Groton State Forest | |
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Type | State forest |
Location | Caledonia, Orange, and Washington Counties |
Coordinates | 44°16′34″N 72°17′29″W / 44.276°N 72.2914°W |
Area | 26,164 acres (105.88 km2) |
Operated by | Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation |
Website | [1] |
Groton State Forest covers 26,164 acres (105.88 km2) in Danville, Groton, Marshfield, Orange, Peacham, Plainfield, Topsham, Vermont.[1] The forest covers areas in Caledonia, Orange, and Washington Counties. Major roads through the forest are U.S. Route 302 and Vermont Route 232.
The forest is managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation for timber resources, wildlife habitat, and recreational activities. It is home to seven state parks: Big Deer State Park, Boulder Beach State Park, Kettle Pond State Park, New Discovery State Park, Ricker Pond State Park, Seyon Lodge State Park and Stillwater State Park. The state also operates the Groton Nature Center to educate about the natural history of the forest and parks.
Activities in the park include camping, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, trapping, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.[1] The Montpelier-Wells River Rail Trail, part of the Cross Vermont Trail, is 12 miles long and bisects the length of Groton State Forest.[2][3] Snowmobiling is allowed on designated VAST trails.[1]