Quiet, rural beauty a short drive from St. Johnsbury
Just south of St. Johnsbury, Waterford is a quiet, rural town that often feels more secluded than it actually is. “It’s nestled along the Connecticut River, and it offers a blend of natural beauty, historical charm and also a very close-knit community,” says Liz Tremblay, a Realtor at RE/MAX Heritage who has lived in the Northeast Kingdom, especially the St. Johnsbury area, for 25 years and has over five years of experience selling homes here. “It’s celebrated for its unspoiled landscapes and outdoor opportunities.” Waterford’s forests draw visitors with fiery yellows, oranges and reds in the fall that are broken only by stretches of farmland and pastures. St. Johnsbury’s proximity, though, means that essentials and entertainment are always just a short drive away.
Fishing, kayaking and birding at local ponds, nearby Dog Mountain
Waterford has two ponds for residents to enjoy, the biggest of which is Stiles Pond. “You can fish, and a lot of people will ice fish,” Tremblay says. The pond also has a public boat ramp where kayaks and canoes can launch out onto the water. Duck Pond is much smaller — just 16 acres to Stiles’ 135 acres — but both ponds are popular among birdwatchers, making it onto the Vermont LoonWatch annual survey. Held on the third Saturday of July, the largely volunteer-run survey, organized by the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, aims to track the population and breeding season of the birds in the state. During the fall, visitors and residents head to scenic overlooks like Hummingbird Hill, where the leaves give the mountains a fiery hue.
Just 4 miles away, the 150-acre Dog Mountain has dog-friendly ponds, hiking trails and an athletic course. Located on its grounds, Dog Chapel is a major attraction. With windows of stained glass and pews framed by carvings of dogs, every inch of the chapel’s interior walls is covered in photos and notes of remembrance meant to honor dogs who have crossed the rainbow bridge.
Houses with acreage, historic homes in Lower Waterford
Many of Waterford’s homes are colonials, Cape Cods and log-style cabins along gravel roads. It’s easy to find houses with acres of forest or farmland and outbuildings, but there are also homes on less than an acre. A collection of houses on smaller lots are found in Lower Waterford, which Tremblay says “showcases homes from the 1700s, reflecting the town’s rich history.” Many of these historic houses are painted white, earning this part of town an alternative name: The White Village. Because Waterford’s homes showcase such variety, they cover a wide range of prices. These prices are made harder to pin down by the fact that the town’s houses don’t hit the market very often. Only seven homes have sold since 2024, with prices ranging from $250,000 to $800,000.
Navigating mud season, potential flooding
When Vermont’s cold winters begin turning to spring, “mud season” begins. As the ground thaws and spring rains hit, dirt trails and gravel roads often become mired by thick mud, making them hard to traverse. Cars with four-wheel drive help many residents navigate muddy streets.
Flooding is also a possibility in Waterford. Over the past several years, especially in 2024, farms have been hit by overflowing brooks. Some experts have expressed concern that these floods will become more common as the climate continues to change.
Fine dining at Rabbit Hill Inn, essentials in St. Johnsbury
Lower Waterford serves as Waterford’s town center, containing Davies Memorial Library and Rabbit Hill Inn. Although the inn, which got its start in 1795, is where many visitors stay during foliage season, Tremblay says locals go there for meals too. Its reservations-only restaurant, 24 Carrot, offers a French-inspired fine-dining menu. Many residents drive about 6 miles to St. Johnsbury for more restaurants, shopping, museums and a movie theater.
Caledonia Cooperative School District, school choice
Waterford is part of the Caledonia Cooperative School District, which gets a B from Niche. Children attend Waterford Elementary, which has a B-minus, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. From there, school choice allows parents to choose what high school their children attend. One of the most popular options is St. Johnsbury Academy, which has an A. Although it’s a private school with a steep annual tuition, children from a few nearby towns like Waterford can attend it for free.
Highway access and nearby hospital
Interstate 93 and state Route 18 run through Waterford. Route 18 connects to Lower Waterford Road Fork, one of the town’s only other paved roads, in Lower Waterford. Like most essentials, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital is in St. Johnsbury.
Vermont Open Farm Week in Waterford
With so many working farms in the town, Vermont Open Farm Week is a big deal. During this week, typically in August, farms open to the public. Every farm offers something different, like farm stands or a look at how the farms function.
Written By
Christina Norwood
