Nature and hiking abound in Groton
With winding roads and thousands of acres of the protected Groton State Forest, Groton surrounds residents with Vermont's scenic landscapes and wilderness. “If someone is really into nature and wants a place for them and their family to explore — hiking, swimming, kayaking, the possibilities are endless there,” says Ruby Klarich, a real estate agent at Central Vermont Real Estate who grew up nearby and has been selling homes in the area for over two years. Being surrounded by nature means that most essentials are 10 miles away in Woodsville, New Hampshire, but Klarich says the proximity to New Hampshire is its own draw for some residents. Many, though, commute to work in Barre, about 21 miles away in the opposite direction. The drive takes about 35 minutes.
Hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing in Groton State Forest
At 26,000 acres, Groton State Forest sprawls across several Vermont towns, but its heart is in Groton. “There’s kayaking, swimming, camping, hiking, winter activities … so snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing,” Klarich says. “You can really go there any time of year. It’s beautiful in the fall.” The forest has 45 miles of hiking trails, including the Owls Head Mountain Trail, which is considered an easy trail and is accessible to children. It’s a trail Klarich says she hiked as a kid. The forest has trails for horseback riding, and hunting is allowed during certain times of year. “There’s multiple spots to swim at the Groton State Forest too,” Klarich says. “There’s eight lakes and ponds, so there’s plenty of space for kayaking, motorboats, fishing.” Six of those lakes and ponds are located in Groton. The most popular of these is Boulder Beach on Lake Groton. In addition to the lake itself, the beach has paddle boats available for rent, a playground and a spot to get ice cream. The park is practically in some residents’ backyards, but when a day trip just doesn’t feel like enough, there are spots for tent and RV camping.
Houses with acreage or lakefront
A handful of homes line both sides of the road in Groton’s little town center. Most of Groton’s other homes, though, are stretched along gravel roads. Many homes have acreage — anywhere from an acre to over 100 acres — and some sit at the edge of one of the area’s lakes or ponds. Historic Victorian or colonial homes dating to the 1890s are common here, but there are also newer colonials, log-style cabins and even 1990s contemporary-style houses. If they don’t have much land, fixer-uppers can start around $110,000, but houses in Groton can climb as high as $600,000. The most expensive are typically waterfront, have extensive acreage or both. Klarich says Groton also has seasonal homes, or houses that are zoned specifically to be lived in for only a certain portion of the year.
Heavy rains can lead to flooding and mud season begins in spring
Vermont receives a lot of precipitation throughout the year, and there’s a major risk of flooding in Groton. Flash flooding can also be a concern. From spring through early summer, Vermont also experiences a mud season. Thawing ground and rain result in deep mud on hiking trails and gravel roads, which can make them hard to traverse. Some hiking trails are closed and roads are easiest to traverse with a four-wheel drive.
Most shopping and dining are 10 miles away
Groton has a small town center along Scott Memorial Highway, also known as U.S. Route 302. It’s home to a post office, library and town office. Up the road, Upper Valley Grill & General Store offers a small selection of groceries, fishing essentials, camping supplies and alcohol alongside a restaurant that’s particularly well-known for its breakfast menu and homemade pies. For more shopping and restaurants, most locals drive 10 miles across the river to Woodsville or stop for groceries on their way home from work in a bigger town.
Celebrating fall foliage with a parade and plenty of food
On the first Saturday of October, Groton residents and visitors gather for the Fall Foliage Celebration. There’s a community breakfast in the morning, followed by a parade and a chicken pie supper in the evening. Vendors line the streets, but the changing leaves that surround the town still take center stage.
All local students attend Blue Mountain Union School
From pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, children in Groton attend Blue Mountain Union School. The school, where every grade is taught in the same building, earns a C from Niche. It has about 440 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11-to-1.
Major roads, nearest hospital located in Woodsvillle
Scott Memorial Highway serves as Groton’s main road — and its biggest, though state Road 232 also runs through the town. There are a few other paved roads, especially shooting out from Groton’s town center, but most of its smaller residential streets are gravel roadways. Cottage Hospital in Woodsville is the nearest hospital at about 12 miles away, but Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital is bigger. It’s about 30 miles away.
Written By
Christina Norwood
