Big Deer State Park is one of the Vermont state parks located in Groton that surrounds the Groton State Forest Recreation Area, which is made up of multiple state parks within easy traveling distance. Most of the areas you can get to by walking or biking. Groton State Forest itself is over 26,000 acres of splendor waiting to be discovered.
You'll have access to activities on the water within just a short commute. Boulder Beach State Park offers swimming, as well as boating and fishing. Kettle Pond State Park and New Discovery State Park also offer boating and fishing. If water sports aren't for you, there are miles of trails for hiking or mountain biking that you can access from the Big Deer State Park and enjoy seeing the flora and fauna all around you. You can also enjoy the nature activities that take place at the easy to get to Groton Nature Center for a variety of ranger-led activities.
Big Deer State Park has a smaller sized campground. There are 22 tent or RV sites, as well as five lean-to sites. You have to check in at Stillwater State Park. There are no hookups, but coin-operated hot showers are present, as well as restroom facilities.
Big Deer State Park is easy to get to and located off of VT 232 in Groton, Vermont, within the Groton State Forest Recreation Area. The park is situated an hour and a half east of Burlington, VT and three hours northwest of Boston, Massachusetts. The roads surrounding the park are heavily forested and narrow. Larger rigs will want to drive with caution and watch out for falling tree branches. Winters in Vermont can be especially harsh, so you'll want to check road conditions before you head out during the colder months.
You will be near six other state parks located in the Groton State Forest area when you camp at Big Deer State Park. Boulder Beach State Park, New Discovery State Park, Ricker Pond State Park, and Kettle Pond State Park all offer outdoor activities you can enjoy such as boating or hiking.
The campsites at Big Deer State Park are all located around one camping loop. This loop is right off of VT 232, providing you easy access to Boulder Beach State Park if you head to the east or Stillwater State Park if you head to the west from the park. Parking for day use visitors is limited, but you will likely find a space at the Groton Nature Center, which is down the street from the park entrance.
Big Deer State Park has a small campground, with 22 sites for tents and RVs, as well as 5 sites for lean-tos. When you come to the park, there isn't a park office to check in at located at Big Deer; you will go to Stillwater State Park to check in. It is also important that you select your campsite carefully, especially if you have a larger RV or camping trailer. Many of the sites designated for RVs or tents are only large enough to hold a tent.
The campground has no hookups for your camping trailer when you camp at Big Deer. There is one camping loop that you will find the campsites surrounding. There are coin-operated hot showers, as well as restrooms with hot and cold running water on Big Deer. You will also find firewood available for purchase at the park. You're also close to the other parks within Groton State Forest, so you're an easy trip away from their amenities and entertainment activities, from boating to swimming.
When you come to Big Deer State Park, make sure that you bring your swimming gear in your camping rig. While there is not a place to swim at Big Deer, you will find yourself an easy walk away from Boulder Beach State Park, which has designated swimming areas, with over 200 feet of beach. The park also has a concession stand, so you can get a snack when you take a break from swimming.
Don't forget to bring your fishing gear in your rig when you come to Big Deer State Park. There are lots of opportunities for fishing within the Groton State Forest Recreation Area, including opportunities at Kettle Pond, Ricker Pond, New Discovery, Boulder Beach, and Seyon Lodge. Some of these parks, such as Ricker Pond, also participate in Vermont's Reel Fun fishing program, allowing newcomers to learn to fish and borrow gear such as rod and tackle under the instruction of park employees.
When you come to Big Deer State Park with your RV or camping trailer, you might want to bring your boat. It's a quick jaunt over to the nearby parks, such as Boulder Beach, where you can use your boat. If you didn't bring your own equipment, you can rent boats from some of the parks, such as Seyon Lodge. Rent a row boat from Seyon Lodge or a pedal boat from Boulder Beach and go out on the water with your family.
Bring your hiking shoes and gear when you bring your RV to Big Deer State Park. The parks within Groton State Forest are very interconnected, and there is a vast trail system that connects the over 26,000 acres of forest. The major points of interest throughout the forest are connected by the trail system, which runs for over 17 miles of trails for you to explore with your friends or loved ones while you check out the flora and fauna.
Don't forget to pack your mountain bike when you are stowing your gear to come to Big Deer State Park on your camping rig. There are over 20 miles of multi-use trails that connect the parks within Groton State Forest, so you will have plenty of territory to cross. These trails are great for biking on when you come to the park, as you can't use the regular hiking trails with your bikes, so make sure to stick to the right ones.
When you come with family and friends to Big Deer State Park, you might want to check out the Groton Nature Center. It is within easy walking distance of the park and is shared by the parks within Groton State Forest. Check the schedule to see what sort of events will be taking place when you are in the park. You will find a variety of possibilities, from demonstrations to nature discussions led to park employees.
