Nestled among heavily forested mountains, Lake Groton, also known as Groton Pond, is a cherished summer destination for generations of camp owners. This picturesque 400-acre lake, with nearly six miles of rocky shoreline, is ideal for summer cottages and hunting camps. Its rich history includes logging, railway access, and small steamships that initially facilitated logging but soon catered to summer residents accessing their cottages by water.
Lake Groton offers a range of activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, and nature observation. Residents and visitors enjoy waterskiing, tubing, sailing, jet-skiing, pontooning, canoeing, and kayaking. Larger boats are rare, as the lake has only two small public boat launches on state land. Boulder Beach State Park allows carry-in boats, while Stillwater State Park on the west shore has a small ramp for registered campground visitors. Both state parks close in September, restricting general public access the rest of the year. Frequent visitors often purchase a Green Mountain Passport for annual park access. These parks also feature the only public swim beaches on the lake. The Lake Groton Association monitors water quality and educates lake users about invasive species and pollution prevention, hosting an annual 4th of July Boat Parade.
Anglers prize Lake Groton for its variety of fish, including panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and yellow perch. The lakeshore within Groton State Forest attracts campers to the state parks with campgrounds, offering excellent fishing on Lake Groton and nearby waters like Ricker Pond and various trout-filled brooks. The 25,000-acre Groton State Forest is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, bear, fox, moose, turkey, and numerous small mammals. Near the lake’s south end, a wetland area is a nesting ground for loons, often seen with their chicks on the water.
Several easily accessible hiking and mountain bike trails surround Lake Groton, many of which begin close to the Nature Center at the north end. The center provides trail maps and exhibits on local wildlife, logging history, geology, and the nearby Peacham Bog. These trails are open for cross-country skiing in winter, and parking lots are maintained year-round.