KTA COVID-19 Response Statement
April 3, 2020
To our Landowners, Community, and Trail Enthusiasts,
The Kingdom Trails Team hopes you and your loved ones are staying safe during these uncertain times.
As you know our trails are currently closed due to mud season conditions. There is still snow out there, yet it is melting fast. We are always closed during this in between time to protect the natural resources and future conditions of the trails. We are grateful to all for respecting the land and this closure.
The Kingdom Trail Association has also decided to remain closed, until further notice, due to these unprecedented times we are all experiencing. Together with the Vermont Trails & Greenway Council, Vermont Trails Alliance, and Vermont Dept. of Forest, Parks & Recreation, Kingdom Trails and other trail networks around the state have evaluated the current status of our recreational trail systems in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Scott’s Executive Order to ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe.”
The primary directive from the Governor is to protect the public health and safety of Vermonters. We are in the middle of a health emergency, and to avoid the spread of COVID-19 we must stay at home as much as possible.
The Governor has deemed the Outdoor Recreation sector as non-essential, even naming Mountain Bike establishments. Trail work and maintenance are not considered critical activities pursuant to the Governor’s Order and are therefore prohibited. If certain trails cannot appropriately be prepared for safe public use and properly maintained for environmental quality, we believe they should not be used for recreation. Doing otherwise creates risks to trail users and natural resources and our shared long-term goals for getting back out there on our epic trails.
As many of you know our trail network is made possible by 97 private landowners. We respect and depend on the generosity of these landowners and the communities that host us. We do not want to encourage an excess of trail users on their lands and in our communities during this emergency.
Trail use can also create unnecessary risk of injury at a time when our sole focus should be on supporting Vermont's efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis with all available medical resources and not diverting them to emergency response actions. We do not wish to place our volunteer Burke Fire Brigades or Lyndon Rescue first responders in harm’s way, nor take essential equipment and time away from our medical professionals at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, NVRH, for what could have been an avoidable injury.
Please know Kingdom Trails truly believes exercise is crucial during this trying time. VT Dept. of Forest, Parks, and Recreation has suggested to stay local, within 10 miles, and that State Park roads, State Forest roads and other durable, wider trails on state lands may be appropriate for exercise during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. Check FPRs website
for more information about recreation opportunities. We do encourage you to get outside, exercise, and follow the FPR's department guidance, informed by the CDC and VDH, on how to do this safely and responsibly.
Kingdom Trails will continue to evaluate when it is appropriate to prepare and open our trails for the 2020 season. This decision will be made with guidance from the state of Vermont and other Vermont trail networks such as The Long Trail, VAST, VMBA networks, VASA, Vermont Huts, and The Catamount Trail, and in conjunction with the Governor’s Orders. These decisions will be made based on the health and safety needs of our landowners, community, and trail users.
Even though we are currently closed Kingdom Trails is grateful to still be able to offer support to our local community. Last week we donated $25,000 to the COVID-19 relief
efforts to local organizations directly serving our community members during this unprecedented time of need. We encourage our trail users to join us in saying thank you to our landowners and our local communities by making individual donations to these organizations. Even members of the Board of Directors and Staff have committed to contributing individually along with KTA. Join us in Giving Together to greaten the impact.
Kingdom Trails is truly appreciative for your understanding and patience.
Please stay happy and healthy!
Abby Long
Executive Director
Kingdom Trail Association
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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