Danville, Groton, Marshfield, Orange, Peacham, Plainfield, Topsham; Caledonia, Orange, and Washington Counties 26,164 Acres
General Description: Acquisition of Groton State Forest began in 1919. The Forest is managed for timber resources, wildlife habitat, and recreational activities. Many rare, threatened, and endangered plants and animals occur in the Forest. The most sensitive species are associated with the cliffs, bogs and swamps, lakes, and forests around lakes.
Unique Features: Groton State Forest is home to seven state parks, the Groton Nature Center, and eight lakes and ponds. The area was once home to 12 sawmills and remnants are still visible. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was instrumental in developing the area, constructing roads, trails, fire lookouts, and picnic shelters and planting trees within the forest. Glaciers covered the area 10,000 years ago and their retreat created the mountainous terrain mixed with streams, ponds, bogs, and wetlands.
Groton State Forest is also home to several state-designated natural areas, such as Peacham Bog Natural Area (748 acres) and Lords Hill Natural Area (25 acres). For more information, please see the Vermont Natural Areas Guide.
Recreation Overview: Groton State Forest is open for varied and dispersed recreation, including but not limited to camping, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, trapping, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. The Montpelier and Wells River Railroad bed was converted to a multi-use trail and is part of the Cross Vermont Trail. Snowmobiling is allowed on designated VAST trails.
- Link to FPR Recreation Page
- Primitive Camping Map
Planning Overview: Groton State Forest is part of the Groton Management Unit.
- Link to Groton Management Unit
Any questions about this parcel? Please contact: St. Johnsbury District Office 802-751-0110
For park-specific questions, please visit the Vermont State Parks website at https://vtstateparks.com/