Sheffield is a small town near outdoor hotspots
Sheffield is a rural Caledonia County town of about 700 residents. Locals like the scenic seclusion the community provides. There’s not a single stoplight in town, most of the roads are unpaved and while U.S. Interstate 91, a primary New England roadway, runs through, there’s not an exit within Sheffield. But what the area lacks in development makes up for in access to outdoor destinations. “It’s small-town living,” says Patricia Emery, owner/broker with Parkway Realty, who has sold homes throughout the Northeast Kingdom since the 1970s. “There are some people who have second homes in the area, but also those who want a slower pace of life and a close proximity to Burke Mountain and the Kingdom Trails.”
Near Northeast Kingdom recreation destinations
Holbrook State Park spans 300 acres in the northwestern part of Sheffield. Trails begin on the shores of one of the park’s ponds, leading through the woods. Visitors can fish on the water or go hunting away from the trails. “It’s an outdoorsy community,” Emery says. “That area is situated near some of the state’s premier outdoor destinations.” While the over 100-mile Kingdom Trails, a series of bike paths attracting cyclists from across the country, go through nearby towns, the Northeast Kingdom Wheelers ATV Club offers nearly 75 miles of trails through Sheffield. Skiing and snowshoeing are also popular in the area. Burke Mountain, with a resort offering over 50 trails, is a go-to spot for both activities. Burke Mountain Academy, an elite ski school that’s trained over 30 Olympians, is also on the mountain.
Homes along dirt roads
Most homes in Sheffield sit along dirt roads, with brush and mature maple and pine trees surrounding them. The mountains rise and fall in the distance, with leaves changing colors in the fall and a vibrant shade of green in the spring and summer. Small cottages and Colonial Revivals with gable-front roofs are common, with prices ranging from about $130,000 to $460,000 for single-family homes. Land is also available, costing between $40,000 and $130,000, depending on the size of the plot.
School choice through Vermont Town Tuitioning Program
Sheffield is served by the Kingdom East School District, which receives a D grade from Niche. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 23-to-1 and educates about 2,000 students. However, students have options. Through the Vermont Town Tuitioning Program, students may apply to any school, public or private, in or out of state, that is approved by the Vermont Board of Education or an equal state authority.
Shopping and dining in nearby towns
Sheffield is so remote, there’s not a single shop or restaurant in town. But nearby towns offer everyday amenities a short drive away. Just outside of the town, in Glover, residents can grab breakfast or lunch from Busy Bee Diner, which serves American favorites, from pancakes to burgers. About 8 miles southeast, in Lyndon, locals will find more dining options as well as small markets that serve prepared foods and select grocery items. The closest grocery store is about 14 miles southeast in St. Johnsbury, where there’s also a hospital, big-box stores and restaurants, from casual spots to more upscale sit-down spots.
Driving backroads in Sheffield
Because it’s so rural, Sheffield is car-dependent. U.S. Interstate 91 cuts north-south through the center of the community and runs north-south throughout New England. Backroads are the main means of travel from one town to the next. For air travel, Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is about 91 miles west.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
