Eden: Water, Trails and Local History

When choosing a hotel in Eden, it helps to decide which side of the town you want to focus on: water and camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, nature research or local history. These points of interest are spread across different sites. Green River Reservoir State Park centers on a large undeveloped body of water and non-motorized recreation; Lake Eden Recreation Area offers camping for residents and visitors. Other highlights include Long Trail State Forest, a section of the Catamount Trail and Babcock Nature Preserve.

Water and boat access at Green River Reservoir

Green River Reservoir State Park is located in the towns of Hyde Park and Eden and encompasses about 5,110 acres of land around Green River Reservoir. The reservoir is one of Vermont’s largest undeveloped bodies of water and is also the state’s largest body of water reserved exclusively for non-motorized recreation. There are numerous opportunities for swimming at the reservoir. The park also has 27 remote tent sites accessible by boat. The park does not rent boats, so be sure to factor in boat access if you plan to stay at one of these sites.

Camping at Lake Eden Recreation Area

Residents and visitors can camp at Lake Eden Recreation Area. Reservations are available for tent sites, shelter rentals and RV overnight sites. You can reserve by emailing lera@edenvt.org or calling (802) 635-7725. A deposit must be received to confirm the reservation. Keep this requirement in mind if you are considering any of the three types of accommodation. Reservations are for Lake Eden Recreation Area and should not be confused with the remote, boat-accessible tent sites at Green River Reservoir State Park.

Hiking, cross-country skiing and trail connections

Long Trail State Forest also extends into Eden and protects the Long Trail for hiking. Cross-country skiing is also possible in the forest. A section of the Catamount Trail runs through Eden as well. The descriptions emphasize different things: Long Trail State Forest connects hiking on the Long Trail with cross-country skiing as another possible activity; for the Catamount Trail, the specific local connection is a section that passes through Eden. If you are looking up trail names as you plan your trip, this distinction can help you tell the two trails apart.

Nature research and local history

Babcock Nature Preserve in Eden encompasses 1,000 acres of forest, ponds and a marsh. The property serves as an outdoor laboratory for research and study in field biology, ornithology, and environmental and natural sciences. Here, a distinctive landscape of forest, ponds and marsh is paired with designated fields of research. Alongside Eden’s connections to water and trails, this gives the nature theme a scientific perspective.

For local history, the Eden Historical Society published the 175-page history “A Walk Through the Garden of Eden” in 1996. The book covers Eden and includes old photographs of mills, lakeside cottages and notable homes, as well as diary entries by early settlers. A reference copy is held at the Town Clerk’s Office. Its combination of images of buildings and landscapes with personal records offers several ways to explore the town’s history.

Discover more destinations: Stowe, Hyde Park.

For the broader travel overview: Lamoille.