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.
Hiking Dover
The Valley Trail
The Valley Trail connects the resort villages of Wilmington and Dover in southern Vermont. The southern end of the trail is located off Route 9 in Wilmington across from Reardon’s Crossing Bridge, while the northern end terminates at Mount Snow in Dover. 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.
Cross Town Trails
(Click the Map Above for Printable Version)
Hikers at mount snow have access to more than 20 miles of trails through the Green Mountain National Forest on and around the mountain, with terrain for various abilities.
Total distance: approximately 6 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 2-3 hours.
From the intersection of Route 100 and Crosstown Road, head west up Crosstown Road, which is very steep and climbs 300 feet in under a mile. Once you’re up the hill, you’ll pass the Mount Snow Golf Course on your left, and you’ll see the trailhead in front of you as the road turns sharply to the right. Follow Crosstown Trail into the Green Mountain National Forest for about a mile where you’ll see the Sherwood Forest and Friar Tuck trails. Just a quarter mile ahead of you is the west trailhead at the parking lot on Handle Road, if you chose to start there. Turn South into the National Forest following the Sherwood Forest trail. It will rise and fall in an easy hike through the woods for about 2 miles. This is a well-known trail that is clearly marked and relaxing to follow. At the marsh, you'll cross the bridge, and then you'll cross beneath the power lines. After your 2 miles, you’ll merge into the Little John Trail in Wilmington. To do this, you’ll come to a T intersection where you’ll want to go left (eastward direction). From here, the trail winds one and a half miles along the ridge line at 1900 feet. Given its easy slopes and wide trails, this hike is a local favorite for a daily stroll or bike ride. Circling back North, you’ll pass the Mount Snow Airport and cut back through the Mount Snow Golf Course on to Crosstown Road. Head back down Crosstown Road into the center of West Dover.
Trail maps are located at the Hiking Center, located in Mount Snow Sports at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel.
Town Forest
(Click the Map Above for Printable Version)
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.
Horace Hill
(Click the Map Above for Printable Version)
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. There are currently a number of preexisting trails on the property as seen on the map provided above. This land is a major focal point of the Town's plans with recreation and will be utilized for future projects, venues, and trails.
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
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.
For more information, visit the Mount Snow Website
Biking
Dover features beautiful backwoods mountain biking on the Valley and 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.
Coupled with the availability of other town and State trails available nearby, this is a mountain biker's paradise.
Lakes and Rivers
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.
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.
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.
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, Snow Shoeing and Backwoods 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.
***A comprehensive list of available activities at each location is coming so please be sure to check back on this page for guidance and allowances on each specific property***