Smugglers’ Notch Backside
Bootlegger's granite nightmare above Mount Mansfield
The backside of Smugglers’ Notch isn’t the tourist-friendly paved road—it’s the gnarly rock scramble that bootleggers used during Prohibition to haul Canadian whiskey into Vermont. This technical 4×4 route climbs the north face of Mount Mansfield through a maze of granite boulders and root-bound ledges, with obstacles like ‘Whiskey Rock’ and ‘Revenue Agent’s Revenge’ that’ll test your spotter’s nerves. The payoff is accessing some of the state’s most remote camping spots above treeline, with views across the Champlain Valley that made this smuggling route legendary.
Expert-level wheeling only—lockers, skid plates, and 35-inch tires minimum, plus a capable spotter who knows Vermont granite. The route is impassable from November through May due to snow, and even summer attempts require dry conditions since wet granite becomes ice-slick. No official permits, but respect private land boundaries near the base. This isn’t about mileage—it’s about conquering Vermont’s most technical terrain and camping where few dare to tread.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic |
| Length (miles) | 6 mi / 9.7 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3850 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Built 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Stowe, Vermont |
| Land manager | Vermont State Parks |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle Smugglers' Notch Backside?
No. Stock vehicles will get hung up on the granite ledges. You need a purpose-built 4WD with front and rear lockers, serious skid plates, and at minimum 33-inch tires — 35s are better. This trail will find every weakness in a stock rig.
When is the trail actually driveable?
July through September is your window. Spring snowmelt turns the granite shelves into waterfalls, and early October can bring ice at elevation with no warning. Don't push the shoulder seasons on this one.
Do I need a permit to run this trail?
Vermont State Parks manages the area — no dedicated OHV permit is required, but check current access status with Vermont State Parks before you go, as trail closures for resource protection happen and aren't always posted online in real time.
What's the hardest section and what makes it dangerous?
The exposed granite ledge shelf around 3,400 feet is where rigs get stuck or tipped. There's minimal room to maneuver, steep off-camber exposure, and no good recovery anchor points nearby. A mistake here means a serious roll — not a winch-out situation.
Is there water available on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There's no reliable potable water on trail — pack everything in. Stowe is your last fuel stop, roughly 10 miles from the trailhead, so top off before you head up.
Trail track
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