Located in beautiful South Hero, VT, the Tracy Woods Community Trail was conserved in 2018 as part of the Tracy Woods Conservation Project. This kid-friendly, one-mile-long loop trail features towering hemlock trees, unique second-growth cedar forests, and a wetland teeming with wildlife. Recently restored thanks to the hard work of many local volunteers, the gentle and scenic trail is a great place to experience the beauty of the Champlain Islands.
The Tracy Woods Conservation Project protects 45 acres of fields and woodlands offering bucolic views of South Hero and the Green Mountains, as well as 450 feet of Lake Champlain shoreline. The protected land contains five distinct natural communities, including a Lakeside Floodplain Forest and Silver Maple-Green Ash Swamp.
Download a PDF version of this map.
Directions
From the South and Points East: Take I-89 to the Champlain Islands Exit (Exit 17, US Route 2 W). Follow Route 2 West toward the Islands for approximately 9 miles. Just past the village of South Hero take a left onto Tracy Road, staying right at the junction with Station Road. The parking area will be on your left just before the small octagonal barn.
From the Northern Islands Region and Points West: Take US Route 2 East toward South Hero. About one mile south of the intersection of Routes 2 and 314 take a right onto Tracy Road. The parking area will be on your right just after the small octagonal barn.
The Tracy Woods Community Trail is located at 36 Tracy Road in South Hero, which is just north of the village center. You can generate custom driving directions using this link to Google Maps.
History
The Tracy family has carefully stewarded this land since 1841. They created a unique balance of well-managed forest, farm fields, and marshy shoreline habitat. In 2016, they partnered with South Hero Land Trust and the Lake Champlain Land Trust to conserve their land and continue a tradition of community access. Thanks to support from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and our community, the woods were conserved with a permanent conservation easement by the partners in 2018.
Because this trail is on a working farm, temporary trail closures may occur. Please respect trail closure signs.
Pet Policy: Dogs must be leashed at all times for the protection of plants, wildlife and livestock. Failure to abide by this rule will result in future prohibition of all dogs on the trail.
Partners
The Tracy Woods Community Trail was conserved by South Hero Land Trust and the Lake Champlain Land Trust in 2018 with funding from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and many local donors. The trail was restored with the help of numerous community volunteers who generously donated their time.
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