North Hartland Lake, Hartland and Hartford

North Hartland Lake, Hartland and Hartford, Vt.

Recreation Facilities/Activities

With more than 1,700 acres of land ranging from forests and fields to wetlands and a reservoir, North Hartland Lake has recreation opportunities for everyone! In summer months, visitors can swim, sunbathe, and picnic in shady woods or in one of our shelters. Shelter reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Anglers can try their luck in our annually stocked lake. A boat launch is available for sailors, and this is a popular location for canoeists to launch from and explore the beauties of nearby Quechee Gorge. For those who want to explore the beauties of nature on dry land, we provide a nature trail, plus ranger conducted programs. Winter sports such as snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing are also popular activities at North Hartland Lake.

Stop by at the Nature Center, located near the large shelter and the bathroom, for fun games and information for children.

Also, visit the Quechee Gorge Visitor Center to find out more about the history of this area and information about local businesses. The visitor's center opened in 2005, and since this time, more than 900,000 people have visited the center. Visitors all agreed that the center was a much needed addition to the community and we invite you to come enjoy the building for yourself. Visitor information, both electronic and brochure format, is now available along with interpretive displays about the history of the gorge and local flora and fauna.

The Visitor Center is located on Route 4 between Quechee State Park and Quechee Gorge, approximately 8 miles from Woodstock, Vt., and two miles from the intersection of I-89 and Route 4. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Interpretive Programs

In addition to recreation activities interpretive programs are offered by park rangers both on and off site.  All of our programs are free and open to the public.  If you have any questions  or would like to schedule a program, please call.

Reservations and Fees

Nothing's more enjoyable than a picnic during the summer. At North Hartland Lake, picnickers can dine near the lake or in the shady woods or take advantage of our covered picnic shelters.

Our shelters can be reserved for a fee. Grills are provided at the shelters, with playground equipment, horseshoe pits, volleyball nets, and restrooms nearby.

A Nature Center with exhibits and activities for children of all ages is also located in the recreation area. North Hartland Lake has also been the site of large gatherings ranging from weddings to Scout day camps and "Klondike Derbies."

The large upper shelter is located near the bathroom and the playground. It is on the left side of the road when driving into the park.

The small shelter is on the right side of the road when driving into the park. It is across from the playground and bathroom.

The large lower shelter is the newest shelter. It is located on the right side of the road and closer to the beach.

Recreation Fees

  • "Upper" picnic shelter reservation (large covered shelter which accommodates roughly 100 adults)- $85.00
  • "Lower" picnic shelter reservation (large covered shelter which accommodates roughly 100 adults)- $85.00
  • "Small" picnic shelter reservation (small covered shelter which accommodates roughly 60 adults) - $65.00
  • To make a reservations go to Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 and search or ask for North Hartland Lake.

Special Events:

The fees vary depending on the event. Please call the Park Manager for more information at (802) 295-2855.

Natural Resources

North Hartland Lake is more than 1700 acres with a variety of forested lands, wetlands, fields, and the lake itself. Park Rangers use an assortment of management practices to improve or conserve the different habitat types. One such management practice is prescribed burning to maintain important open field habitats at North Hartland Lake. Certain species of wildflowers benefit from this practice while others require wooded areas to grow. Mowing of fields and artificial nest structures are also used to keep the project lands attractive to a variety of game and non-game species. As you walk along the entrance road during the spring, listen for the variety of frogs singing.  During the summer, look for wood ducks nesting in the boxes.  Forest management, including thinning and harvesting, is also used. Brush piles are assembled in different locations to create cover for small animals.

To insure that this remains a wonderful place for both humans to visit and animals to live, Corps rangers work with other federal and state agencies to maintain biodiversity of the project.


- Updated: June 14, 2022

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Quick Notes

  • The recreation area, beach and boat launch are closed for the season.  The main gate is open from 7:00AM-3:30PM Monday-Friday, closed on weekends and holidays.    
  • Shelters can be reserved online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777

  • All unmanned aircraft as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including drones, are prohibited on designated Corps land in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulations 36 CFR 327.4b. Call the Project Office (802) 295-2855 for more information.

  • APRIL 10, 2024, PRESS RELEASEBeaches, some roads to remain closed when North Hartland Lake, Union Village Dam recreation areas open for the season May 25

- Updated: 4/11/2024

Photos

Contact

North Hartland Lake
P.O. Box 55
North Hartland, VT 05052
Phone: (802) 295-2855
Fax: (802) 295-1820
Email 
North Hartland Lake Directions