Pownal

Pownal offers several distinct reasons to stay: hiking, nature watching in wetlands, activities on the water and local history. Hiking options include both the Long Trail and trails in Mountain Meadow Preserve and on the Hoosic Bend Trail. These different highlights can help you assess destinations based on the interests that will actually shape your trip.

Hiking from a long-distance trail to local trails

Many hikers begin a 272-mile hike on the Long Trail in Pownal. It is the nation’s oldest long-distance hiking trail. Mountain Meadow Preserve has four miles of trails and spans areas in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and Pownal, Vermont. The Hoosic Bend Trail begins in North Pownal. For planning, these details should be read differently: the 272 miles describe the Long Trail as a long-distance hike, the four miles refer to trails in the preserve, and North Pownal identifies the starting point of the Hoosic Bend Trail.

Wetlands, wildlife and activities on the water

South Stream Wildlife Management Area is located in the Town of Pownal and is open for hiking and wildlife viewing. Most of the area consists of wetlands with emerging vegetation and offers good opportunities for observing waterfowl. The landscape and viewing interest are closely connected here: it is not just about trails, but also explicitly about the habitat and its waterfowl. Mountain Meadow Preserve is home to bears, coyotes, bobcats, foxes and deer. The entire Pownal Town Forest, covering more than 1,000 acres, is protected. The natural areas have different highlights: wetlands and waterfowl at South Stream, wildlife at Mountain Meadow Preserve and protected land in the Town Forest.

Various activities on the water are possible at Barber Pond. This is a different focus from hiking or wildlife viewing and adds to the range of recreational interests in Pownal. When planning, you can choose between trails, nature viewing and activities on the water.

Church history in Pownal

Church history offers another way to explore Pownal. In 1849, the Union Church replaced the meeting house; it later became the Pownal Center Community Church. Two years later, in 1851, Mark Hopkins dedicated the North Pownal Congregational Church. Hopkins was president of Williams College at the time; his role gives the dedication a specific historical context. The Pownal Methodist Church is the oldest church in Pownal. The dates refer to different churches and events: the replacement of the meeting house by the Union Church and the dedication of the North Pownal Congregational Church. The three points of reference therefore differ in terms of change, dedication and a church’s place in the community.

Discover more destinations: Dorset, Bennington, East Dorset, Manchester, Bondville, Sandgate, Winhall, Shaftsbury

For the broader travel overview: Bennington County.