Explore Vermont’s Most Lovely Pond in the Fall
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As the first leaves start to change in Vermont, excitement fills the air.
The hot, humid days give way to crisp, cool temps, and residents and visitors scurry around enjoying the last few weeks of hiking, paddling, and camping before the snow flies.
One of our favorite ways to take in the change of season is with a trip on Grout Pond in southern Vermont.
This picturesque pond is nestled in the mountains of the Green Mountain National Forest and surrounded by beautiful hardwoods that put on a show each fall with their foliage display.
The Green Mountain National Forest is one of Vermont’s greatest treasures. It encompasses nearly 400,000 acres of rugged mountains, wild woodlands, and secret valleys in southwestern and central Vermont.
This magical place is within a day’s drive of 70 million people, and I count myself lucky to be a close neighbor to these vast lands.
Located in Stratton, Vermont, Grout Pond is a popular summer destination.
Grout Pond Campground and day-use parking lot fill up on most days, and while it’s worth the trip for a swim in those clear waters, a fall trip is all about the colors and the solitude.
Grout Pond is an easy drive from Manchester, Vermont, as long as you don’t mind meandering on one of southern Vermont’s most beautiful dirt roads.
Read Next: A Leaf-Peeping Road Trip in Southern Vermont
Kelly Stand Road from Arlington to Grout Pond
Kelly Stand Road is a seasonal dirt road that begins in East Arlington, Vermont.
It starts out paved, passing several homes and then seasonal camps along the Roaring Branch River.
Before long, the road narrows and turns to gravel, crossing into the Green Mountain National Forest and running along a high plateau.
No cell service up here, just wild forests, a rushing river, and beautiful fall colors!
This little road is one of my favorites to explore in the fall. It’s 12 miles from East Arlington to Grout Pond, and slow going, especially if you’ve brought your camera.
From Grout Pond, you can continue east on Stratton-Arlington Rd. It’s another 6.4 miles to Route 100 in Wardsboro.
You can easily drive south on Route 100 into Wilmington, Route 9 east to Bennington, and Route 7 north back to your starting point.
Hiking Around Grout Pond
A trailhead at the north end of Grout Pond provides access to a network of woodland trails, as well as the long-distance Catamount Trail (for cross-country skiing). There are numerous loops through the forest, and the main trail around the pond provides access to several waterfront campsites.
Grout Pond Trail is a 2.7-mile loop around the pond. The first half of the loop hugs the shoreline, traveling past 11 campsites before crossing a wetland and then leaving the woods to complete the trail on a forested ridge.
Insider tip: Cell service is spotty or non-existent in this part of the Green Mountain National Forest. I recommend using AllTrails Plus so you can download the trail map ahead of time and follow it with or without service. Save 30% when you use our affiliate link to purchase AllTrails Plus or AllTrails Peak.
I’d rate this trail as easy to moderate. In the summer, the bugs and mud are both pretty terrible, but in the fall, the bugs all but disappear and the trail dries out, making it the perfect time to hike.
The hike takes about an hour and a half, so if you have a kayak or canoe, you can make this a multi-sport adventure. I love to hike the loop and then paddle around the pond!
Grout Pond Camping
Camping at Grout Pond in the fall is delightful for so many reasons.
First of all, there’s a very good chance that you’ll have your pick of the 18 campsites available, even if you visit on a weekend. You can meander along the hiking trails, photograph the gorgeous fall colors, and paddle around on the glassy pond.
Of the 18 campsites available at Grout Pond, seven are located near the road, making them suitable for car camping or RVs. Five more sites can only be reached on foot, and six sites can be hiked to or paddled to.
We love site #2 for the awesome views and proximity to the water and toilet, but all the waterfront sites are pretty amazing. Site #11 is the last one on the trail and is very private. The hike to the #11 is about a mile, and paddling your gear out makes things much easier.
If you’re paddling into your campsite, you can unload all your stuff in the day-use area and then park your car in the lot.
It’s an easy 5-minute paddle to most of the sites, and there are lots of well-marked trails to explore. Our favorite is the 2.6-mile pond loop trail around Grout Pond. It is relatively flat, provides the best foliage views, and was great for our dogs, who didn’t mind swimming in the cold water.
The only drinking water is available in the day-use area, so I recommend bringing a portable water filter to drink directly from the lake. All tents must be set up on tenting platforms, so bringing a small tent is a good idea. Sites 10 and 11 have two platforms and can accommodate larger groups.
The Grout Pond Campground is open year-round. Sites can be booked on Recreation.gov and are $16 per site. You can reserve a site up until October 31st. After that, it’s first-come, first-served.
Stay at the Grout Pond Hut
A camping cabin was recently built on Grout Pond! I haven’t stayed there yet, but here’s what I know:
- Sleeps up to 10 guests with a total of eight mattresses (six twin beds and two double beds), so all you need is a sleeping bag.
- There is a kitchen with pots/pans/utensils/etc. (no running water, use stream or snowmelt for water. Always treat your water.)
- A propane stovetop is provided for preparing meals (bring your own food)
- There is a propane stove for heat during the cold months
- Enjoy a common room for eating meals, playing games, etc., and a reading nook for napping or relaxing
- There is a shared, enclosed outhouse (vaulted privy) for hut guests and campers
You can reserve the Grout Pond Hut through Vermont Huts & Trails, and there are lots of other backcountry huts in Vermont you should check out! Members get a nice discount while helping to support the maintenance of the huts and the construction of new ones.
Read next: The Best Fall Camping in New England
When to Visit Grout Pond in the Fall
To experience fall foliage at Grout Pond, visit in early to mid-October. The leaves usually start to turn by the first weekend in October, and by October 20th, they have all fallen to the ground.
Grout Pond is in southern Vermont, but it’s also in the mountains, so you can expect unpredictable weather. We have experienced 70-degree days in October, but also nights that are well below freezing. Rain is common, but so are beautiful sunny days.
When camping, your best bet is to pack lots of layers, your warmest sleeping bag, rain gear, and a can of soup. You can leave the bug spray and bathing suits at home.
Grout Pond Recreation Area is one of our favorite spots to experience fall foliage in Vermont. If you aren’t into camping in cold weather, you can still visit Grout Pond on a day trip from Bennington, Manchester, or Wilmington.
Resources for Exploring the Green Mountain National Forest
If you are exploring the Green Mountain National Forest this fall, I highly recommend getting the Green Mountain National Forest Maps put out by National Geographic. The bundle includes the northern and southern sections, which will help you explore a huge variety of back roads and trails. The maps are waterproof, tear-resistant, and include trails, campgrounds, and points of interest. Indispensable.
As a companion guide, I’d also recommend AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont. I co-authored the 3rd edition, which came out in May 2023. The Grout Pond loop is included in the guide.
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.
