We love visiting the Ludlow area of Vermont, and nearby is Camp Plymouth State Park. There is plenty to do at the park, including the Echo Lake Vista Trail. If you make the trip here, the park also offers a beach, playground, picnic area, cabin rentals and boat rentals. We have visited many times and enjoyed both spending time at the lake and going hiking.
To get to the trail, you can park in the lot just outside the day use entrance on Scout Camp Road (no fee required). Otherwise, there is a day use fee to enter the park.
The trail is just off Scout Camp Road, on an old logging road next to the Birch Cottage. It is a wide trail, and after a very short distance, there is a sign for the Vista Trail.
To get to the vista, it is about 0.5 mile up. Most of the trail is an upwards incline, with some steep areas. Fortunately, the trail is only a half mile up. We did this with our two kids and although there was some complaining, it was very doable compared to some longer hikes we have done.
The trail is simple and wooded, and it is shaded from the sun. This was a nice hike on a warm fall day, and when we went and the trail was in good condition (not muddy).
It was easy to follow the signs and blue markings. There are signs pointing both up and down the trail to keep you on the trail.
The vista is a small area, but beautiful. It looks out over the lake and beyond to Okemo Mountain. This would be a great trail in the summer, since it is mostly under shade, but also nice in the fall for leaf peeping and also in the months the trees have lost their leaves (even clearer views!).
This is not a loop trail, so to get back, you simply go back down the approx. 0.5 mile you came up.
Visit Camp Plymouth State Park at https://vtstateparks.com/plymouth.html
We love visiting our different state parks. So many out there to enjoy and they all have something special. Haven’t been to this one but it looks like a great place to spend the day outdoors.
There are so many amazing trails all over the world and my family and I make a point of visiting as many as we can whenever we are on vacation. I’ve never been to Vermont but i would love to someday
So beautiful! Looks like a nice place to relax and enjoy nature. It would be nice to go as a family and have a picnic!
Looks like you had a nice hike. I always find a trek through the woods a nice relaxing get away from the hassle of everyday life. This must have some amazing views when the trees are ablaze with fall colors.
We love taking hikes when we can and visiting new places. Echo lake looks like a really nice place to visit.
I love taking hikes and seeing new places. I would like to one day travel to VT. The scenery in your pictures is beautiful.
Wow what a gorgeous place. I haven’t gone hiking in quite some time but think this would just be lovely. What nice views.
Such a serene place. Perfect for destressing and unwinding from the hustle and bustle of the city. Who would not love to be in this place.
The view from the top of that mountain is really amazing!
It’s been too long since I have been out hiking and camping. This reminds me that I need to do this very soon. I love seeing the beautiful things out there. I am jealous of how gorgeous it is back east on some of those trails.
Eco Lake Vista Trail sounds like a nice place for a family picnic. Would love to visit that place!
Sounds like an amazing place to be right now instead of cooped up at home. Love the beautiful photos you took. Feel like I’m almost there.
Beautiful pics. I miss hiking. I used to be able to before I got sick. Now I’ll live through these pics
To me, Vermont is a faraway place and I didn’t get a chance to see it myself yet. Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to exploring this path in the future. Lovely picture! – Knycx Journeying
I love adventures and trails! <3 Now, I am looking forward to my next trip after this crisis is over. Your photos are enticing!
I live about 20 miles down the road from the original Ludlow in Shropshire and it’s just as pretty there as the one you have the pleasure of exploring, looks like you got lucky with the weather too
It sounds like a place I would go in a heartbeat, especially now that we are home. Your photos are so beautiful and detailed.
Aaaaahhhh….I love trails! I add this particular one, on my list of possible-ones-to enjoy!
What a trail this is. Times like this make me appreciate nature more!