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A Secret Vermont Treasure: Groton State Forest

Like many of Vermont’s most wild places, Groton State Forest is off the beaten path, nestled between the Green Mountains to the west and the hills of the Connecticut River Valley to the east.

It’s one of Vermont’s largest publicly owned areas, encompassing almost 30,000 acres, and seven unique state parks.

Scenes from Groton State Forest in Vermont

Groton State Forest and the Vermont State Parks within it, provide plenty of variety for adventurers, who come here to hike, bike, paddle, fish, camp, and relax.

Our family tries to visit Groton State Forest as often as we can.

We love that it is one of Vermont’s most remote wilderness areas, and we enjoy exploring the hiking trails, ponds, and campgrounds throughout this massive natural area.

We’ve explored many of Groton’s trails, lakes, and ponds, but there’s so much more that we’ve yet to see!

Quick Facts: Groton State Forest

Activities: swimming, hiking, paddle sports, camping
Open: Starting Memorial Day Weekend. Closing dates vary by park
Fees: $5 adults, $2 kids
Dogs: on-leash, but not on the sandy beach
Camping: Stillwater State Park, Big Deer State Park, Ricker Pond State Park, and remote camping at Kettle Pond State Park

My most recent home base within Groton State Forest was Ricker Pond State Park,  which was recommended by one of the Vermont State Park rangers as being on the quiet side (we’re always looking for quiet).  

I slept in a lean-to near the shores of Ricker Pond, but each day I set out to explore the rest of the lakes, ponds, mountains, bogs, and woods that make this place so special.

Here are my favorite adventures (so far) in Groton State Forest.

Hiking through Peacham Bog

A sign leading to Peacham Bog in Groton State Forest, Vermont.
The boardwalk through Peacham Bog in Groton State Forest.

Located in the very heart of Groton State Forest, Peacham Bog is one of the largest and most beautiful bogs in all of Vermont.

Peacham Bog Natural Area encompasses 728 acres, but the bog itself is about 200 acres. It’s considered a dome bog, which means that it rises slightly above the local topography.

I recently hiked the 4.5-mile Peacham Bog Loop Trail, which took about 3 hours with a stop for lunch.

I didn’t see anyone else on the hike, but I did discover an abundance of songbirds (various warblers), millions of dragonflies, and the carnivorous pitcher plant, which was in flower and so beautiful.

A pitcher plant in bloom in Groton State Forest, Vermont.
The pitcher plant flower in bloom

The Peacham Bog Loop Trail begins at the nature center on Boulder Beach Road.

Pay careful attention to your map and the signage as you’re hiking, because there are a lot of connecting trails. I took a wrong turn at one point, and could only backtrack to find where I went wrong. Lesson learned.

Peacham Bog is a great place for a picnic — follow the boardwalk to the lonely bench. This marks the halfway point if you’re following the Peacham Bog loop.

A path through Peacham Bog in Groton State Forest, Vermont.
The boardwalk through Peacham Bog in Groton State Forest

Early Morning Paddling in Ricker Pond State Park

I was lucky enough to score a lean-to (Aster) right next to the canoe launch on Ricker Pond, so I took full advantage and woke up early to paddle into the sunrise.

There were at least 5 loons paddling with me through the fog, and they seemed to enjoy playing hide and seek with me as I paddled along.

Ricker Pond’s small size allowed me to paddle along the whole shoreline as the sun was rising and still be back to the lean-to in time for a cup of coffee.

Ricker Pond State Park has a lovely, small campground, and just about every site is either on the water or set above it with an awesome view of the pond.

Early morning on Ricker Pond in Groton State Forest, Vermont.
Foggy sunrise at Ricker Pond State Park in Groton State Forest.

Afternoon Swimming at Boulder Beach State Park

 Boulder Beach State Park is the place to be for family swimming, picnicking, and frolicking.

There’s a fabulous sandy beach, and the water is clear and weed-free. It was high summer when I last visited, and really hot, at least for Vermont.

There were a lot of people at the beach — cooling off in the water or relaxing on the shore, but not so many that it felt crowded. I treated myself to ice cream at the snack bar and floated the rest of the day away.

Swimmers cooling off at Boulder Beach State Park in Vermont.
Swimmers cooling off at Boulder Beach State Park

Watch the Sunset from Owl’s Head 

I asked a local friend where I should hike to catch the sunset, and she didn’t even hesitate for a minute before suggesting Owl’s Head.

The trailhead to Owl’s Head is in New Discovery State Park, and it has quickly become one of our favorite hiking trails in Vermont.

It’s a moderately steep hike and just 1.5 miles, so you can easily hike up for the sunset and be back in your car before dark. The Owl’s Head trail is a great hike for families with kids, and the views are fantastic!

Sunset view from the top of Owl's Head in Groton State Forest, Vermont.
Sunset over Kettle Pond from the top of Owl’s Head

A Hike and a Swim at Kettle Pond State Park

Kettle Pond State Park is probably the quietest park in Groton State Forest. There are a few primitive campsites that you can hike or paddle to, a trail around the lake, and a canoe portage.

The trail is strewn with boulders and the sparkling water of the pond is always visible through the trees. It’s a lovely trail for listening to the loons or discovering an elusive snowshoe hare.

You’ll find a few nice swimming spots along the trail as well.  

A snowshoe hare on the Kettle Pond Trail in Groton State Forest, Vermont.
A rabbit enjoying the evening on the Kettle Pond trail

Visiting Groton State Forest is like escaping back in time.

The landscape is wild, the trails uncrowded, and the pace blissfully slow. Plus, the state parks within Groton State Forest will provide you with the quintessential summer-in-Vermont vacation you’ve been looking for — camping, swimming, paddling, and hiking. It’s an enchanting place, with a bit of magic for every explorer.


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A collage of photos featuring Vermont wilderness. Text overlay: Wild Vermont - Groton State Forest

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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.

James Avery

Friday 4th of February 2022

I was up in Groton last spring to attend a memorial service for my aunt and uncle who both passed away within a couple of months of each other. They owned lone pine camp on Groton pond. My brothers and I spent time every summer there growing up with our cousins sleeping in the front room over looking the lake. Fishing, boating, swimming , and picking blueberries that aunt bing would use to make pancakes smothered in syrup uncle dean cooked in the spring. Thinking of the lake always brings back the fondest memories of my childhood. Groton Forrest and the surrounding areas are a beautiful place to vacation and the locals are warm and friendly. I highly recommend visiting

Karen

Friday 15th of April 2022

@James Avery, I hope the family kept the camp! No one in my family did sadly

Shauna

Tuesday 8th of February 2022

@James Avery, I was researching some info about the Nature Center at Groton State Forest when I came across this written by you, James. You paint a beautiful picture of time spent on the lake. Aunt Bing and Uncle Deane would have smiled at your words and the memory. Stay well.

Tina Wilson

Thursday 11th of November 2021

We camped there growing up in the 60s! Beautiful place! I would like to stay there again and recapture some camping memories.

marna k ehrech

Monday 11th of October 2021

Nice article, makes me want to go!

Eva Schuette

Monday 11th of October 2021

Looks lovely.

Jim Stevens

Saturday 6th of March 2021

The picture with the rabbit is not a "jackrabbit". There aren't any in Vermont, it's a varying hare or snowshoe rabbit.

Tara Schatz

Saturday 6th of March 2021

Thanks for catching that, Jim!