Mount Mansfield State Forest, State forest in Chittenden County, Vermont.

Mount Mansfield State Forest is a large protected forest area in Vermont containing the state's tallest mountain and several state parks within its boundaries. The forest features extensive networks of trails and natural habitats across multiple towns, offering access to varied terrain and outdoor activities throughout the year.

The forest area developed significantly during the 20th century through conservation efforts, including the creation of Waterbury Reservoir in the 1930s. This major infrastructure project was designed to manage flooding and generate electricity for the surrounding communities.

The name comes from Mount Mansfield, the 4,393-foot summit the forest surrounds; the 400-acre summit ridge itself belongs to the University of Vermont, not the state. Smugglers' Notch Proper within the forest is a National Natural Landmark, and Vermont Route 108 between Stowe Mountain Resort and Smugglers' Notch Resort is a federally designated Scenic Byway.

The forest is accessible year-round with different activities suited to each season, including hiking in warmer months and skiing during winter. Multiple trailheads and boat launch areas provide convenient starting points for exploring the forest at various difficulty levels.

The forest contains Vermont's only alpine tundra habitat located on the mountain's summit ridge, creating an arctic-like landscape in the heart of New England. This rare vegetation type persists from the last ice age and offers visitors a glimpse of ecosystems normally found much further north.