Cooley Glen Shelter

Open — The shelter is accessible year-round, but vehicle access to the trailhead is closed December 15 to May 1 when Forest Roads 59, 54, and 201 are closed for winter. Winter visitors must ski or snowshoe in from Route 125.

About

Cooley Glen Shelter is a backcountry shelter situated on the Long Trail in the heart of the Breadloaf Wilderness within Green Mountain National Forest. The shelter is reached via the Cooley Glen Trail, which begins at the Cooley Glen-Emily Proctor Trailhead on Forest Road 201. The trail crosses the New Haven River on a bridge before entering the wilderness and ascending 3.4 miles along the western flank of Mount Cleveland to meet the Long Trail just south of the shelter. The shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or reservations required. A composting privy was recently installed at the site. Water is available from nearby natural sources but must be treated or filtered before use. The shelter provides a convenient base for exploring the Long Trail, with connections to Emily Proctor Shelter to the south and access to multiple Green Mountain summits including Mount Roosevelt, Mount Wilson, and Mount Cleveland. Hikers can complete a popular 13-mile loop combining the Cooley Glen Trail, Long Trail, Emily Proctor Trail, and return via forest roads. As a wilderness shelter, visitors should expect minimal trail blazing and signage in the surrounding area. The Leave No Trace principles are essential here: pack out all trash, avoid camping near sensitive water areas, and if fires are used, keep them small and contained in existing rings using only dead and downed wood.

Directions

From Middlebury, travel south on Route 7 to Route 125. Travel east on Route 125 for 6.6 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 59. Travel 4.7 miles on FR 59 to Forest Road 54 and turn right. Travel 4.1 miles on FR 54 and turn right onto Forest Road 201, which dead-ends at the trailhead parking at 0.4 miles. From the trailhead, hike 3.4 miles on the Cooley Glen Trail to reach the shelter. Note: Forest roads are closed December 15 to May 1.

Nearby Campgrounds