Smugglers’ Notch is a mountain pass that runs through the Green Mountains, as part of the Mount Mansfield State Forest. At 4,393 ft, Mount Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont.
The Notch is a very steep and winding 3.5-mile long highway that squeezes down to one lane to pass between two boulders. At points, the cliffs on either side of the road stand at 1,000 feet, towering over drivers below. The road is closed in winter due to the perilous driving conditions – closures usually occur as soon as the first time it snows in late October and do not reopen until sometimes as late as mid-May.
This meandering road is not just a stunning sight, but also has a fascinating history. Hidden from view by the monumental cliffs on either side, Smugglers’ Notch was historically used for various secretive enterprises. When President Thomas Jefferson placed an embargo on all trade with Great Britain and Canada in the early 1800s, Vermonters who depended on business with Montreal for their livelihoods used the Notch to smuggle goods across the border. The Notch was also frequently used by fugitive slaves who were escaping the United States searching for freedom in Canada. Finally, during Prohibition, bootleggers used the Notch as a way to smuggle liquor from their northern neighbors into the country.
The area was designated as a Vermont State Park in the 1930s and now includes a campground, a day-use area, and various hiking trails. Due to both the steepness of the road and tightness of the turns and passage between the two boulders, the road is only open to passenger vehicles, and tractor-trailers and commercial vehicles are barred. RVs are highly discouraged, but not technically disallowed, due to the likelihood they get stuck. The campground is relatively modern, with flush toilets, hot and cold running water, coin-operated hot showers, and firewood and ice available for sale. Hikes include the Long Trail that passes through the Green Mountains, the Hell Brook Trail, and the Sterling Pond Trail.
