Taconic Ramble State Park 321 Saint John Road, Castleton, VT 05735

"I drove from Boston, which was quite a drive. I had high hopes for this stop. I was sorely disappointed. There are plenty of trails to walk. The open fields are inviting. The let down concerning a "Japanese garden" was immediate. It's scarcely that at all. I do see effort to create a fun experience & for kids, sure it's great. For me, who went hoping to have a great photo opportunity, it was not at all what I had imagined for it being on a top 10 things to do in Vermont in the spring. If you go for hiking, you should be pleased. The road leading to the parking area seems more like it would take you to the home that's just after the turn. Follow the dirt road beyond the home to find parking about 1/4 mile further up. If you want to tire small kids, bring them along for the small arched bridges and open fields. There is a less than 10 minute walk to get to the "Japanese garden" which is predominantly a zig zag downhil walk. Keep that in mind when coming with children. They may plead to be carried back. (Which 1 young girl did as I was approaching them.)"

"Trust the location Google Maps brings you to. I felt like it just cut off at a random street until I saw the red painted, "state park" sign with an arrow pointing towards the park. The views were absolutely stunning. I recommend walking through the meadows to get to the zen garden. All one could hear was the busy buzzing of bumblebees flying against the wind. The entrance contains ample parking and a few picnic tables. I visited on a Sunday at 10:00 AM and encountered only 2 other people for the entirety of the visit."

"Absolutely gorgeous! the drive in is a bit rough, I met up with a bus going opposite way, had to back for a while so we could pass. But, soooo worth it. the hiking, the views, so peaceful and there's no charge to get in"

"This park offered a variety of views, including a waterfall! Just go past the “Japanese garden” and keep left through the meadow. You’ll go through a woodsy area before hitting it. It’s gorgeous!"

"The Zen Gardens at Taconic Ramble State Park are very nice area to visit and hike in the surrounding trails. The owner who sadly passed away did an excellent job in creating a functioning Japanese zen garden in Vermont. The surrounding trails provide great views of the area, and it is located in a very scenic area of Vermont."