Vermont Agency Seeks Public Input on Jamaica State Park Plan

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The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is inviting the public to participate in developing a new long-range management plan for Jamaica State Park, a 1,118-acre recreation destination in southern Vermont. An in-person public scoping meeting will be held on March 4, 2026, launching a month-long public comment period to gather input on the park's ecological, recreational, cultural, and economic values.

Why it matters

Jamaica State Park is one of Vermont's most popular state parks, featuring natural wonders like the 125-foot Hamilton Falls and the West River Trail. The long-range management plan will guide the park's conservation and public use for the next 20 years, so public input is crucial to ensure the plan balances the diverse needs and interests of park visitors and the local community.

The details

The long-range management plan will cover the full 211-acre Hamilton Falls Natural Area as well as the rest of the 1,118-acre park. It will not revisit the separate Hamilton Falls Master Plan, which addressed visitor use management specifically around the falls. Public input gathered during the summer of 2024 for the Hamilton Falls Master Plan will be incorporated into the broader park plan.

• The public scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
• The public comment period will remain open until Friday, April 3, 2026.

What’s next

The public comments gathered during the scoping period will help shape the draft long-range management plan, which will then be released for further public review before a final version is adopted.