Looking Forward to a Successful & Safe Summer
April 8, 2021
Preparing for more trail users with advanced educational messaging.
KT Landowners, Community, and Members,
Once again Mother Nature has deemed our winter season come to an end. The Kingdom Trails network is currently closed due to mud season conditions in order to protect the natural resources and future of the trails. We are not yet able to say when the ground will be dry and ready for recreation, but until then we thank you all for respecting the land and seasonal trail closure.
During this in-between season the KT Team is hard at work preparing for a successful summer ahead. It is an understatement to say that 2020 was a season like no other, however we learned a lot from managing our trails throughout the pandemic, ensuring the safety of our staff, landowners, community, and members. We are grateful to all for riding with gratitude and respecting our priority to take care of our local community. We plan to continue our COVID19 practices of adhering to the State of Vermont’s guidelines, and evolving as they do.
Kingdom Trails is anticipating increased visitor numbers compared to last summer due to the availability of vaccines and the expanding VT cross state travel policy.
To properly prepare for this increase in visitors we will be dedicating our time to advanced educational messaging for trail users.
Along with physical distance, masks, and sanitary measures, these messages will encompass tips for dispersing the increased traffic. We will ask folks to be patient
and communicate
respectfully, show appreciation for our landowners
and local community, avoid peak times
and days, explore other trails
that are not the most popular, not to overflow KT parking areas
and only park in approved KT locations, purchase your memberships in advance online, follow Leave No Trace
principles and abide by our Ride With Gratitude
code of conduct. We want all to respect each other
and be an active part in making the outdoors welcoming and inclusive for all abilities and identities.
To further increase education, engagement and accountability efforts, while encouraging respectful behaviour, KT Ambassadors will be stationed at key trailheads and strategic trail locations to share our code of conduct and inform users that they are on private property.
The KT Capacity Study, to be finalized this Spring, is also tackling the increased traffic concern as it is addressing issues relating to crowding, congestion, safety, and general pressure being placed on our local communities. With the goal of improving the quality of life for our region, we are excited to share the study’s final recommendations
and get to work contemplating the suggested strategies and implementing community infrastructure to address the growing number of users and capacity imbalances in the system.
We appreciate more than ever the sanctuary that being outdoors provides. Thank you all for your support of Kingdom Trails and our community. We can’t wait until the dirt dries out and our amazing crew gives the thumbs up so we can hit the trails, as we understand the outdoors is a refuge, a safe place to gather, and an essential source of renewal. Until then we hope all continues to be happy and healthy!
We are so grateful,
Abby & the KT Team
EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .
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October 18th, 2025 from 7-10 PM
