CLARENDON LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

The Mill River, as it passes through Clarendon Gorge

Clarendon - The Vermont River Conservancy, working with the State Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, will acquire 18 acres along the Mill River in Clarendon at the Lower Clarendon Gorge to secure public use of a popular swimming hole. The property is located south of the intersection of Gorge Road and Route 7B in Clarendon and includes approximately 1300’ of frontage on the south side of Gorge Road, with striking stone walls, waterfalls, pools and cobbled beaches on both sides of the river. A well-worn trail leads through the property to the river. A previous VHCB grant was used to conserve the Upper Clarendon Gorge in Shrewsbury, three miles upstream. The Lower Gorge features exposed layers of dolomites and quartz, providing an educational resource for the study of geology and natural history, along with opportunities for swimming and fishing. An adjacent property that provides parking and access to the Gorge is owned by the Agency of Transportation and will be transferred to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. A local organization, the Lower Clarendon Gorge Park Association, will help to raise funds from foundation grants and private donations to complement a VHCB grant