Free fishing day and free entry at state parks, historic sites next weekend
June 6, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Little River State Park in Waterbury is a popular state park for camping, boating, swimming, hiking and biking. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti.
As part of the annual Vermont Days start to summer, the state of Vermont offers free admission to Vermont State Parks and Vermont State Historic Sites on Saturday-Sunday, June 14-15, and Vermont’s statewide free fishing day is also Saturday, June 14.
“Whether you spend the day exploring a state park, learning more about Vermont’s history, or trying fishing for the first time during Free Fishing Day, there are free activities to enjoy all weekend throughout the state,” said Department of Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham.
Vermont’s 55 state parks stretch from the shores of Lake Champlain, up and down the Green Mountains. Vermont also has six official historic sites including President Calvin Coolidge’s homestead in Plymouth Notch, Mount Independence and Chimney Point. (Note that Old Constitution House and Senator Justin S. Morrill State Historic Sites are closed this season for restoration work.
In addition, admission on June 14 will be free at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier and the Vermont History Center in Barre.
Bennington Battle Monument gets a check-up
Ahead of the weekend, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation says the Bennington Battle Monument will be temporarily closed June 9-12 for critical maintenance work.
The 306-foot-tall monument commemorating the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington is the tallest man-made building in Vermont. A two-year study to examine its construction and condition found that the structure is in need of maintenance to address cracking and excessive moisture. A safety inspection team will repel the monument next week to remove loose rock. It will be closed to the public, but visitors are welcome to observe the maintenance operation.
“The Bennington Battle Monument is a sacred place that commemorates the American fight for independence at the Battle of Bennington in Walloomsac, New York,” said Laura V. Trieschmann, State Historic Preservation Officer. “This nationally significant Monument is structurally sound, but its preservation and restoration require careful examination, as well as ongoing maintenance.”
The monument commemorating a key American Revolutionary War battle was dedicated in 1891 in a ceremony led by President Benjamin Harrison. Today, it’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places and any maintenance must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and guidelines set by the American Institute for Conservation.
It is expected to reopen to the public on June 13.
Below is a schedule of special events for the June 14-15 weekend.
Free Fishing Day
June 14: Vermont's Free Fishing Day allows both resident and non-resident anglers to go fishing statewide in Vermont for the day without a license. Although a license is not required, all anglers still need to follow state fishing regulations. Learn more about Free Fishing Day here.
Grand Isle Fishing Festival
June 14: Happening from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station, 14 Bell Hill Road, Grand Isle. Designed for young anglers and families, this free event offers basic fishing instruction, free fishing equipment to borrow, and the chance for kids to catch big trout in the hatchery pond. The day includes a variety of activities such as learning about fish biology, fly casting, law digest and regulations, lure-making and fish-cleaning. More details about the festival here..
Vermont History Museum in Montpelier
June 14: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 109 State St., Montpelier, the Vermont History Museum will be open by donation for all visitors. Check out permanent and seasonal exhibits that tell the stories of Vermont and the people who have lived here.
Mount Independence lecture on John Hancock
June 14: 1-2 p.m. Noted historian Willard Sterne Randall will share a presentation about John Hancock, whose bold signature was the first on the new Declaration of Independence in 1776. Hancock is the subject of Randall’s new historical biography, “John Hancock: First to Sign, First to Invest in America's Independence,” being released June 10. Books will be available to purchase. This J. Robert Maguire lecture is sponsored by the Mount Independence Coalition.
Flag Day at the Bennington Battle Monument
June 14: Phyllis Chapman will lead the Flag Day celebrations, including an American Legion ceremony, activities for children, and information on flag protocol, including a demonstration of proper flag-folding. Free flags for everyone, and bubbles for the kids.
The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch is one of six sites offering free admission on Vermont Days. Photo courtesy the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
Go fly a kite
June 14-15: Visitors are encouraged to bring kites to fly at Vermont historic sites: President Calvin Coolidge’s homestead, Mount Independence, Hubbardton Battlefield and Chimney Point.
Kite kits are offered for sale at the sites, and there are kites available to borrow.
To request accessible accommodations for any of the events, contact Erin Robinson, Marketing Strategy and Creative Services Manager, by email to erin.robinson@vermont.gov or call 802-522-7915. More information is online at vermontdays.com.