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If you're looking for overnight facilities in Groton State Forest you won't be disappointed. Big Deer State Park is located west of the Groton Nature Center and has 28 campsites. The park provides toilets and hot showers in a heavily wood area.
New Discovery State Park is located off of State Highway 232. There are 47 campsites and 14 Adirondack style lean-tos. Toilets, hot showers, and a playground are available as well as access to a majority of the hiking trails in the State Forest. For backpackers there are five primitive backcountry campsites scattered through the area. Osmore Pond is about a mile hike south from the campground and is an excellent place for a picnic. If you want a bit more adventure consider hiking to the summit of Deer Mountain, far more remote and a bit taller than Owlshead.
Ricker Pond State Park is located in the southeastern corner of Groton State Forest. The campground has 32 sites and 23 lean-tos. There are toilets, hot showers, and a dump station. Many of the lean-tos and campsites sit directly on the shore of Ricker Pond. In the summer, visitors can brave the chilly water at the swimming beach and use the boat launch.
Probably the best campground can be found at Stillwater State Park. The park has 62 sites and 17 lean-tos. Toilets, a dump station, hot showers, playground, and group shelter are all available. Big Deer State Park, the Groton Nature Center, and Boulder Beach is all within a mile of the campground, and even Owlshead Mountain is little more than a two-mile one-way trek.
Lake Groton is well developed. Summertime visitors can enjoy the beach, docks, and boat launch. It is an ideal place for a family to visit. Campers can canoe over to Boulder Beach, about a half-mile away on the eastern shore of Groton Lake. The day use area has 75 picnic sites, boat launch, beach, and a small snack bar in the summer months. From mid-June to Labor Day a variety of programs are available at the nearby Groton Nature Center.
Want a more unique experience? If your idea of outdoor recreation includes fly-fishing consider staying at the Seyon Recreation Area, located on the shores of small Noyes Pond. Seyon Ranch provides private and semi-private lodging for up to 15 guests for a maximum of a three-night stay. Almost everything is provided and accommodations include a living area, linens, towels, blankets, showers and bathtubs, conference rooms and dining areas, and depending on your specific needs, up to three meals a day. Noyes Pond is stocked with squaretail trout and offers some of the best fly-fishing in the state of Vermont. Reservations are required at the extremely popular ranch and should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Whether your plans are for a scenic drive through Vermont, a snowshoeing trek for some winter backpacking, a weekend camping trip with your family, or exploring the darkest reaches of the emerging forest, you'll find plenty to do in Groton State Forest. For more information on Groton State Forest contact Big Deer State Park, 303 Boulder Beach Road, Groton, Vermont 05046, in the summer (802) 584-3822 and during the winter (802) 479-4280.
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