lots of cool tree roots, and overall a super easy hike for all ages.

Tom J

Google

Beautiful and untouched area. At least late fall there are only few people around, so you can enjoy the nature itself. Great for mountain biking, hiking, Nordic walking or camping. Enjoy small lakes, wast woods and beautiful views of Willoughby Lake. Just please take your trash back with you, Thanks!

Google

Amazing view at the top of mount Pisgah!! You have different level of trails from easy to difficult, I did the difficult one but it worth the effort and you have different view spots along the trail, which enables some breaks some time 😁

Michel Heijnen

Google

Very nice park with great trails! I hiked hiked with my dog to up to Mount Pisgah. I would rate it as a moderate to difficult hike due to the elevation changes but reaching the top is very rewarding. Make sure you take a break halfway there to enjoy the views of the lake. The views at the top are also very nice of the area.

Tom Bassett

Google

Great place to visit! Love the views, the lake and the trails to hike. There are a few beaches in the area and plenty of small businesses to visit in the nearby towns. Will definitely be coming back every year and hope to find more trails (and explore the other side of the lake one day).

Lucile Purnell

Google

It's very serene and has a nice chill vibe. speaking of chill, i could not get in the water in early August because it was too cold (not the waters fault, i'm just a baby.) There is also a nudist beach so keep that in mind if you have children, it's very much tucked away though and would be totally safe and fine if you would want to bring your kids there.

Stephanie Gibson

Google

Absolutely beautiful, but soooo sooo crowded. Granted we went on a super hot day so we expected a crowd but I didnt expect the beach to be so small. There was practically no parking available at either beach, but it looks like there are some parking lots under construction for the south beach. We had to drive back and forth for an extra 30 min trying to find an open spot to park. The beach was very nice but people were practically on top of each other because of how crowded it was.