VAST Trail System – Kingdom Connector

The VAST Kingdom Connector threads through Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom like a dirt artery, connecting Burke Mountain to Lake Willoughby via 47 miles of groomed ATV trails that double as summer overlanding routes. Originally carved as logging roads in the 1920s, these trails now form the backbone of Vermont’s Association of Snow Travelers network, with the Kingdom section offering some of the state’s most challenging backcountry navigation through dense hardwood forests and across multiple stream crossings.

This moderate to difficult route demands high-clearance 4WD and solid map-reading skills—GPS gets sketchy in the deep woods. Best tackled May through October when stream levels drop, though mud season (April-May) turns sections into axle-deep slop. No permits required, but VAST membership helps with detailed trail maps. Dispersed camping allowed on state land sections. You’ll earn spectacular views of the Green Mountains and access to some of Vermont’s most isolated fishing holes—assuming you can navigate the maze of intersecting logging roads without getting turned around.