Big Branch Wilderness
Big Branch Wilderness is a 6,725-acre wilderness area in Rutland County, Vermont. It rises from about 950 to 3,060 ft. The nearest town is Danby, 1.1 miles away in a straight line.
Big Branch Wilderness map
Big Branch Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Danby, VT is the nearest town, 1.1 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Big Branch Wilderness is about 3,060 ft, and its lowest about 950 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Mount Tabor, about 3,060 ft.
Who manages Big Branch Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 6,725 | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | Manchester Ranger District, 802-362-2307 |
Getting to Big Branch Wilderness
- Danby, VT is the nearest town, 1.1 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Big Branch Wilderness
- Griffith Lake Trailhead (0.01 mi outside the boundary, 2,823 ft), at 43.2788, -72.9604
- Big Branch Trailhead And AT/LT Crossing (0.08 mi outside the boundary, 1,513 ft), at 43.3728, -72.9629
- Fr 30 Old Job Trailhead (0.3 mi outside the boundary, 1,858 ft), at 43.3431, -72.9278
- Lake Trail Trailhead (0.31 mi outside the boundary, 708 ft), at 43.3125, -72.9873
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Big Branch Wilderness
- Mount Tabor summit
- Baker Peak summit
- Buckball Peak summit
- Lost Pond lake
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-30. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Public lands next to Big Branch Wilderness
- National forestBig Branch Wilderness lies inside Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.
- Wilderness areaPeru Peak Wilderness is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkEmerald Lake State Park is 0.8 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Vermont
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- apps.fs.usda.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)