Barnes Camp occupies a special place in Long Trail history. The trail through Smugglers’ Notch was the first section to feature the now‑iconic white blaze, and W. M. Barnes quickly recognized the opportunity presented by his lumber camp’s location near the trailhead. By offering meals and lodging to hikers, he transformed a working camp into one of the earliest hiker‑friendly outposts on the Long Trail.
The first edition of the Long Trail Guide Book (1917) listed Barnes Camp as a place to find “good accommodations, food, and lodging,” making it one of the earliest commercial establishments to support Long Trail travelers.
Fire, Rebuilding, and a New Identity
In 1927, the original Barnes Camp was destroyed by fire. It was soon rebuilt as an inn and renamed the Barnes Camp Inn, continuing to serve hikers during the summer months.
Ownership changed in 1930, and the new proprietor, Mrs. H. C. Taylor, expanded the inn’s role. By 1933, she extended its operating season to welcome skiers and snowshoers, reflecting the growing popularity of winter recreation in Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch.
Later Uses and Preservation
Over the decades, Barnes Camp evolved with the region. It eventually became a gift shop and later a storage facility, but the building’s historic character remained recognizable.
A major restoration in 2015 preserved key architectural features, including its distinctive live‑edge siding and large fieldstone fireplace.
Today, Barnes Camp serves as a visitor center and rental facility, staffed entirely by volunteers and managed cooperatively by several organizations, including the Green Mountain Club. It stands not only as a functional resource for visitors but also as a preserved piece of Long Trail and Smugglers’ Notch history.
Sources
- Long Trail Guide Book. 1st Edition ed. Green Mountain Club, 1917.
- “Long Trail News.” 1930.
- “Long Trail News.” 1933.
- Long Trail Guide Book. 15th Edition ed. Green Mountain Club, 1956.
