Emerald Lake State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- 103 campsites
- Official site
- vtstateparks.com(802) 362-1655
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Concession will have reduced fall hours, open Saturday and Sunday 9am – 4pm.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Emerald Lake State Park is a park in Bennington County, about 23 miles south of Rutland.
Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, swimming, fishing, ranger programs, and hiking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 103 campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
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 sandy beach or in the day use area but are allowed elsewhere throughout the park.
Pets are not permitted on the sandy beach or in the day use area but 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake State Park campground Dump station | 103 | None (ANR layer field TentRVnoElect)Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
66 tent/RV sites, 37 lean-to sites
Camping: There are 66 tent/RV sites and 37 lean-to sites at the park.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingFishingHikingRanger and interpretive programsSwimmingCanoeing and kayakingPicnicking
Trails
Hiking: There are a number of easy-to-moderate trails throughout the park.
Swimming
Swimming: There is a beach with great swimming areas at the park.
Boating and paddling
Boating: Emerald Lake is restricted to non-motorized watercraft.
Stand-up Paddle Boarding: SUP's are available to rent at the park.
Fishing
Fishing: Perch, pike, small-mouth bass, bullhead and panfish swim in the waters of Emerald Lake.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
Water
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
✓ 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
- 65 Emerald Lake Lane
East Dorset, VT 05253 - Nearest town
- Rutland — about 23 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 43.2816, -73.0043
- Phone
- (802) 362-1655
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From Rutland: Stay on Rt. 7 South for 23.5 miles. Then turn right onto Sweeney Lane and take an immediate left onto Emerald Lake Lane. From south: Stay on Rt. 7 North for 8 miles then turn left onto Sweeney Lane and take an immediate left onto Emerald Lake Lane
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