Camping
Day use
THINGS TO DO
Camping
Hiking
Swimming
Boating
Fishing
Biking
Park Events & Programs
Venture Vermont
Winter Activities
Other Activities
Family Fun
Enjoying Nature
Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Fee Area: Day Use fees apply
Pets are not permitted at this park.
Park Updates & Alerts
- Firewood is not to be brought to parks UNLESS the wood is packaged, labeled as having been heat treated, and certified by USDA or the appropriate state department of agriculture. For more info, click here.
- Check for beach closures and latest swimwater test results for this location.
Take exit 10 from I-89, continue on 100 N for 3 miles. Turn onto Reservoir Road and continue for .04 miles.
Remote Camping: There are also 27 remote campsites along the Waterbury Reservoir shoreline that are only accessible by boat. The remote campsites can be reserved online or through the Reservation Call Center at 1-888-409-7579. Those not reserved are first come/first served. The sites have privies but no potable water. See the Waterbury Reservoir Remote Camping page for more information.
Hiking: A universally-accessible trail was created in 2010.
Swimming: Waterbury Center State Park has a beach with a designated swimming area.
Boating: Boats are welcome at the park. There is a boat launch, and canoes and kayaks can be rented through Umiak Outfitters.
Stand-up Paddle Boarding: SUP's are available to rent through the park.
Fishing: Some of the fish species in Waterbury Reservoir include rainbow trout, perch, and bullhead.
Picnicking: A great park for bringing a picnic lunch. Lots of grassy areas and picnic tables for visitors.
Welcome
Waterbury Center State Park lies on the easterly trivium of Waterbury Reservoir, a quarter mile off VT Route 100. It is an integral recreation resource in Central Vermont and one of the newer park facilities within Mount Mansfield State Forest. The Reservoir is the ninth largest body of water in the state of Vermont and was created in the 1930's by the CCC as a flood control project to protect towns and villages along the Winooski River Valley. From late spring to early fall the Reservoir is maintained to a surface area of 850 acres and has a maximum depth of 100 feet. To prepare for normal spring snow melt and runoff, the surface area is reduced to between 415 - 610 acres throughout the winter. The designed flood control capacity of Waterbury Reservoir is approximately 9,000,000,000 gallons.
Waterbury Reservoir is also a great place to fish.
Facilities/Amenities
The park is located on a 90-acre peninsula and contains:
- 17 picnic sites
- 27 remote paddle-to campsites (see map)
- picnic tables
- charcoal grills
- a swimming beach
- a nature trail
- trailer boat ramp
- boat rentals - available until Labor Day
- restrooms
A universally accessible trail includes two accessible fishing platforms.
The remote campsites can only be reserved online or through our call center. Sites not reserved are first come/first served. Information about open campsites may be found at each access area. Campsites may be used by any single party for up to 7 days. Every remote campsite has a maximum occupancy of 6 people, unless otherwise posted. Boats are not provided, with campers required to bring their own vessels.