Kenolie Village Campground

From Newfane, you can easily explore nearby towns like Brattleboro (where the southern terminus of the Long Trail starts), Townshend, and Dummerston via the 30-mile scenic West River Trail (WRT). Laid on a former railbed, the trail affords stunning views of golden Vermont hills. Take time to admire the Riverstone Preserve found along the WRT and see the rare riverine cobblestone ecosystem scoured by ice. Less than half an hour’s drive from your campsite at Kenolie Village Campground, the 1,000-acre Townshend State Forest sets aside half of its acreage to deer wintering habitat. The oak forest at the top of Bald Mountain provides a food source not only for deer but also for turkeys and bears in fall. Avid hikers looking for a challenging route will find the Bald Mountain Hiking Trail’s 1,200-foot elevation change exhilarating. Naturally, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also popular pursuits in the area. Farther away is the Green Mountain National Forest, about 45 minutes’ drive west when you camp in an RV near Newfane. This is the ultimate destination in the area for hikers looking for an epic trail. Spanning 900 miles, the trail system includes sections of legendary hikes like the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the North Country Scenic Trail. Mountain bikers are not left behind with nearly 150 miles of trail set aside for them. There are also trails groomed for alpine and Nordic commercial skiing, as well as innumerable lakes and streams offering fishing opportunities and water-based activities. Put your Newfane campervan rental to good use and follow the Vermont State Route 125 (aka Middlebury Gap Road) that takes you on a 16-mile drive through the national forest. One look at the natural beauty of the area, and you will understand what inspired Frost’s poetry. Take some time to admire the Middlebury Gap, where a scenic waterfall, a picnic area, and an interpretive nature trail are worth a stop.