Exceptional
Recreation
Dover and the surrounding towns offer some of the most amazing outdoor and recreation opportunities in the State. Experience incredible hiking, biking, nearby lakes and rivers, skiing, cross country, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, and so much more. There's something for anyone, no matter the time of year.
Valley Trail
The Town of Dover features a fully paved and maintained section of the Valley Trail perfect for walking along Route 100 to the many businesses in Town and through the historic district. This trail is appropriate for all ages to enjoy.
The hiking section of the Valley Trail connects the resort villages of Dover and Wilmington in southern Vermont. The northern end of the hiking trail begins at Mount Snow in Dover while southern end of the trail is located off Route 9 in Wilmington across from Reardon’s Crossing Bridge. Nine trailheads and parking areas along the way and several spurs off the main trail enable users to hike or bike all or part of the trail.
Horace Hill
Horace Hill is located just off Vermont Route 100 in the center of the village of West Dover. Spanning 53 acres, the land was purchased by the Town of Dover in 2019 in order to preserve the land and also to provide a space for expanded recreation amenities in the town.
In 2023, ground was broken on a new professionally designed hiking and mountain bike trail system on the property. In addition, a world class 18 hole disc golf course is being installed and will be a feature on the VT tournament schedule as well as host leagues and other events in the spring, summer, and fall months. Completion of the project is scheduled for May 2024 with a grand opening of the property shortly after.
In the winter months, the property also offers amazing opportunities for snow shoeing, cross country/back country skiing, and more.
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Parking/Entrance:
171 VT Route 100, West Dover, VT 05356
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Property Rules:
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Horace Hill Recreation Area is a multi-use property
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Follow trail use signage and stay on designated trails
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Please be kind and courteous
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Please always be aware of flying discs
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Please don't hike on mountain bike only trails
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Bikes yield to pedestrians on multi-use trails
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Slow down and call out when passing
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Pedestrians move to right when being passed
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Always pass on left
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Please slow when trails merge
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Groups form single line when meeting others
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Pack it in, pack it out
Dover Town Forest &
Phil Bartlett Recreation Area
The Dover Town Forest spans 1,392 acres and features some of the best trails and nature that our Town has to offer. Parking and entry to the forest can be found at the end of Rice Hill Road in East Dover.
The Dover Town Forest trail and backcountry Touring network is made possible through a partnership between the Dover Town Forest Conservation Commision, the Town of Dover, The USFS and SoVTA. There are currently four backcountry touring zones:
Baby Town Frolic:
Is a open low angle zone good for low snow and beginners.
Chutes & Ladders:
Has tight chutes and open areas that gets steeper the lower you go.
Grandma’s:
Is a short moderate zone that provides a connection to the Chicken Little zone Via the Andy’s Way Skin track.
Chicken Little:
Is a zone that good for advanced riders and skiers that has many steep sections with numerous log rides and boulders.
Crosstown Trails
The Crosstown Trail network is made possible through a partnership between Mount Snow, the Town of Dover and SoVTA. In winter the whole network is open to hiking,cross country skiing and fat biking. Please be aware the part of the Crosstown Trail is shared with the snowmobilers of VAST. Safety is a primary concern on these shared stretches of trail. Snowmobilers cannot hear, and frequently cannot see, skiers and snowshoers before they come upon them. When skiing these shared stretches stay alert and be prepared to step off the Trail at any time to allow snowmobiles to pass. Ski single file and to the side of the snowmobile trail. Keep dogs leashed.
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Trail maps are located at the Hiking Center, located in Mount Snow Sports at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel.
Trails in Surrounding Communities
The Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts a comprehensive list of trails from all over southern Vermont.
Visit the 'Vermont Hiking' section of their website to see all of the amazing hiking options that are just a short drive from Dover.
Mount Snow Resort
Mount Snow is a premier four season resort located in the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont featuring four mountain faces of downhill skiing and snowboarding - including one of the East's best terrain parks, Carinthia - slopeside lodging, golf at the acclaimed Mount Snow Golf Club as well as flexible wedding and conference facilities. Other activities include snow tubing, ski & snowboard lessons, downhill mountain biking and a full schedule of festivals and events. Mount Snow is also a member of the
Vail Resorts family.
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For more information, visit the Mount Snow Website
Mountain Biking
Dover features beautiful backwoods mountain biking on the Valley, Horace Hill, Crosstown Trails, and amazing downhill riding at Mount Snow during the summer/fall months. In addition, West Dover is one of the best places to access Vermont Route 100, which is one of the top 50 drives in the U.S.
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Coupled with the availability of other town and State trails available nearby, this is a mountain biker's paradise.
Rivers & Lakes
Dover is home to the North Branch of the Deerfield Valley River. There is access to the river in various locations along Route 100 to Wilmington.
A short Drive from Dover in Wilmington you will find Lake Whitingham (Harriman Reservoir), as well as Lake Raponda.
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Lake Whitingham features multiple swimming spots/beaches, boat launches, and is surrounded by hiking trails. The lake is the perfect spot to launch your boat, rent a jet ski, spend the day paddling, or take a dip on a hot day. The lake can be accessed from Fairview Avenue in Wilmington, the Marina on Route 9, and at its southern point where you can access it via Boyd Hill Road in Whitingham.
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Lake Raponda features access for paddling and small boats as well via the boat launch on Lake Raponda Road near Old Stage Road.
Dover Town Park
Dover has a beautiful Town Park located right off Vermont Route 100 in the center of Town (Junction of Route 100 and Country Club Road).
The park features a small playground for children, a gazebo, and tables and benches for outdoor picnics. The park also hosts the summer concert series from May - August each year.
Golf
Mount Snow
The Mount Snow Golf Course has matured into one of Vermont's premier mountain courses and has been rated one of the top five in the state by Golf Digest. Designed by New England course architect Geoffrey Cornish, our 18-hole championship course has also been named one of the top 10 resort courses in the country by SKI Magazine. More info...
Haystack Golf Course
Haystack Golf Course offers a classic, manicured layout with challenging greens and breathtaking scenery. Designed by acclaimed architect Desmond Muirhead in 1972. Players of all abilities are welcome - pick one of the four sets of tees to match your game. Haystack Golf Course meanders over a gently rolling landscape without the blind shots and side-hill lies one expects from a mountain course. More info...
Snowmobiling
Dover provides direct access to hundreds of miles of VAST snowmobile trails throughout the State. Locally our trails are maintained by our snowmobile club, the Deerfeild Valley Stump Jumpers. The club offers vast passes and registrations at multiple locations at various locations throughout the valley prior to and during the season. For more information, visit the Deerfield Valley Stump Jumpers website.
X-Country, Snowshoeing &
Backcountry Skiing
With our large collection of trails available, in addition to Timber Creek Cross Country facility in Dover, there are many options for getting out in the woods. Trails for each type of activity exist in the Town Forest, Crosstown Trails, Horace Hill.