Townshend Lake Day Use Area

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Typically open May through September with hours of 8am-8pm on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Closed to vehicular access on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the recreational season.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Wind Advisory issued December 30 at 1:11AM EST until December 30 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Albany NY

1:11 AM — 4:00 PM

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, eastern New York, and southern Vermont. * WHEN...Until 7 PM EST this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong westerly winds continue today, especially across the eastern Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Greater Capital District, northern Taconics, and southern Vermont. Blowing and drifting snow will occur today due to these gusty winds, where treated roadways can be re-covered in snow.

About

Townshend Lake Day Use Area sits in the West River Valley behind Townshend Dam on the shores of Townshend Lake in Vermont's Green Mountains. The recreation area provides diverse outdoor opportunities including a sandy swimming beach, boat ramp for canoeing, kayaking, and small motorboats (10hp maximum), and excellent fishing for stocked rainbow trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass. The picnic area offers both shaded spots under large trees and sun-basked open areas, with three group shelters surrounded by individual picnic tables and charcoal BBQ grills. The 1.7-mile Ledges Overlook Trail provides stunning views of the Green Mountains. Additional facilities include drinking water, restrooms, and a ballfield. The nearby Townshend Lake Nature Area, located 2 miles north on Route 30, offers access to the West River Trail. The area operates seasonally from May through September, with 2024 hours being 8am-8pm Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (closed to vehicular access Tuesday and Wednesday during the recreational season). Winter activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are popular during the off-season. The facility enforces a carry-in, carry-out trash policy, and pets are not allowed on the swimming beach.

Directions

Located 19 miles north of Brattleboro, Vermont, on Vermont Route 30. From the north, take Route 30 South to the Townshend Lake Recreation Area, turn right over the dam, then left at the T-intersection.