Smugglers' Notch
Stowe, VT
Route 108 squeezes through a narrow pass between steep cliffs and giant boulders, with pull-offs for short walks among the rocks. The road is steep and tight, so take it slowly and check that it is open before you go.
Vermont Route 108 runs from Stowe through Smugglers' Notch to Jeffersonville. The road was improved for automobile traffic in 1922 and winds its way between huge boulders, dense forest and cliffs rising nearly 1,000 feet (about 300 m). The name goes back to smuggling: during the Embargo of 1807, locals moved goods and livestock across the border to get around the trade ban, and later, during Prohibition, liquor was brought in from Canada.
The stretch is very steep and narrow, with hairpin turns. Tractor-trailers are banned, and the state transportation agency urges large trucks, buses and RVs to use alternate routes year-round. If you travel by RV, check beforehand that your vehicle will fit. Between the State Forest parking lot and Smugglers' Notch Resort, the road is closed in winter, usually from late October until May (as of October 2026). Trails, including the one to Sterling Pond, and climbing routes start from parking areas along the road.
- Nearest town
- Stowe, VT
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.5290, -72.7880
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Smugglers Notch State Park CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Smugglers' Notch
- Group Camping AreaCampsite2 mi from Smugglers' Notch
- Twin Brooks Tenting AreaCampsite3 mi from Smugglers' Notch
- Smugglers Notch RV VillageMotorhome stopover6 mi from Smugglers' NotchMotorhomes
- Shelburne Camping AreaMotorhome stopover23 mi from Smugglers' NotchMotorhomes
- Apple Island ResortCampsite25 mi from Smugglers' NotchCaravans
All campsites in Vermont · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Smugglers' Notch?
Smugglers' Notch is in Stowe, VT, at GPS 44.5290, -72.7880. It is about 21 mi from Burlington.
Can you camp near Smugglers' Notch?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 21 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Smugglers' Notch?
Places worth a stop nearby: Vermont State House (21 mi), Church Street Marketplace (21 mi), Shelburne Museum (24 mi) and Mount Philo State Park (28 mi).
When is the best time to visit Smugglers' Notch?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)