When you are talking about weekend winter getaways, the Green Mountains of Vermont are naturally a great choice as they turn white with packed powder as soon as the snow starts to fly. With a great amount of ski resorts and skiing locations to choose from, the Green Mountain State offers plenty of winter activities, camping options, snowmobile trails, fishing, hunting, and more. Soak up everything the state has to offer with a trip to Groton State Forest.
Groton State Forest comprises 26,164 acres in the towns of Danville, Groton, Marshfield, Peacham, Orange, Plainfield, and other areas. In the forest and its lands, you will find VAST trails, bog, and remnants of sawmills from another time. Plus, this state forest supports year-round activities like hiking, fishing, hunting, trapping, skiing, and snowshoeing.
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Off-Roading in the wintertime in Vermont almost always means snowmobiles, and Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) was founded almost 50 years ago to groom and maintain the state’s snowmobile throughways, of which Groton State Forest has many. With hundreds of miles of trail to explore, you’ll see Vermont back roads, bucolic winter forests, packed powder pastoral fields, and pristine frozen lakes. Be sure to have proper permits and to be well-versed in Vermont’s snowmobiling law!
Groton State Forest, or Seyon Lodge as it is often called, offers 6 miles of groomed x-country skiing trails, restrooms, a warming shed, and even serves hot lunch on Wednesday. With nominal suggested day fees, the on-site Nature Center also offers free plowed parking and access to several trailheads to wooded trails, including The Little Loop Trail, The Nature Trail, and the splendid Peacham Bog Loop (4.5 miles).
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There are no less than eight major ponds encompassed in Groton State Forest and they all freeze over during the winter months. Kettle Pond and Lake Groton via Boulder Beach, however, are the most popular places to fish due to the pond being cleared out and the free plowed parking. Just remember, fishing in The Green Mountain State requires a license, which you can get nearby at the nearby Upper Valley Grill.
Hunting in Groton State Forest is allowed with a license, and the season starts the first week in Oct. As imagined, the over 26,000-acre park makes for an exciting and challenging sporting experience, where you can hunt red and gray fox, otters, bobcats, partridge, deer, and more. Trapping is also allowed, be sure to check the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife’s website for more information about hunting and trapping seasons.
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Just over 30 minutes away from Groton State Forest, head to the town of St. Johnsbury where you’ll find one of Vermont’s most well-stocked independently owned sporting goods stores. There, you will find a variety of hunting, fishing, and archery supplies, as well as binoculars, scopes, knives, and other accessories. Plus, get muzzleloaders, ammunition, and other traditional firearms in one convenient location.
White in St. Johnsbury, why take a peek at some art made entirely of bugs, exhibits of wildflowers and plants, a butterfly house, plenty of natural history, a planetarium, and much more at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. Make sure you can spare a few hours before you head here, you’ll definitely want to take your time seeing and experiencing all that the museum has to offer. Anyone at any age is sure to love walking through the exhibits that are displayed. You’ll be rich in fascinating natural history in no time.
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You could try your luck camping at any of the surrounding state parks, but when you spend the day outside there’s nothing better than spending the night at a warm and cozy farmhouse inn. Pie in the Sky is a “Civil War-era Greek Revival 18-room farmhouse on a traditional Vermont hill farm.” This charming farmhouse offers views of the beautiful wintery fields and gardens on the premises, farm animals making appearances from the old barn, a luscious greenhouse and spa, and plenty more. You won’t want to leave! If you stay for three or more days, you are able to enjoy a full traditional breakfast.
The Boulder Beach parking lot is plowed throughout the winter, so if a shiny smooth lake of ice isn’t enticing enough, maybe easy means of travelling will do the trick. Lake Groton makes for excellent skating, not only will the experience be nice to take in, but so will the surrounding trees and snow-covered mountainous terrain. Another popular place to skate is surprisingly the flooded tennis courts at the Blue Mountain School.
If you want a great home-cooked meal as well as lots of local color, then the Upper Valley Grill and General Store is the place you want to be. Offering burgers and fries, homemade soups, and other hearty warm dishes, this diner inside of a general store will leave you with a full belly and a smile on your face.
