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The site details and map below come from the public Recreation.gov record and are accurate. For current dates and to book, go to Recreation.gov.
Townshend Lake is a flood control project operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving communities within the West River Valley, and those downstream. In addition to protection from floods, the lake provides many recreational opportunities, including picnicking, hiking, and fishing.
Townshend Lake offers ample recreation opportunities. A boat ramp provides access for canoeing, kayaking and small motor boats (10hp or less). The lake is stocked once a year with Rainbow Trout for the enjoyment of anglers. The three group shelters are surrounded by many individual picnic tables with charcoal grills for smaller groups to enjoy. The Ledges Overlook Trail offers stunning views of the Green Mountains along the 1.7 mile loop, with Townshend Lake Nature Area a short drive north up Route 30 offering access to the West River Trail.
Within the Townshend Lake Recreation Area, three large picnic shelters are available for reservation, each equipped with electrical hookups to better accommodate your events. Individual picnic sites can be found throughout the park, providing a resting place for those who wish to enjoy all that the park has to offer, including playgrounds, volleyball courts, horse shoe pits, scenic views, and hiking trails. Restrooms within the Day Use area provide flush toilets and potable water during the recreation season.
The recreation area sits in the West River Valley behind the Townshend Dam on the shores of Townshend Lake. The picnic area offers many large trees for shade along with other sun-basked open areas.
The Townshend Lake Nature Area is located 2 miles north of Townshend Dam on Vermont Route 30, near West Townshend, VT.
The Historic Scott Covered Bridge is located 1/2 mile south of Townshend Dam, on Vermont Route 30.
Townshend Lake is located 19 miles north of Brattleboro, Vermont, on Vermont Route 30.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗












Online reservations for this facility, where offered, are made through Recreation.gov. Pick the unit on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Townshend Lake Recreation Area, so there is nothing to date here. That is a gap in coverage — it does not mean the facility is full or closed. Check Recreation.gov for current dates.
Choose the reservation dates you want at Townshend Lake Recreation Area.
Campsite Sniper can monitor this facility and notify you if a selected date becomes available.
When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.