Thrill Seekers: Check Out These Vermont Mountain Biking, Ziplining and Indoor Rock Climbing Destinations
Looking for an adrenaline rush? From climbing walls to bike trails, water slides to trampolines, we've got you covered with these 10 adventurous spots, perfect...
Looking for an adrenaline rush? From climbing walls to bike trails, water slides to trampolines, we’ve got you covered with these 10 adventurous spots, perfect for families looking for a bit of excitement.
1. Pine Hill Park
Sixteen miles of woodsy trails — with names like Escalator, Svelte Tiger and Voldemort — make for the perfect place to mountain bike, hike, run and walk dogs. Trails were designed in a stacked loop system so that the beginner ones are closest to the parking lot and the intermediate ones take riders up bigger climbs and over longer distances. Free. [location-5]
2. Kingdom Trails
Kingdom Trails Credit: Courtesy
With old cart roads and double-track trails for beginners and fast single-track for more advanced riders, Kingdom Trails has been hailed the “best trail network in North America” by BIKE Magazine. The pump track, the Chutes & Ladders skills trail, and the church path (which ends in a playground) are best suited to families. Stop in at the welcome center, and a staff member will help customize a ride for your crew. $7-15 for a day membership; free for children 7 and under. [location-1]
3. Catamount Outdoor Family Center
Catamount Outdoor Family Center Tuesday night trail-running series Credit: Courtesy Catamount Trail Association
A variety of terrains — both flat and hilly, through woods and open fields — provide a picturesque setting for running and mountain biking on more than 20 miles of trails. From May through September, the center offers a Tuesday night trail-running series, and from May through August a Wednesday night mountain-biking series — both with shorter races for kids. $5-10 day membership; free for children 5 and under.
In the summer months, Smuggs becomes a water-park village, with three wet “playgrounds” and two reservoirs. Activities include a splash pad, water slides, paddle boats and a floating trampoline. For land lubbers, there’s an outdoor bungee trampoline and giant swing, plus FunZone 2.0 — a 26,000-square-foot indoor play center with mini golf, an obstacle course, bouncy houses and more. $30-70 for a Daycation ticket; free for children 2 and under. [location-2]
5. Killington Resort
The Beast Mountain Coaster at Killington Resort Credit: Courtesy by Chandler Burgess
An outdoor ninja obstacle course, ropes course, zip line, trampoline jump, alpine tubing and more entertain thrill-seeking families. Don’t miss the Beast Mountain Coaster, a twisting, turning 4,800-foot-long alpine roller coaster. $44-72 for an Adventure Center Day Pass. [location-3]
6. Okemo Mountain Resort
Okemo Mountain Resort Credit: Courtesy
The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster starts with a 1,600-foot climb, followed by a descent of 375 vertical feet that twists, loops and curves along the mountain at Okemo’s Jackson Gore. Scenic chairlift rides, mini golf, a climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, an air-bag jump and a gold panning station are included with the purchase of a $69 Adventure Zone wristband. [location-6]
7. The Pump House Indoor Waterpark
The Pump House Indoor Waterpark Credit: Courtesy Jay Peak Resort
Five water slides (including the thrilling/terrifying La Chute), a lazy river, the Double Barrel surf simulator and a little kids’ play area — with a very Vermonty water-filled tipping sap bucket — await visitors. End your day with a soak in the family hot tub. $31-41 for a day pass; free for children 3 and under. [location-7]
8. Petra Cliffs
Petra Cliffs Credit: Courtesy of Sam Simon Imaging
Whether you’re new to rock climbing or a seasoned pro, this indoor climbing center offers climbing and bouldering for all ages, plus a high ropes course. $13-18 for a climbing and bouldering day pass; $10 for gear rental. [location-8]
9. Get Air Trampoline Park
Get Air Trampoline Park Credit: Courtesy
Kids get their wiggles out at this cavernous space featuring trampolines galore, an obstacle course, foam pits, slacklines, basketball and dodgeball, and a Little Air section for jumpers under 46 inches. $8.99-14.99 for one hour of jumping. [location-9]
10. Maple Street Park & Pool
Maple Street Park & Pool Credit: Courtesy
This community pool features a splash area, water slide and two diving boards. When you’re done swimming, dry off and head to the park next door, which boasts several play structures, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and a freestyle bike park. $5-7 pool admission; half price after 6 p.m., mid-June to late August. [location-4]
This article was originally published in Seven Days’ monthly parenting magazine, Kids VT.
Alison Novak is a staff writer at Seven Days, with a focus on K-12 education. A former elementary school teacher in the Bronx and Burlington, Vt., Novak previously served as managing editor of Kids VT, Seven Days' parenting publication. She won a first-place...
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