North Branch Nature Center has put people in touch with the sights, sounds, and sensations of the wild within our capital for 25 years. North Branch Nature Center has become an integral part of outdoor recreation and learning in central Vermont, serving 10,000 visitors annually. Our 28-acre preserve of forest and fields is nestled in a gentle bend of the North Branch of the Winooski River, just two miles from downtown Montpelier. North Branch is firefly light sparkling in a child’s eye. It is a lecture hall where we learn the secrets of warblers and willows and weather. And it is a quiet place to walk or ski, swim or sit, or simply do nothing beside the river.

North Branch River Park and the North Branch Nature Center (NBNC) offer a great variety of outdoor recreation.

For a mellow, flat walk with lots of varied habitat for bird watching check out the NBNC trails and cross the footbridge into the North Branch River Park.

For some thrilling mountain biking, head up the hill to the top of “Roll Call.” From there you can have your choice of flowy descent trails. For a longer adventure, head North on the Sparrow Farm Trail and connect to the East Montpelier Trail system, or head South into Hubbard Park. East Montpelier Trails are shared with walkers. Cyclists, please ride with caution.

The TrailFinder website has a description and map of a hike at North Branch Nature Center.