Brighton State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- 77 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- vtstateparks.com(802) 723-4360
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 3
Construction Due to major electrical grid work, there are scheduled power outages. During these time…Due to major electrical grid work, there are scheduled power outages. During these times, there will only be cold showers available and there will be… (more)
Due to major electrical grid work, there are scheduled power outages. During these times, there will only be cold showers available and there will be alternative lighting provided in bathhouses.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Construction The first scheduled outage is on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10:00 p.m. to Sunday…The first scheduled outage is on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10:00 p.m. to Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Construction The second scheduled outage is on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 10:00 p.m. to Sunda…The second scheduled outage is on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 10:00 p.m. to Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Brighton State Park is a park in Essex County, about 20 miles southeast of Newport.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, and ranger programs. On the water side, there is a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals. For overnight stays there are 77 campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers). Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | 10am - official sunset | ||
Official wording
10am - official sunset
Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the second Monday in October.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Per person day-use admission: Adult (14+) $5, Child (4-13) $2; no resident/non-resident difference except the Green Mountain Passport for VT residents 62+/veterans. Undeveloped park lands charge no fees.
Statewide fee rule from Vermont's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Vermont park passes
- Individual Season Pass — $40. Unlimited day-use entry to any park for one individual. Non-transferable. Details
- Vehicle Season Pass — $105. Unlimited day-use entry for up to 8 people in one vehicle; second vehicle pass $65. Details
- Organization Vehicle Pass — $180. Unlimited day-use for up to 17 people in one vehicle. Details
- Day-use punch card — $40. One punch provides day-use entry for one person. Never expires. Details
- Green Mountain Passport — $2. Lifetime free day-use entry for Vermont residents 62+ or honorably discharged veterans; sold at town clerk offices. Details
From the Vermont state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Vermont State Parks reservation website (vtstateparks-visit.com, Aspira/ReserveAmerica platform)
- Phone
- 1-888-409-7579
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Not allowed in or on: the day use areas.
Pets are not permitted in the day use areas, on beaches, in designated swimming areas or in most cabins. At this time, only the Raven cabin is pet-friendly. Pets are allowed elsewhere throughout the park. Please clean up after your pets.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton State Park campground Dump station | 77 | None (ANR layer field TentRVnoElect)Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
54 tent/RV sites, 23 lean-to sites
Camping: The park has 54 tent/RV sites and 23 lean-to sites. There are also 5 cabins available to rent.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- cabin: 5 units
5 cabins available to rent
Things to do
BoatingCampingFishingHikingRanger and interpretive programsSwimmingCanoeing and kayakingPicnicking
Trails
Hiking: Brighton offers mostly flat, easy walking around Spectacle Pond. There is also a self-guided nature trail.
Swimming
Swimming: There are two swimming areas at the park.
Boating and paddling
Boating: You are welcome to bring your boats to the park, though there is no boat launch. Campers may rent kayaks, canoes, row boats, and pedal boats on Spectacle Pond. There are no rental boats at the day use area on island pond.
Stand-up Paddle Boarding: SUP's are available to rent through the park.
Fishing
Fishing: Spectacle Pond and Island Pond both have great fishing. Brown trout, pickerel and large mouth bass are among some of the species you can find.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Playground
Water
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 102 State Park Rd
Island Pond, VT 05846 - Nearest town
- Newport — about 20 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.7966, -71.8551
- Phone
- (802) 723-4360
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From Island Pond: Go 2 mi. E on Hwy 105, then 3/4 mi. S on local road.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Vermont State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Park Finder (one .parkInfo block per developed park) + Other State Park Lands list; coordinates/campsite counts from ANR Open Data ArcGIS 'Vermont State Parks' layer and 'ANR Unit Points'
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology