Downer State Forest

Downer State Forest, also known as Charles Downer State Forest, covers in Sharon, Vermont in Windsor County. The forest is managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. The forest was established in 1910 by a gift from Charles Downer to establish a forestry demonstration area.
Activities in the forest include hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hunting and wildlife viewing. It is also managed for timber resources.
The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers grooms the forest road as a snowmobile trail in the winter.

History

The forest was established in 1910 by a gift from Charles Downer to create a forestry demonstration area. The forest features conifer plantations he planted. The state forest highway, Camp Downer, and fishing pond were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.