UFOs, Ghosts, and Cryptids: Paranormal Vermont
Just a short drive north from Burlington, the town of Stowe offers more than just picturesque ski slopes and charming inns. Nestled in its surrounding woods is the Trapp Family Lodge, where the legacy of the Austrian singers mingles with local lore about mysterious lights in the twilight hours. Visitors who hike the nearby Sterling Pond Trail, a moderate 3.5-mile loop starting from the parking area near Mount Mansfield, often speak of inexplicable flickers of light dancing over the treetops as dusk settles. This spot is not only beloved for its crystal-clear pond reflecting the towering Green Mountains, but also for the aura of mystery that seems to settle with the fog. Autumn evenings, especially after a crisp day, provide the clearest chance to glimpse these phenomena, blending the beauty of Vermont’s wilderness with whispers of the unexplained.
Further east, the historic village of Bennington, about 45 minutes south of Manchester, is a haven for ghost enthusiasts. The Bennington Battle Monument, a soaring 306-foot granite obelisk commemorating a pivotal Revolutionary War battle, stands as a silent witness to the past. Visitors often report eerie sensations during twilight tours, as the monument’s shadow stretches over the surrounding landscape. The nearby Old First Church, dating back to 1805, is one of Vermont’s most haunted sites, where candlelit services and storytelling events recount apparitions said to roam the pews. The palpable sense of history and spectral tales intermingle here, making autumn and early winter evenings—the season when the veil between worlds is said to thin—the best time for a visit.
On Vermont’s northeastern frontier lies the town of Lyndonville, roughly 1.5 hours northeast of Montpelier, known among cryptid hunters for the mysterious “Lyndonville Lurker.” The nearby Willoughby State Forest offers an ideal setting for those intrigued by such legends. Hiking the scenic Bald Mountain Trail, a strenuous 3.5-mile round trip, rewards visitors with panoramic views over Lake Willoughby’s glacial fjord-like waters. It’s here that locals claim to have spotted shadowy figures moving through the dense forest undergrowth or strange sounds echoing at twilight. The forest’s thick canopy and the lake’s deep, dark waters create an atmosphere ripe for legend, especially on misty summer mornings or cool fall evenings when the woods seem alive with unseen watchers.
Heading toward the center of the state, Montpelier itself houses the Vermont History Museum, a treasure trove for those fascinated by the state’s folklore and unexplained encounters. The museum’s exhibits on local legends include artifacts and accounts of UFO sightings reported over the Green Mountains. Visitors can explore first-hand stories and newspaper clippings detailing mysterious lights and aerial phenomena from the mid-20th century. With its intimate galleries and expert curators, the museum offers a grounded, scholarly perspective on Vermont’s paranormal past, making it an excellent stop for families or solo travelers interested in the intersection of history and mystery. Winter visits reveal old accounts of “sky lanterns” over snowy fields, lending a seasonal magic to the tales.
In the southwestern corner of Vermont, the town of Brattleboro, about 30 miles south of Keene, New Hampshire, is a hotspot for spiritualists and seekers. The Brattleboro Retreat, a historic psychiatric hospital dating back to the 19th century, now hosts guided ghost tours that delve into its storied past. Walking the grounds after dark, visitors hear stories of former patients and staff whose spirits are said to linger in the old stone buildings and wooded areas. The hospital’s blend of imposing architecture and tranquil landscape creates a haunting juxtaposition, especially in late fall when the trees shed their leaves and the chill in the air sharpens the senses. These tours offer a rare glimpse into Vermont’s complex history with mental health care, wrapped in ghostly folklore.
About an hour southeast of Burlington, the Champlain Islands—a string of islands in Lake Champlain—hold their own paranormal charms. South Hero Island, the largest of the group, is home to the Grand Isle State Park, where fishermen and campers occasionally report strange lights darting over the water at night. The park’s shoreline trails and quiet campsites provide an intimate setting to watch the stars and contemplate the unexplained. The vastness of the lake, combined with minimal light pollution, makes summer evenings a prime time for skywatching. Many locals insist that these are not just natural phenomena but signs of otherworldly visitors, linking the islands to Vermont’s UFO lore.
Finally, tucked in the shadow of Mount Ascutney, about 20 miles south of White River Junction, the town of Windsor offers a surprising paranormal dimension. The Old Constitution House, a historic site where Vermont’s constitution was adopted in 1777, is said to be haunted by figures from the state’s founding era. Visitors can tour the colonial-era rooms and hear stories of ghostly footsteps and faint melodies of long-gone gatherings. The house’s weathered wood and period furnishings bring history alive, especially during quiet weekday mornings or on crisp fall afternoons when the autumn light filters softly through leaded-glass windows. Here, the past feels immediate, and the echoes of Vermont’s earliest days whisper alongside the wind.