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Groton VT Real Estate: Homes and Camps at the Edge of Groton State Forest

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

Groton is a Caledonia County town of about 980 people on US Route 302, and much of its western third is Groton State Forest, 26,164 acres of lakes, trails, and state parks. Lake Groton, at 422 acres, is the forest's largest lake. The Wells River begins in Groton, and the Montpelier and Wells River Rail Trail runs through town. Groton students attend Blue Mountain Union School (PreK-12) in Wells River. Current Groton listings appear at the bottom of this page, and our Groton market report shows recent sales and prices.

Groton at a Glance

• County: Caledonia
• ZIP code: 05046
• Population: 984 (2020 Census)
• Area: about 55.0 square miles
• Communities: Groton village, Ricker Mills, and West Groton
• State forest: Groton State Forest, 26,164 acres across seven towns, with seven state parks
• Schools: Blue Mountain Union School (PreK-12), Orange East Supervisory Union

Living in Groton

Groton State Forest is the town's backyard. The forest covers 26,164 acres across Groton and six neighboring towns and holds seven state parks, including Big Deer, Boulder Beach, Kettle Pond, New Discovery, Ricker Pond, Seyon Lodge, and Stillwater. Lake Groton, 422 acres, is its largest lake, and swimming, paddling, fishing, camping, and hiking fill the summer. The state began buying the land in 1919, and the Civilian Conservation Corps built much of its infrastructure in the 1930s.

The Montpelier and Wells River Rail Trail, part of the Cross Vermont Trail, runs through the forest and connects to the villages of Marshfield, Groton, and South Ryegate; it's open to walking, biking, and horseback riding and to snowmobiles in winter. Check current conditions, as sections have been closed for storm repairs.

Groton village sits on US Route 302 in the southern part of town, and the Wells River, a tributary of the Connecticut, has its headwaters here. The Groton Fall Festival and the Fall Foliage Chicken Pie supper are annual traditions.

Schools

Groton students attend Blue Mountain Union School in Wells River, which serves PreK through grade 12 in one school, in the Orange East Supervisory Union.

Homes and Camps in Groton

Buyers in Groton find village homes, lake camps and cottages, year-round homes near the state forest, rural homes on acreage, and land. See what's for sale now in the listings below, and check recent sale prices in the Groton market report, which updates as homes sell.

Buying a lake camp? Ask about year-round use, winter road access, septic, and water supply, and remember that clearing or building within 250 feet of a lake larger than 10 acres may need a state shoreland permit. Confirm whether you're buying the land as well as the camp. Our second home guide covers what to check.

Getting Around

• US Route 302 runs through Groton village, east toward Wells River and I-91 and west toward Barre and Montpelier.

Costs to Plan For

Vermont's property transfer tax, paid by the buyer at closing, is 0.5% on the first $200,000 of a primary residence and 1.47% above that; 3.62% for a second home suitable for year-round use; 1.47% for camps not suited to year-round use and land; and a VHFA-financed primary residence is exempt on the first $250,000. Estimate your costs with our Vermont Home Cost Calculator, and see our Vermont home inspection guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Groton State Forest?

About 26,164 acres across Groton and six neighboring towns, with seven state parks and eight lakes and ponds; Lake Groton, at 422 acres, is the largest.

What county is Groton, VT in?

Caledonia County.

What is the ZIP code for Groton, VT?

05046.

What schools serve Groton?

Blue Mountain Union School in Wells River, which serves PreK through grade 12.

How do I see recent home prices in Groton?

Our Groton market report lists recent sales, prices, and days on market, and updates automatically.

What to Do Next

Call our office at 802-253-4711, reach Tony Walton directly at 802-233-4107, or contact us.

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• Vermont Second Home Buying Guide
• Nearby: Peacham, Ryegate, Topsham, Danville

Sources

• Groton, Vermont (county, population, area, ZIP code, communities, US 302, Wells River, fall traditions)
• Groton State Forest
• Trail Finder, Montpelier & Wells River Rail Trail
• Town of Groton, Blue Mountain School
• Vermont DEC, Shoreland Permitting
• Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax