Camping
Day use
THINGS TO DO
Camping
Hiking
Swimming
Boating
Fishing
Biking
Park Events & Programs
Venture Vermont
Winter Activities
Other Activities
Family Fun
Enjoying Nature
Groton, VT 05046
Fee Area: Camping fees apply
Camping: 26 tent/RV sites, 23 lean-to sites
Cabins/ Cottages: 5 cabins, 2 cottages available to rent
Pets are not permitted on beaches, in most cabins or the cottages, but are allowed elsewhere in the park. At this time, only the Knox Mountain cabin is pet-friendly
Park Updates & Alerts
- Due to road closures from heavy rains and flooding, Ricker Pond reopened on 7/22/24. Perry Merrill cottage is closed indefinitely due to damages. The cottage is anticipated to reopen later this season. Check out our park flood status updates page for more information.
- The maximum stay at prime sites is 14 days.
- Firewood is not to be brought to parks from out of state UNLESS the wood is packaged, labeled as having been heat treated, and certified by USDA or the appropriate state department of agriculture. For more info, click here.
- Check for beach closures and latest swimwater test results for this location.
Go 2 miles west on U.S. 302, then 2.5 miles northwest on VT 232.
Camping: There are 26 tent/RV sites and 23 lean-to sites available to rent at the park. There are also 5 cabins and 2 cottages.
Hiking: Groton State Forest contains over 17 miles of hiking trails.
Swimming: Ricker Pond has great swimming for campers. There is a designated swimming area and a small, sandy beach.
Boating: Boats are welcome at the park. There is a boat launch. Boat launch access is limited to campers in park. There are boat rentals in the park.
Fishing: Perch, pickerel and bullhead are among some of the species swimming in Ricker Pond.
Nature Programs: There is a nature center with programs serving the parks in the Groton State Forest.
Mountain Biking: Groton State Forest has miles of multi-use trails great for mountain biking.
This park is one of seven parks in the Groton State Forest. These parks are all within close proximity to one another (some within walking distance) and entry to one provides free entry to all. Combined, the parks offer a range of activities and attractions.
Welcome
Ricker Pond State Park, established in the 1930’s, is located on the western shores of Ricker Pond and adjacent to the Montpelier-Wells Rail Trail (Cross Vermont Trail).
As early as 1704, Native Americans and the French were using routes through Groton to reach Canada and Massachusetts. Colonists settled this area of Vermont slightly earlier than the rest of the state through the accessible network of waterways.
The rocky, tree covered hillsides were originally cloaked with white pine, spruce, hemlock, beech, maple and birch. These were logged by local farmers for lumber, fuel and potash. The logging industry was large-scale for almost 100 years while the railroad was operating. Today, logging is still a vital industry in the area, but has lost some of its dominance in favor of modern society’s leisure time movement - private cottages/seasonal homes and a variety of outdoor recreation activities.
Groton State Forest, with over 26,000 acres, is the second largest landholding administered by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. It contains over 17 miles of hiking trails and over 20 miles of gravel roads and multi-use trails suitable for mountain biking and horseback riding.
Facilities / Amenities
The campground has 26 tent/RV sites, 23 lean-tos, 5 cabins and 2 cottages available to rent. Two of the three campground restrooms include coin-operated hot showers. A sanitary dump station is available, but there are no hookups. There is also a swimming beach, boat launch, boat rentals, and shelter for campers, as well as access to miles of hiking and biking trails.
Both the original cottage and the Perry Merrill Cottage are located on the waterfront. Both cottages sleep 4 people and both come with canoes on site.
All of the 5 cabins are on wooded sites, and 2 have water views.
Park Interpreter
This park has a park interpreter offering fun, hands-on activities in the new nearby Groton Nature Center. Interpreters are park staff solely dedicated to helping you learn more about the natural and cultural history of the park. Some popular activities include night hikes, nature crafts and games, campfire programs and amphibian explorations.
Check out the of current events to see some of the programs planned during your visit.
Related Pages
- Groton Nature Center
- Biking at Ricker Pond State Park
- Cabin information
- Cottage information
- Hiking trails
- Swim Water Quality
- Park Fees
- Other parks in the Groton State Forest: