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Grout Pond Recreation Area
Grout Pond Recreation Area is available for year-round recreation. The recreation area is a great destination for camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and fishing all based around the 80 acre Grout Pond. Over 10 miles of multipurpose non-motorized trails are available for enjoyment.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Grout Pond Recreation Area is first-come, first-served until May 24th, and again from July 15th to the end of the season due to construction and may result in a full closure for the season if necessary. Please contact the Manchester Ranger Station if you have any questions: 1-802-362-2307. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Open year-round. Day-Use Areas open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Reservations: | Most campsites are available for reservations at least 4 days in advance online through recreation.gov. |
| Fees: | Camping Fee:
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| Usage: | Heavy |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: |
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| Water: | A handpump providing potable water near the lower parking lot available mid-May through October. |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Green Mountain National Forest - Manchester Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:From Route 7 in Arlington, take the Arlington exit and turn west on Route 313 at the end of the exit ramp. Take the first right onto South Road and follow to the end. Turn right onto Kansas Road and follow over Rte 7 and over a two-lane bridge. After the bridge turn right and travel east on the Kelley Stand Road (aka: Stratton-Arlington Road) for about 10.2 miles. Turn right onto Grout Pond Road and follow to the end.
From Route 100 in West Wardsboro, travel west on the Stratton-Arlington Road (aka: Kelley Stand Road) for about 6 miles and turn left onto Grout Pond Road and follow to the end.
General Notes:
Grout Pond Trails
- Camp Loop - .9 miles, Easy
- East Trail - 3.2 miles, Easy-Moderate, but very wet, not recommended for summer use
- Hill Top Trail .8 miles Moderate
- Pond Loop 2.6 miles Easy
- West Trail 2.8 mies Moderate
Additional Resources
Near the parking area there is a 200-foot carry-in boat launch, a hand pump for drinking water (available Mid May — October,) a vault toilet, and a day-use picnic area with grills. Over 10.0 miles of multipurpose trails are available through relatively flat, low-lying terrain.
The trails are marked with blue diamond blazes, are available for year-round hiking, but can be extremely wet and muddy at times.
Parking:
There is a larger parking area near the pond for walk-in campground and day use.
Activities
Campground Camping
Camping is allowed in 17 designated sites. A fee is charged during the campground operating season which runs from mid-May through October. See at-a-glance fee schedule for more information. Most campsites are available for reservations at least 4 days in advance online through recreation.gov.
There is a host cabin but it is not available to the public at this time. Near the cabin there are 6 vehicle accessible campsites and a vault toilet. There are no showers or hook-ups.
At various locations along the northeastern shore of the pond there are 11 campsites - 2 of which have shelters that each sleep 6. All campsites are walk-in. Seven of these campsites can be reached by a non-motorized boat. Some campsites have a picnic table, a tent platform or pad, and a fire ring. Tents must be placed on the tent pads or the platforms provided at walk-in sites 1-11.
Lake and Pond Fishing
See fishing regulations at Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department for more information regarding fishing in Grout Pond.
Day Hiking
Over 10.0 miles of multipurpose trails are available through relatively flat, low-lying terrain. The trails are marked with blue diamond blazes, are available for year-round hiking, but can be extremely wet and muddy at times. Trails connect with a more extensive trail system of nearby Somerset Reservoir.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Pond is 84 acres and is 28 feet deep. Only non-motorized boats are allowed.
Site includes a 200-foot carryin boat launch with an unloading area in the parking lot.
There is a campground and day use area on the shore of the lake with camping allowed in designated sites only.
Help prevent the spread of non-native invasive species, such as Eurasian watermilfoil and didymo, by cleaning and drying your boat between each use. This will help protect the health and beauty of our lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers.
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
The winter parking lot is on the Stratton-Arlington road. The town of Stratton also plows Grout Pond Road to the upper day use area.
In winter, the trails are open to ungroomed skiing and are rated easy to more difficult.
These trails are maintained in partnership with the Catamount Trail Association and Dutch Hill Area Skiers and Hikers.
Please see our winter activities page for more best practices for winter skiing and snowshoeing on the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.
Location
