Vermont Route 108 Smugglers’ Notch
New England's tightest mountain squeeze play
The boulder field at the top of Smugglers’ Notch earned its name from Prohibition-era rum runners, but today it challenges overlanders with one of New England’s tightest mountain passes. Route 108 climbs 2,162 feet through Stowe State Forest, threading between massive granite boulders that scrape anything wider than a standard pickup. The King Rock and Elephant Head formations create natural gates that have claimed mirrors and roofracks for decades.
This moderate route demands patience over clearance—stock vehicles handle it fine, but the 15% grades and hairpin turns require low gears and careful spotting. Closed from late October through May, summer months offer the best conditions with multiple pullouts for camping in Green Mountain National Forest. The payoff is quintessential Vermont wilderness and bragging rights for conquering the state’s most infamous pass. Fuel up in Stowe or Jeffersonville before the climb.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2162 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 2WD (narrow clearance) |
| Nearest town | Stowe, Vermont |
| Land manager | Vermont State Parks |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | vtstateparks.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a full-size truck or large SUV fit through Smugglers' Notch?
This is the critical question here — the notch has sections as narrow as 10 feet with sheer rock walls on both sides. Large trucks, vehicles with wide aftermarket bumpers, and anything towing a trailer will have serious trouble or won't make it through at all. Stock full-size trucks are borderline; compact SUVs and smaller rigs have no issues.
When does Route 108 through the Notch close for the season?
The road typically closes in late October or early November and reopens in late May or early June, depending on snowpack and ice conditions. Vermont State Parks makes the call — check vtstateparks.com/smugglers.html before you plan a shoulder-season run. Don't gamble on it; the closure dates shift year to year.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive through Smugglers' Notch?
No permit required and no fee to drive Route 108 through the Notch — it's a public state highway. Smugglers' Notch State Park itself charges day-use fees if you're parking and accessing the campground or facilities, but just driving through costs nothing.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The tightest squeeze is the boulder-flanked corridor near the summit at roughly 2,100 feet — the road narrows dramatically and large rocks jut into the travel lane with zero shoulder. It's not technical off-road driving, but it demands slow, deliberate movement and confidence in your vehicle's width. First-timers often underestimate how committing those few hundred yards feel.
Is there dispersed camping along the route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Dispersed camping is available in the area but the main camping option is Smugglers' Notch State Park campground, which has designated sites and requires a reservation through Vermont State Parks. For fuel, Stowe is your best bet — stock up there before heading in, as there's nothing at the Notch and cell service through the pass is spotty enough that you don't want to be troubleshooting a breakdown on the fly.
Trail track
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