Plan your Orange outings around three interests: hiking trails with different permitted uses, seasonal winter activities and local history. Trails in particular are worth a closer look: alongside short paths, there are multi-use routes and a 36-mile trail connecting four towns.
Hiking trails with different permitted uses
Allis State Park sits atop Bear Hill. There, the Bear Hill Nature Trail is a 0.75-mile, family-friendly loop with beautiful views. In Thetford Hill State Forest, the five-kilometer Woods Hill Trail is used for running and cross-country skiing. The forest was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 because of its historic structures; some of these were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The Cross Rivendell Trail runs 36 miles from Vershire to Mount Cube, connects four towns and passes through West Fairlee and Fairlee. It is maintained as a resource for place-based education at Rivendell schools and for community recreation. If you want to compare different trail types, Tunbridge offers shorter examples with clearly different permitted uses: the 0.72-mile Orchard Trail is open to various non-motorized uses, though seasonal or weather-related closures may occur. The 0.3-mile Falls Hill Trail is open to hiking and biking.
The 1.1-mile Wicopy Woods Trail is currently open to walking only; biking is expected to be allowed soon. The 0.3-mile Strawberry Hill Trail is also for walking only, with parking for access along Morrill Road. This lets you choose based on your preferred activity rather than considering trail length alone. Permitted uses at Fairlee Marsh Wildlife Management Area include regulated hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking and wildlife observation.
Winter trails and waterfront access
In Washington State Forest, elevations range from 1,650 feet at Cooksville Brook to 2,000 feet on a forested hardwood ridge in the southern part of the area. A VAST snowmobile trail runs through the forest; seasonal trail conditions may vary. When ice and weather conditions are suitable, Lake Morey Skate Trail offers more than four miles of cleared ice. The trail is free and open to the public; its official access point is at Fairlee Town Beach.
Lake Fairlee also has two public access points on Route 244 in West Fairlee: the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife access point and boat ramp, and Thetford’s Treasure Island. Fees apply at Treasure Island. Check current fees and seasonal conditions before your visit.
Museums, architecture and local history
The Justin Smith Morrill Homestead is currently closed to the public for extensive repairs to the house and grounds; guided tours are expected to resume in summer 2027. The Homestead Gallery explores the origins of Gothic Revival architecture and Morrill’s interest in the style. An exhibit in the Morrill Ice House focuses on the importance of ice in the 19th century.
The Randolph Historical Society Museum is open on select days outside the winter months and by appointment. Plan ahead to schedule a visit. The Williamstown Historical Society Museum is right on Williamstown’s Main Street on Route 14, next to the town offices. In Tunbridge, five covered bridges follow the First Branch of the White River and Vermont Route 110.
General Sylvanus Thayer’s birthplace is a restored house dating to 1720. As a museum and the town’s historic center, it is furnished in the style of a prominent home from around 1785. The Playhouse in Randolph is considered Vermont’s first purpose-built movie theater and possibly the oldest in the state. In summer, the Brookfield Historical Society operates the Marvin Newton House, where visitors can see an extensive textile collection and rooms that illustrate the long history of the house and its residents.
Northeast Slopes serves burgers made with locally raised, grass-fed beef and Cabot cheese; the food offerings may change. If you’re looking for hotels in Orange, first decide whether hiking trails, winter activities or historic sites will shape your stay. This will help you focus your search on the destinations that matter most to your plans.
Discover more destinations: Fairlee, Newbury, Corinth, Windham County, Bennington County, Lamoille, Washington and Grand Isle County.
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