Plan Your Journey to The Mountain School

Located in Vershire, Vermont, in the heart of the Upper Valley. Here's everything you need to know about finding us, contacting us, and preparing for your arrival.

 

Where We Are

The Mountain School of Milton Academy
151 Mountain School Road
Vershire, Vermont 05079

Upper Valley Region (Vermont/New Hampshire border region)

Thetford, VT

15 min

Hanover, NH

40 min

White River Junction, VT

45 min

Driving Distances

Boston, MA

190 mi via I-89

3 hrs

New York City

280 mi via I-91/I-89

5 hrs

Hartford, CT

210 mi via I-91/I-89

4 hrs

Burlington, VT

75 mi via I-89

1.5 hrs

Montreal, QC

220 mi via I-89

5 hrs

Portland, ME

170 mi via I-95/I-89

3.5 hrs

Hanover, NH / Dartmouth

25 mi

40 min
Driving Directions

How to Get Here

From Interstate 89

Most Common Route
1

Take Exit 14 from I-89 (Thetford/Norwich exit)

2

Turn onto VT Route 113 North toward Thetford

3

After approximately 7 miles, turn left onto Campbell Flat Road

4

Follow Campbell Flat Road for 1.5 miles

5

Turn right onto Mountain School Road (dirt road)

6

Follow Mountain School Road for 1.2 miles to campus

7

Look for The Mountain School sign at entrance

Alternative Route from Route 5: Slightly longer but available in poor weather. Contact us for detailed directions.

Important Notes

Dirt road: The last 1.2 miles is on a dirt road — this is normal and expected

GPS: Directions work reliably — trust your navigation

No cell service: Signal drops ~15 min before arrival. Download offline maps before you leave paved roads

Winter: Dirt roads are plowed but can be slippery. AWD helpful but not required

Mud season (spring): Roads can be rough but passable with normal vehicles

Print directions: We recommend having a physical backup just in case

Flying to Vermont

Nearest Airports

LEB

Lebanon Municipal Airport

30 min

Small regional airport with limited service. Car rental available on-site.

BTV

Burlington International Airport

1.5 hrs

Larger airport with more flight options. Major rental car companies. Direct East Coast flights.

BOS

Boston Logan International Airport

3 hrs

Largest nearby airport with most flight options. Groups often arrange bus from Boston.

MHT

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

2.5 hrs

Mid-size airport with good flight options and car rentals available.

Rental Car Recommendation: We recommend standard sedans or SUVs. AWD or 4WD is helpful in winter but not required. Dirt roads are maintained but higher-clearance vehicles handle them more comfortably.

Public Transportation

Bus, Train, & Other Options

Amtrak

Nearest station: White River Junction, VT (45 min from campus). Vermonter line runs DC to St. Albans daily. Arrange taxi or rental from station.

Bus Service

White River Junction and Hanover have bus service from major cities. Arrange taxi or rental car from there to campus.

Chartered Bus

School groups often charter buses directly to campus. Our parking accommodates large buses. Contact us for bus driver directions.

Taxi / Rideshare

Limited in this rural area. Uber/Lyft sporadic. Local taxi companies available for airport/station pickup. We provide recommendations.

Lay of the land

Campus Layout

Packing for your visit

What to Bring

We Provide

  • All linens (sheets, blankets, pillows)
  • Bath towels and washcloths
  • Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo)
  • Three meals per day
  • Coffee, tea, and snacks

Bring With You

CLOTHING

  • Layers (VT weather is variable)
  • Comfortable hiking shoes
  • Rain jacket
  • Winter: warm coat, hat, gloves, boots
  • Casual indoor clothing

PERSONAL ITEMS

  • Prescription medications
  • Preferred toiletries
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Phone charger

FOR GROUPS

  • Laptop for presentations
  • Specialized program materials
  • Decorations (if desired)
  • Musical instruments welcome

Do NOT Bring

  • Pets (not allowed on campus)
  • Outside firewood (we provide all)
  • Kitchen equipment (kitchen off-limits)

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Binoculars for bird watching
  • Journal or notebook
  • Camera
  • Books for downtime
  • Board games or cards

We Provide

  • All linens (sheets, blankets, pillows)
  • Bath towels and washcloths
  • Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo)
  • Three meals per day
  • Coffee, tea, and snacks

Bring With You

CLOTHING

  • Layers (VT weather is variable)
  • Comfortable hiking shoes
  • Rain jacket
  • Winter: warm coat, hat, gloves, boots
  • Casual indoor clothing

PERSONAL ITEMS

  • Prescription medications
  • Preferred toiletries
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Phone charger

FOR GROUPS

  • Laptop for presentations
  • Specialized program materials
  • Decorations (if desired)
  • Musical instruments welcome

Do NOT Bring

  • Pets (not allowed on campus)
  • Outside firewood (we provide all)
  • Kitchen equipment (kitchen off-limits)

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Binoculars for bird watching
  • Journal or notebook
  • Camera
  • Books for downtime
  • Board games or cards
Preparing for the digital detox

Life With (Almost) No Cell Service

Before You Arrive

  • Download offline maps (Google/Apple Maps)
  • Print physical directions if desired
  • Inform family/friends you'll be offline
  • Download reading, music, or podcasts
  • Set up WiFi calling on your phone
  • Note our number: (802) 685-4520

What Works on WiFi

  • WiFi calling (main buildings only)
  • iMessage, WhatsApp on WiFi
  • Email and internet browsing
  • Video conferencing
  • Streaming (enjoy the disconnection!)

What Doesn't Work

  • ×Regular phone calls (without WiFi)
  • ×Regular SMS text messages
  • ×Apps requiring cell connection
  • ×Navigation while driving

"Most groups find the digital disconnection becomes their favorite aspect of the experience. Lean into it."

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

  • Select weeks and weekends in June, July, August, and January when our semester program is not in session.

    Specific availability varies by year. Contact us as early as possible to check dates.

  • Yes. We strongly encourage site visits. Contact our rental coordinator to schedule a tour. Virtual tours are available if you can't visit in person.

  • Most rentals begin with arrival between 2:00-4:00 PM. Your rental agreement will specify exact check-in time. Early arrival can sometimes be arranged (may involve additional cost).

  • Typical checkout is 1:00-2:00 PM on departure day. Your agreement will specify the exact time. Late departure can sometimes be arranged.

  • Cell service will drop about 15 minutes before campus, so call us before you lose signal if you have concerns. GPS directions work reliably. If you get lost on dirt roads, look for The Mountain School signs at key turns.

  • Correct. There is limited cellular coverage on campus. WiFi is available in the main buildings for internet-based communication.

  • Summer (June-August):

    • Days: 70-85°F typically

    • Nights: 50-65°F

    • Occasional heat waves above 90°F

    • Afternoon thunderstorms common

    • No air conditioning (Vermont nights cool down)

    Winter (January): Days: 15-30°F

    • Nights: 0-15°F

    • Occasional extreme cold below zero

    • Snow cover typical

    • All buildings heated

  • We maintain first aid supplies and have staff trained in wilderness first aid. The nearest hospital is Gifford Medical Center in Randolph (45 minutes). For emergencies, call 911—they know our location.

  • Main buildings (library, dining hall, classrooms) are wheelchair accessible with ADA bathroom. Dormitories are not fully accessible (stairs, narrow hallways in historic buildings). Contact us to discuss specific needs.

  • Sometimes possible depending on the campus schedule. Additional fees apply for early access. Discuss with the rental coordinator.

  • See our cancellation policy on the Pricing page.

    We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance.

  • Yes. Our kitchen team accommodates most dietary restrictions, food allergies, and religious requirements with advance notice.

    We need a complete list 30 days before arrival.

  • Yes, with proper insurance. Beer, wine, and champagne are BYOB. Hard liquor requires a licensed bartender.

    See Pricing page for details.

  • No. Our livestock requires a pet-free campus.

  • Please check with us for current health and safety protocols. We follow Vermont Department of Health guidelines and adjust policies as needed.

  • No. Our commercial kitchen operates under health regulations that require only our staff to work in kitchen spaces.

  • Adequate for video conferencing, streaming, and standard internet use. Not ultra-high-speed, but functional. Bandwidth is shared across campus—if 40 people are all streaming simultaneously, quality may degrade.

  • No. Parking is free and ample.

  • Yes, but coordinate with us in advance. Our mailing address works for USPS, UPS, and FedEx deliveries.

  • We do not offer refunds for weather-related cancellations, as most activities can be moved indoors.

    In extreme emergencies (state of emergency, impassable roads), we'll work with you to reschedule or offer partial refunds.

  • We have backup generators for essential systems. Extended power outages are rare but possible in rural Vermont. We have protocols for managing during outages.

  • We can accommodate last-minute bookings if we have availability, but we prefer at least 30 days notice to properly plan food, staffing, and logistics.

  • Contact our rental coordinator by phone or email.

    We'll check availability, discuss your needs, and start the booking process.
    See contact information below.

Related Links

Learn More About the Mountain School

About our Semester Program

mountainschool.org/about

Milton Academy (Parent School)

milton.edu

Vermont Tourism

vermontvacation.com

Start Planning Your Visit

Whether you're bringing a school group for environmental education, gathering your leadership team for strategic planning, or hosting a family reunion on a Vermont farm, The Mountain School provides the setting, support, and authentic experience that makes gatherings memorable.

Ready to Plan Your Stay?

Explore pricing, accommodations, and availability for educational groups, corporate retreats, and family gatherings at the Mountain School.

Contact

rentals@mountainschool.org

(802) 685-4520

151 Mountain School Road
Vershire, Vermont 05079

Typical response time: within 1-2 business days