Centennial Woods Natural Area
An urban woods where you can disappear for two hours
About this park
A 65-acre UVM-owned nature preserve threaded with winding trails, boardwalks, and stream crossings just minutes from downtown Burlington. Reviewers call it a quiet urban oasis where you can easily lose an hour or two under towering maples without crossing paths with many other people. Loops range from a quick 30-minute walk to a multi-hour trek, with a few steep climbs mixed in.
Amenities
Centennial Woods Natural Area reviews
What visitors consistently sayReviewers praise the beautiful hardwood forest, the mix of boardwalks and stream crossings, and how quiet and uncrowded the trails stay even mid-day. The variety of loop lengths means you can tailor the outing to your dog's energy level.
Best for
Before you go
Trails branch frequently with few signs, so pay attention to junctions if you're not using a map. Check thoroughly for ticks after warm-weather visits.
Frequently asked
- Is Centennial Woods a fenced dog park?
- No. It's a 65-acre network of wooded trails, not an enclosure, with loops that run anywhere from a quick 30 minutes to a two-hour trek.
- How crowded does it get?
- Rarely. Reviewers describe near-empty trails even midday, and several longtime locals didn't know the preserve existed.
- Are ticks a concern here?
- Yes. Visitors flag it as tick country, so check your dog thoroughly after any warm-weather walk.
- Is it easy to find your way around?
- The trails branch frequently with few signs. Track your junctions or carry a map, since it's easy to get turned around.
- Where do you park?
- The trailhead access off I-89 isn't obvious; one visitor noted having no idea where to leave the car, so scout it before you go.
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