One of the things we love most about RVing is getting out into nature. Park the rig, grab the bikes or boots, and head for the trailhead. And now, Vermont is working hard to seriously upgrade that pairing with the Velomont.
“What’s the Velomont?” you may be wondering.
The word itself combines Velo (bicycle) with the entire state of Vermont. In practice, it’s an ambitious, still-developing trail system in Vermont that will eventually stretch 485 miles (!!!) from the state’s southern to northern borders. Once completed, it will stitch together 23 mountain biking chapters across both public and private land to connect 27 communities.
While it gives people of all types access to the great outdoors, the trail system is also designed to thread through towns and villages, rather than only on the outskirts. That way, it can also support local businesses and make the trail system more accessible to all. (And provide easier access to food and amenities for travelers like us.)
Taking it a step further, the growing network of back-country huts and hostels will allow people to linger in the great outdoors longer.
This is honestly one of the most exciting long-distance trail projects we’ve come across in a while. And we don’t have to wait until it’s finished to start exploring. Big stretches of the Velomont are already open and ridable/hikeable. And more miles are being added every season.
If you’ve been looking for another reason to point your rig toward the Green Mountain State, this is a big one.
A Great Connector
While many of our favorite trails cut through wilderness—National Forests and National Parks—this trail is different. It’s designed to be a connector. Spearheaded by the Velomont Collective (a new chapter of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association), in partnership with Vermont Huts and Trails, the project aims to connect Vermont’s vast existing trail networks from the state’s tip to tail. This will turn the current patchwork of disconnected local trail systems into one continuous route.
What if you’re not really a cyclist—or at least not a mountain biker? (To be honest, I’m not so much either—much to my partner’s disappointment.) There’s good news. This trail system isn’t for bikes only. Yes, it’s being built with mountain biking in mind, but the Velomont will also welcome hikers, runners, walkers, and other non-motorized users.
And while we RVers can tow a comfortable sleeping space, we can also leave our rigs safely parked and rest a bit longer in the back-country with the hut system if we so choose (and room is available).
Like the rest of the trail, much of this system is still either in the planning or construction phase. But once complete—in 2030—the Velomont is set to become the largest hut-supported trail network in the U.S. Thirty of the 45 new huts—plus five hostels—plan to offer overnight accommodations along the route, allowing for multi-day rides deep into the back-country. Just show up with an overnight bag and your own food, rest up, and hit the trail again the next morning.
This is, admittedly, an ambitious undertaking, which is why it’s happening in phases. The Velomont Collective just broke ground this summer. This means we get to watch the story unfold as new sections are introduced every season.
What Makes the Velomont So Cool
Throughout the U.S., you can find amazing trails to hike or bike. From the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park to the Skyline Loop on Mount Rainer to Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park to Vernal and Nevada Falls in Yosemite Valley and so many more.
The Velomont could be considered just a nice addition to an already fantastic trail network in Vermont. There are, however, a few things that make it special:
- It lowers the barrier to back-country access. Especially if you’re boondocking, you can get to some pretty remote locations. But not everyone has that access. For much of the country, multi-day back-country rides and hikes mean you have to carry serious gear, cover serious miles, and ensure you are seriously comfortable being very self-sufficient.
The hut system changes that equation. With shelters along the trail, including places to rest and sleep, riders who might never have considered a full biking trip can now string together a two- or three-day adventure. With just a bike, some layers, and a sense of adventure. - The trail system is being built with accessibility in mind. Vermont Huts and Trails is working to ensure the Velomont is accessible to riders of all types—including those with a wide range of physical abilities.
This is taking additional work, as the existing trails weren’t always built with adaptive bikes and accessibility in mind. So, the team is assessing the trail sections as they go and tweaking details, such as trail corners and surface materials, to make them rideable.
Organizers are also working to reduce barriers at overnight stops along the network. It’s a rare example of a major trail project designing for inclusion rather than as an afterthought. - It’s built to connect communities, not avoid them. Vermont has a long history of promoting outdoor adventures. You may be familiar with some of the long-distance trails in Vermont—such as The Long Trail and The Catamount Trail—that wind through more remote areas for hikers and skiers. The creators of the Velomont are also fans of these trails, but they wanted something different—something that would not only get more people outside into nature but also support local businesses and economies along the way.
This is a pretty cool bonus for RVers, as ride/hike days also provide opportunities to restock supplies, grab a meal, stop in for coffee or a brew, or just stroll through a small town you may have never heard of before. - Jobs. The project is also employing and training 330 young adults to build the trail. So, there’s a workforce development aspect along with the chance to get outside and recreate.
The Best Places to Park Your RV Along the Velomont
The first fully connected, multi-day segment—a 36-mile stretch of singletrack known as the Heart of the Greens Loop—runs right through Rochester and Randolph in the center of Vermont. So at least right now, this general area is your best bet for your RV basecamp.
Lake Champaign Resort (Randolph Center): One of the quietest, most peaceful campgrounds in the area while still close to one of the Velomont’s key hub towns for easy access to the trailhead and quick resupply runs.
Gifford Woods State Park (Killington/Rochester area): Tucked into the Green Mountain National Forest, this park is close enough to both Rochester and Killington to make a good home base with multiple trail access points without the need to move your rig daily.
Branbury State Park (near Lake Dunmore, north of Rochester): If all you need is dry camping (no hookups) and want a beautiful, scenic location, this is a good option that’s also well known for fall foliage and a prime location for a ride on the Velomont.
Quechee State Park Campground (Quechee, a bit further east): For those coming from the east side of the state, you’ll find nicely spaced sites that even accommodate larger rigs well.
Worth the Detour
If you’re ready for a day out of the saddle, part of the Velomont’s appeal is that it runs straight through charming Vermont towns. If you have time, a few worth adding into your itinerary include:
Randolph—The geographic center of Vermont, this is a bit of a cultural hub with its renowned music hall (found on the National Register of Historic Places) and one of the oldest movie theaters in the country (since 1919). The Chandler Center for the Arts offers a year-round lineup of concerts, exhibits, and film screenings. After filling your soul with art, you can then find your way through locally owned restaurants, bakeries, and shops. The Silloway Maple has been sugaring since it opened in 1942. Enjoy free tours and tastings of their award-winning maple syrup, cream, and candy year-round.
Rochester—Your gateway to the Heart of the Greens loop—is more than just a trailhead stop. Two longtime sit-down spots—Rochester Café and Sugar Mama’s—have closed. However, Rochester still has much to offer, including Maple Soul (Tuesday – Saturday) for lunch and dinner. And if you love a good book as much as we do, take time to stop in the Bookery. Along the banks of the White River, you’ll find more boutiques and restaurants.
Route 100—If you’re driving between trail access points, consider Vermont’s Scenic Route 100 Byway, which runs along the eastern spine of Green Mountain National Forests.
Planning Your Visit to RV Velomont
Because the trail system is still being built and traveling through Vermont in different seasons changes the experience, timing matters.
If you’re a bike enthusiast, the best time to visit is late September through mid-October to take in peak fall foliage. It’s arguably the most spectacular time to visit. But it’s also the most popular.
Summer offers the longest riding days as well as full access to huts and amenities. Just be well-prepared for mosquitoes and other biting bugs.
In winter, Vermont is regularly buried in snow, with parts of the Velomont receiving somewhere from 100 to over 300 inches. While parts of the trail can be skied, it’s not a dedicated ski path.
No one loves riding in mud! Plus, the trails are fragile, and closures are common, so it’s best to avoid riding in Spring altogether.
As most RVers know, it’s best to book ahead. And that is especially true if you’re interested in staying in one of the huts along the way. Because guests only need to bring food and a sleeping bag—with the rest provided—huts book up fast and early.
RVing Along the Velomont Takeaways
We have a few years before the Velomont will be finished. That said, it’s still a beautiful place to visit and watch grow and change in the years to come as the community works together to connect one mile of single track at a time.
Park in Rochester or Randolph, check out the open trails, and know that next season, you’ll find even more trails, more huts, and more reasons to come back. 🧡
