June 13-14: Free entry to Vermont state parks, historic sites
June 8 2026 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Little River State Park in Waterbury is a popular state park for camping, boating, swimming, hiking and biking. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
The State of Vermont kicks off the summer season with free admission to Vermont State Parks and Vermont State Historic Sites on Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14.
Known as Vermont Days, the annual invitation encourages Vermonters and visitors to get outside, learn, recreate, fish and more.
Gov. Phil Scott said the weekend offers a good opportunity to explore Vermont parks and landmarks with friends and family. “We’re fortunate to live in such a beautiful state with impressive landmarks and tight-knit communities,” said Gov. Phil Scott. “Vermont Days are a good way to welcome more Vermonters and visitors to these sites. Going outside, enjoying ourselves, and connecting with our neighbors has never been more important.”
Vermont’s 55 state parks and six historic sites and museums will offer free admission to day-use areas for June 13-14. On June 13, residents and non-residents can also fish without a license for Free Fishing Day. Additional details and a full schedule of events are available below.
Department of Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham notes that there free activities to enjoy all weekend across state.
In addition, the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier and the Vermont History Center in Barre will offer free admission on Saturday, June 13.
Vermont Days schedule
June 13-14
Free state park day use, 10 a.m. to sunset, statewide. More information: vtstateparks.com/day-use.
Free historic sites access, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., statewide. More information: historicsites.vermont.gov.
Saturday, June 13
Free Fishing Day: All day, statewide. Resident and nonresident anglers may fish for the day without a license. Those fishing still need to follow state fishing regulations. Learn more here.
Grand Isle Fishing Festival: 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station, 14 Bell Hill Road, Grand Isle. Designed for young anglers and families, this free event offers basic fishing instruction, equipment to borrow, and a chance for kids to catch big trout in the hatchery pond. Activities will offer learning about fish biology, fly casting, law digest and regulations, lure-making, fish cleaning and more. More about the festival here.
Vermont History Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 60 Washington Street, Barre.
Visit the Research and Exhibition gallery to explore hundreds of artifacts and the Leahy Library “Illustrating History” exhibit to view a selection of original documents depicting events across 250 years of Vermont history. The exhibition exclusively features materials from the Vermont Historical Society’s collections.
Vermont History Museum: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 109 State Street, Montpelier.
Exhibits include “Illustrating History” and “Freedom & Unity,” which tell the story of Vermont and the people who have lived here.
Branbury State Park free concert: Noon at 3570 Lake Dunmore Road, Salisbury. The band The Rustics will play family-friendly Americana folk and juke-joint blues music.
Kill Kare State Park free concert: 1-4 p.m. at 2714 Hathaway Point Road, St. Albans. The band Magnetic Horse will play rock, classic rock, folk rock, country, blues, and more from the 60s through today, including original tunes by band member Jon Randel's Filters Force the Light album.
Elmore State Park free concert: 5 p.m., 856 VT Route 12, Elmore. Singer/songwriter David Karl Roberts brings his soulful melodies, outlaw folk, swampy acoustic blues, and Americana for this evening concert. A regular on the Northern New England music scene for several decades, Roberts has opened for nationally touring artists including Dave Bromberg, Hot Tuna, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Fairport Convention.
Sunday, June 14
Bennington Battle Monument Flag Day Celebration: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 15 Monument Circle, Bennington. Historic interpreter Phyllis Chapman will lead Flag Day celebrations, with activities for children and information on flag protocol, including a demonstration of proper flag folding. Free flags for everyone, and bubbles for the kids.
Kill Kare State Park free concert: 1-2:30 p.m., 2714 Hathaway Point Road, St. Albans. The band MOMDAD plays indie, pop, funk and more.
More information is online at vermontdays.com.