Getting out and about in Grafton
For such a small quaint village, there is an abundance of things to see and do in Grafton. If you are staying at the Grafton Inn or one of its private homes, you get free use of gear at the Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center which you’ll definitely want to check out. Both the Grafton Inn and the outdoor center are owned and operated by the Windham Foundation.
Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center
When people think of Vermont, they usually think of fall leaves and winter sports. If that’s your idea of Vermont, then Grafton Ponds has to be on your to-do list.
Nordic Skiing
In this wooded outpost, just south of the village of Grafton, you’ll find 15k of Nordic trails through heavily wooded areas as well as over open fields. 5k of the trails have snowmaking equipment, so you’re ready to go whenever. Rentals are available, as are lessons.
Snowshoeing
There are 10k of snowshoeing trails which is what we tried on our most recent trip. What a blast! The woods were beautiful, and there were a variety of trails depending on your skill level.
On Saturdays, try to be there from 1 -3 p.m. for the Wine and Cheese Snowshoe Tours. On Sunday’s from 2 – 4 p.m., certain snowshoeing trails are open for dogs, so Bowser can enjoy the snow as well.
And there’s more
FAT Bikes are available to use in the snow with their ultra wide tires. Prefer to let someone else power your ride? Try dog-sledding – advance registration necessary. Or, just prefer gravity power? Try tubing on a 600-ft. tubing hill. Tubes are available for rent.
Summer fun
This becomes a mountain biker’s dream come warm weather. With an extensive trail system, you’ll find your ideal trail. Want to work out that BMX? There is a bike terrain park with jumps, teeter-totters, bridges and more.
Fly Fishing Clinic
Make reservations to get in on these 1-1/2 hour clinics that teach you the basics from line management to gear selection.
Hiking
With all the trails, you can get lost for an entire day in the beautiful woods of Vermont. Nothing like it.
Hours for each of the above vary by season, so call ahead.
Contact Information:
Daq Woods
Director of Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center
Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center
PO Box 9, 783 Townshend Road
Grafton, VT 05146
(802) 843-2400
http://graftonponds.com
info@graftonponds.com
While you’re there:
Be sure to allow time to stop at the cheese shop, just up the street about a ½ mile. Grafton Village Cheese Company offers a fantastic variety of wines, cheese, mustard, jams and jellies.
Staying more than a day:
Best place to stay and eat is Grafton Inn. It’s one of America’s oldest inns. Check out our review of Grafton Inn here.
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