​"St. Johnsbury: Best small town for outdoor adventure"
— National Geographic Adventure​

St. Johnsbury was named "the best small town for outdoor adventure" by National Geographic, and you'll find adventures here for every taste and ability. Scroll down for listings of outdoor & indoor recreational amenities, guides & services, and wellness opportunities.

​​Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

​Trailhead: 534 Main St.

​St. Johnsbury is the beginning (or end) of New England's longest rail trail, stretching 95 miles across northern Vermont. The four-season Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is perfect for biking, walking, hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, x-c skiing, or snowmobiling. Visit the link below for a full guide to the trail in St. Johnsbury, including parking information, and more.

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Observatory Knob Hiking Trail

Trailhead off of Mt. Pleasant St.​

Hiking trail easily accessible from downtown, with gorgeous views of the surrounding vista. Elevation: 1099 ft.

​Park at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, walk back along the road to find the informal trailhead leading you uphill.

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Fishing & Boating

The Passumpsic, Moose, and Sleepers Rivers come together in St. Johnsbury. The Passumpsic in particular is well known for its well established trout fishing, stocked by the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife. A boating guide to various Passumpsic River paddling routes is available for free download, or hard-copy the Welcome Center.

Boating Guide

Fishing Regulations

Mountain Biking Trails at NVRH

Caledonia Trail Collaborative maintains mountain biking trails open to the public in St. Johnsbury, near campus of NVRH.

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Parks

St. Johnsbury maintains a variety of municipal parks, many with picnic amenities.

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​​St. Johnsbury Town Forest

Trailhead off of Almshouse Rd.

Within walking distance of downtown, 97 acres of forest features a scenic trail network with views of town and the Moose River. Check out the new intermediate/advanced mountain biking trails developed by the Caledonia Trail Collaborative! Picnic pavilion at trailhead.

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Gravel Biking Routes

The Northeast Kingdom is home to some of the best gravel bike routes in the state. Search "St. Johnsbury" on the NEK Gravel website for mapped routes that start in town and take you on excursions through the area's beautiful back roads.

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Emerson Falls

Lovely cascade on the Sleepers River, accessible from the Emerson Fall Business Park. A short path leads from the parking area down to the base of the falls.

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Kiwanis Public Pool

74 Barker Ave.
(802) 748-5031

Free public outdoor swimming pool, operated by the local chapter of Kiwanis. They offer free swimming lessons for children from infants to 15 years old and open swim times for families.

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Downtown Walking Routes

Prepared by NVRH and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, find twelve walking routes in downtown St. Johnsbury that are mapped and easy to follow. You can find printed maps at the Welcome Center, Boxcar & Caboose Bookstore, and outside of Northern Express Care, or click the link below for a PDF.

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Gold Crown Lanes

212 Hastings Hill
(802) 748-2205

16 lanes of ten-pin bowling, available with bumpers for children. Also home to the Lamplighter Lounge and Sports Bar and an arcade.

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​​St. Johnsbury Country Club

4357 Memorial Dr.
(802) 748-9894

Open seasonally to members and the public, this 18-hole golf course was designed by Willie Park, Jr. and Geoffrey Cornish. 

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Public Tennis Courts

Barker Ave.​

Three free public hard surface tennis courts, operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Off Barker Ave. behind the St. Johnsbury School, turn right and parking is on the right.

Outdoor Skating Rinks

 Main & Winter Streets and
Portland & Concord Avenues

Community volunteers operate two free outdoor skating rinks in the winter: one at the 'Four Seasons Park' on Main Street and the other at the Buck Park on Portland Street. Heating huts and lights at each. Follow @StJRec on Facebook for updates on when ice conditions allow the rinks to be open, usually starting in late December through February, weather permitting.

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Guides & Services

Bike Gear Lending Library

NEK Prosper has expanded their Gear Lending Library into the summer! Register for free bike, helmet, and bike lock rentals for youth and adults. Bike pick up is during business hours at RecFit St. J on Perkins Street.

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Land Animal Adventures

Gravel bike tour company based in St. Johnsbury. Check out our Calendar page to see when the next weekly meet-up event hosted by Land Animal Adventures is taking place. 

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Caledonia Bike Works

A full-service bike repair shop, they can get you tuned up and ready to hit the trail! CBW also shares space with LINK Vermont, a repair and refurbished bike sale nonprofit.

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Winter Gear Lending Library

NEK Prosper provides free snowshoes for all ages from toddler to adult, and trekking poles and MICROspikes in adult sizes. This gear library is open seasonally, and operated out of RecFit St. J on Perkins Street. Make sure to place your reservations 24 hours in advance.

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Fitness & Wellness

Town Recreation Department

St. Johnsbury's Recreation Department operates team sports for youth and adults, plus pick-up sports, meet ups, and more.

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Popups in the Park

NEK Prosper! offers FREE fitness classes in parks around St. Johnsbury and local towns during the months of July and August.

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RecFit Fitness Center

49 Perkins St.
(802) 751-2305

Non-profit community health and wellness center featuring a full-service gym, free weight and Nautilus equipment, cardio equipment, group fitness classes,  personal training, indoor tennis court, pickleball courts, racquetball court, pool tables, and ping pong.

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Fitness Jungle

156 Eastern Avenue 

Fitness studio featuring Inferno Hot Pilates, TRX, and Mat Pilates, as well as art workshops.

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Fitness Unbound

2000 Memorial Dr., Suite #5
(802) 274-3277

24-hour fitness facility with equipment and personal training.

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Tai Chi in the Park

49 Winter St.
(802) 748-5182

Weekly outdoor Tai Chi class held in the Four Seasons Park on Main Street, sponsored by the NEK Council on Aging.

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