September 10, 2025 – Bennington, Vermont

Difficulty: Easy

Length: Approximately 1.2 miles

Max elevation: 1,100 ft.– total elevation gain approximately 200 ft.

Route type: Lollipop-Loop

Map: Bennington Area Trail System – BATS

Trailhead parking: Mountaineer Athletic Center – Mansion Dr, Bennington, VT 05201

Ample parking available at Mountaineer Athletic Center.

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Overview:

Tucked away in the scenic beauty of Bennington, Vermont, Everett Cave offers a captivating blend of natural wonder and outdoor exploration. Known for its striking rock formations, multiple chambers, and the tranquil sound of dripping water, the cave provides a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

One of its most praised features is its accessibility, with the cave reachable via a short hike. It’s ideal for casual hikers looking for adventure without extensive preparation. Though the trail includes a short steep section, the effort is well rewarded once you’re at the cave.

It is recommended to wear sturdy footwear and bring a strong flashlight or lantern, as the cave’s interior is pitch black. If you dare to venture inside, you might spot bats and get an up-close look at fascinating geological features.

Often described as a hidden gem of Southern Vermont, Everett Cave is a rewarding destination for anyone looking to connect with nature and enjoy a unique outdoor experience.

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History:

Everett Cave is a natural limestone cave formed through a solutional process, where water dissolves the surrounding rock. It is located on the former Southern Vermont College campus in Bennington, Vermont. Known for its striking underground formations, the cave is accessible via the Bennington Area Trail System (BATS). Although detailed historical records are limited, the cave’s origins trace back millions of years to ancient seabeds. Over time, it became a popular landmark along the college’s trail network.

The property was originally the estate of Edward Hamlin Everett, known as The Orchards, who purchased 500 acres from the John Holden estate in 1910. In 1926, it was acquired by the St. Joseph Business School, which became St. Joseph College in 1962 and then Southern Vermont College (SVC) in 1974. SVC closed at the end of the academic year in May 2019. Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) purchased the 371-acre former SVC campus in late December 2020.

Mount Anthony, standing at 2,346 feet, overlooks the Bennington Monument and serves as a scenic backdrop to the Town of Bennington.

According to unverified reports, Everett Cave is one of five caves on the mountain and it’s not the largest. The cave features a short entrance passage leading to a main chamber, a small side room, and a climb to three smaller rooms—two of which are typically filled with water for much of the year.

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Trails Overview:

The Bennington Area Trail System (BATS) is a network of multi-use trails on the wooded slopes of Mount Anthony, just south of downtown Bennington, Vermont. Winding through the Green Mountains, the trails offer diverse terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Highlights include scenic views, open meadows, forested switchbacks, and connections to other BATS trails across Mount Anthony, along with access to natural and historic landmarks.

The network of trails through the meadows consists of mowed paths without navigation markings. These paths are maintained by SVHC. In the woods however, trails are marked with colored blazes and signposts at junctions, and are maintained by BATS.

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Parking:

The parking area at the Mountaineer Athletic Center/Fieldhouse serves as a trailhead for the BATS trails, including the Cave Trail leading to Everett Cave. The Mansion Drive lot (next to the Fieldhouse) is currently one of the permitted public access points and offers the shortest route to Everett Cave.

The parking lot is large, so finding a parking space shouldn’t be a problem.

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Hike Overview:

I was traveling to the Bennington area for some sightseeing and came across an easily accessible, fascinating cave that I wanted to check out. To avoid aimlessly wandering through the woods like I have on past explorations, I did some research to find its exact location. I do the legwork so you don’t have to.

There’s a lot of outdated information about the trails and parking since SVC closed and new owners took over. However, the trails are still accessible, and parking is available at the Mountaineer Athletic Center/Fieldhouse on Mansion Drive.

This is a beautiful hike, with the cave being the highlight. However, the viewpoint we visited was also quite impressive. Overall, it’s an easy trail, with the only steep section being the approach to the cave. With a network of trails crisscrossing the fields in all directions, I used Gaia GPS to help navigate.

This is a short hike that can be extended using the BATS trail network. The goal of this trail report is to guide you to the cave—and as a bonus, to a great viewpoint. With more time, I would have explored additional trails.

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The Hike:

Head to the right side of the Mountaineer Athletic Center/Fieldhouse and walk around to the back of the building. Look for the “Fieldhouse Trail” and follow the mowed path west toward the tree line.

A fine view from the parking lot.

Once you enter the woods, you’ll reach a T-intersection with a yellow-blazed trail—this is the Cave Trail. Turn right (north) and follow the narrow footpath a short distance to a fork.

Although the yellow-blazed trail continues straight, take the left fork and follow the trail as it climbs steeply uphill via switchbacks.

The trail ends a short distance ahead, near the entrance to Everett Cave. If you plan to enter the cave, use extreme caution. I only went in briefly before hearing unsettling noises from inside.

You have to bend down—and, depending on your height, you may even need to crawl—through a short entrance passage to reach the main room. At that point, I heard strange noises coming from inside the cave, so I decided not to go any farther.

When you are ready to continue, retrace your steps back to the Cave Trail and turn right (south). Walk past the junction with the Fieldhouse Trail. 

At the four-way intersection, continue straight on the yellow-blazed trail.

Most of these trails were originally built as logging roads to help the Everett family collect and transport fuel for their wood-burning furnaces.

A short distance ahead, a trail to the left leads to a small pond and the Valley of Vermont Overlook, offering views to the north, east, and southeast. Take a moment to enjoy the view.

When you are ready to continue, proceed ahead on the mowed path which heads northeast across the field. You can see the red roof of the Fieldhouse down below.

We took the right fork, but both paths lead back to the parking lot. Neither of these two mowed paths appear on the current trail map.

Soon, you’ll reach a T-intersection with the Hayfield Trail. Turn right and follow the trail downhill, back to the parking lot, where the hike began.

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Review:

A short, but sweet hike with fabulous views and of course a cave. I would have liked to explore the cave a bit more, but after hearing some noises coming from inside, I wasn’t going to stick my head in there.

Pros:

Everett Cave, gorgeous views, scenic landscape.

Cons:

None.

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Take a hike!

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