Network Capacity Study Recommendations are In
February 8, 2021
We need your input!
The study document is a virtual “storymap” available at www.kingdomtrails.org/networkcapacity
and a video of the study’s presentation to the Burke selectboard is also available at that site. At this time, members of the public are invited to review the study recommendations and identify key priorities for Kingdom Trails in an online survey. The survey will remain open through the end of February 2021.
The capacity analysis determined that the trail system has sufficient capacity, but there are imbalances, pinch points, and opportunities to better disperse use. For example, there are many miles of trails on the southern end of Darling Hill, with very limited immediate parking and Burke Mountain offers hundreds of available parking spaces that have been underutilized. There is also a shortage of parking in the village, given the level of use in that area.
The study recommended locating the new welcome center in East Burke village, on the KTA-owned property where the balance bike pump track is currently located. This location was selected due to its connectivity to the trail system, existing KTA-ownership, topography, proximity to village businesses, and the importance of the welcome center remaining in East Burke. This new welcome center could offer guest services and office space, programming and events space, ample parking, a picnic area and river access, and other amenities. This new welcome center could act as a portal and tourist information center for both the trail system and the Northeast Kingdom more broadly. Additionally, a crosswalk was recommended in the village across Highway 114 in a location that would not result in the removal of on-street parking.
The study also offered potential designs for enhanced road-trail crossings, a new village trailhead, and mobile welcome center units. The mobile welcome centers would be “food truck-style” trucks or vans located in satellite parking lots that offer the indoor/outdoor service typically found at the Welcome Center, along with ambassador presence, membership, merchandise, and map information. The study also recommends better messaging around parking, alerting visitors to available parking spaces and satellite lots via additional website information, signage, and an integrated phone app.
A key community priority that emerged was dispersing users and spreading the economic impact of the trail system. There are several opportunities to do so in the Town of Lyndon. The land surrounding the new Kingdom Campground and the Lyndon Outing Club could be developed with 10 to 15-mile trail networks, and Northern Vermont University would be an excellent partner for future events and programs, given their campus and educational opportunities.
BACKGROUND
Kingdom Trails is a world-class trail system deeply intertwined with the local community. Local community members have banded together to develop the 100+ mile trail system and 100 private landowners allow trails to pass through their property. The user experience extends well beyond the trail network itself to the community fabric and tourism infrastructure that surround it. Users drive and ride along local roads, visit lodging and restaurants, and can overflow the village parking areas.
Over the past few years Kingdom Trails has become one of the most popular mountain bike destinations in the United States, with over 100,000 visits per year and visitation is growing sharply annually. With this growth, the community has experienced increasing impacts – both positive and negative – from the increasing number of users of the trail system. The trail system generates tremendous economic impact for the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and is a fantastic recreation resource for the community. However, the existing level of use places pressure on the community, its infrastructure, and the landowners.
In early 2019, KTA, in conjunction with the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce, applied for and received a USDA Rural Business Development Grant to help fund a Kingdom Trails Network Capacity Study to help provide an understanding of the capacity of the trail network and associated community infrastructure and contemplate strategies to address the growing number of users and address capacity imbalances in the system with an eye towards improving quality of life in the region.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions by email to info@kingdomtrails.org
or during business hours at (802) 626-0737.
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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