Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area Circuit

The Victory Basin WMA encompasses 4,970 acres of pristine wetlands, old-growth forest, and sphagnum bogs in Vermont’s remote Northeast Kingdom. This network of interconnected logging roads and wildlife management tracks creates a roughly 15-mile circuit through terrain that feels more like northern Canada than New England. The route passes through the heart of Victory Basin’s famous bog complex, where moose sightings are common and the silence can be absolute. Watch for the old CCC camp foundations near Burke Mountain and the hand-built stone culverts that still channel water after 80 years.

This is expert-level terrain requiring serious 4WD capability, especially during spring and fall when the clay-based roads become nearly impassable quagmires. Approach only with aggressive tread tires, recovery gear, and ideally a second vehicle. June through August offers the most reliable access, though even then expect deep mud holes and challenging stream crossings. No facilities exist within the area, but the remoteness and wildlife viewing opportunities make this one of Vermont’s most rewarding backcountry experiences for prepared overlanders.