Due to Staff Shortages the Welcome Center will now be Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays
August 30, 2021
Trail Network Remains Open
As the seasons begin to shift, Kingdom Trails will be shifting our Welcome Center hours of operation.
KT employs 23 seasonal staff. We are so proud that many of them are local youth attending our area high schools and Northern Vermont University. We wish them a successful school year and are grateful to them for being part of the team! As they head back to school KT will be losing several of our core staff members. KT will continue to hire, however we, like much of the country, are experiencing staff shortages.
In order to continue our commitment to our community and sustainably manage our trail users we will be closing our in-person operations at the Welcome Center on Tuesdays and Wednesday beginning August 31st in order to be properly staffed for the busier weekend days and abutting week days. In addition, our Welcome Center will change our hours or operation to 8am - 4pm.
This does not mean the trails are closed. KT is still able to serve through our online resources. Folks can access all information about the trails on the website
and purchase memberships
and KT swag online. Please remember that all membership and retail purchases directly go back to supporting trail building and maintenance. Simply visit our website or snag the QR code from signs placed in front of the Welcome Center or throughout the network. Plus you can grab a paper map outside the Welcome Center.
And of course when we are open please remember to Ride with Gratitude. This mantra extends not only to our trails and our private landowners, but also as you walk into area businesses or meet community members throughout town. Thank you for being respectful to those that provide this gift.
If you are interested in joining our amazing team and supporting our community, check out our employment opportunities here and apply! https://www.kingdomtrails.org/employment
Thank you all for your understanding and flexibility! We are so grateful!
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
