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Grout Pond Recreation Area is 1,600 acres of the Green Mountain National Forest set aside for year-round recreation. Grout Pond is a very popular destination for camping, hiking, canoeing, and fishing.
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.
In winter, the trails are open to ungroomed skiing and are rated easy to more difficult. Snowmobiles are restricted to Forest Road 262 and a portion of the West Trail. These trails are marked with orange diamond blazes.
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 Forest Road 262 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 Forest Road 262. Follow FR 262 to the end.
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:
There are 6 vehicle accessible campsites available on a first come, first served basis. there are 11 campsites (2 of which have shelters, each sleeping 6) and an additional day use picnic site. These campsites are walk-in, however, 7 of these campsites can be reached by boat.
Each campsite has a picnic table, a tent platform or pad, and a fire ring.
Receation Area amenities include a an open day-use area, and a barrier-free vault toilet. A hand pump for drinking water near the lower parking area is in operation from Memorial Day-September.
Fishing
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Lake and Pond Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:
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.
Water Activities
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Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity 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.
The winter parking lot is on the Stratton-Arlington road. Ski or snowshoe in to Grout Pond via Forest Road 262, which is also a snowmobile trail. It is approximately 1.5 miles to the pond.
On the way in you will pass the access point for the East Trail, which has an easy rating and loops to the east of the pond ending at the southern tip.
Other trails in the system include the Pond Loop and Camp Loop, which have easy ratings, and Hill Top Trail and the West Trail, which are rated moderate. The trail system has over 10.0 miles of trails in total.
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