Downer State Forest, also known as Charles Downer State Forest, covers 705 acres (2.85 km2) in Sharon, Vermont in Windsor County.[1] The forest is managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. The forest was established in 1910 by a gift from Charles Downer to establish a forestry demonstration area.

Downer State Forest
Map
TypeState forest
LocationSharon, Windsor County, Vermont
Coordinates43°47′14″N 72°23′16″W / 43.7872°N 72.3879°W / 43.7872; -72.3879
Area705 acres (2.85 km2)
Created1910
Operated byVermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
StatusOpen For Public use
WebsiteWebsite

Activities in the forest include hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hunting and wildlife viewing.[2] It is also managed for timber resources.

The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers grooms the forest road as a snowmobile trail in the winter.

History

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The forest was established in 1910 by a gift from Charles Downer to create a forestry demonstration area. The forest features conifer plantations he planted. The state forest highway, Camp Downer, and fishing pond were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Downer State Forest". Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Downer State Forest". Trail Finder. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  3. ^ "History". Camp Downer. Archived from the original on 5 September 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
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