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Groton State Forest: Owls Head Mountain

Trail over rolling terrain with short staircase climb to the summit of Owls Head.
Trail Activity
Walking Hiking Snowshoeing
Length
1.80 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Moderate
Town
Peacham (VT)
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Rock/Ledge, Snow, Ungroomed
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail. 

Learn more about high use trail systems.

The Owls Head trail is an easy walk to a scenic vista of Lake Groton, Kettle Pond and the Green Mountains. Traversing level and moderate terrain, the trail bypasses a swampy area and then climbs to the parking area at the end of Lanesboro Road. The trail to the summit of Owls Head continues to the left, following the rock steps of a path built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s.

Trail Manager

Visit VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation online for more information or contact:

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation District 5: St. Johnsbury District

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation District 5: St. Johnsbury District
374 Emerson Falls Road
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
Phone: (802) 751-0136
Luke.OBrien@vermont.gov
View website

Trail Tips

Leave What You Find
Avoid the introduction or transport of non-native species. Clean, drain, and dry water equipment when moving between water bodies.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

The Owls Head Trail starts on the road between New Discovery State Park and the Osmore Pond scenic area. A second parking area can be found a short ways from the summit of Owl's Head at the end of Lanesboro Road. Both the New Discovery State Park road and Lanesboro Road depart VT-232 traveling east. Lanesboro Road intersects VT-232 5.5 miles south of US-2 in Marshfield and 8 miles north of US-302 in Groton. New Discovery State Park is located 4.3 miles south of US-2 in Marshfield and 9.2 miles north of US-302 in Groton.

In the winter, park at the Northern Parking Area on the west side of VT-232. Follow the Owl's Head signs and hike along the snowmobile trail to the turn off, cross the road and then meet up with the Owl's head hiking trail.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
arasvt
May 29, 2023
Nice hike yesterday, beautiful day. (May28, ‘23)
However, it sort of started off on the wrong foot.
We were a group of 6, all Senior Citizens, 4 from VT, 2 from NH, 1 US Veteran (NH resident)…
When we got to the booth, and told the attendant how many ppl etc, she said we owed $30…$5.00 per person. We said 1 was a Veteran, she asked where from? We told her NH, she said well not a VT resident… so had to pay the $5.00…
We are stunned, a Veteran is a Veteran of the USA, not any particular State. PLUS it is Memorial Day weekend… I mean REALLY?
It’s not about the money, it’s the policy that you can only get in free IF you are a VT Veteran.
Wow, thank you for your service!
cindyg54
January 01, 2021
I forgot to mention, due to the parking for winter seasons, when hiking from the New Discovery area, the mileage was 2.2 mi. one way.
cindyg54
January 01, 2021
From the New Discovery Area, parked at the maintenance garage gate just down the road and walked to the maintenance buildings. In the winter the gate is closed. You can also park in the large parking area across the road from that. Trail isn’t well marked from there. Go straight in the road from the gate, straight by the last building on the right, called The Blacksmith Shed, and the Owl’s Head trail sign is just beyond the shed on the right - but the sign is only visible from the opposite direction.
krista
August 26, 2018
It was a very nice Hike hard for me but nice to reach the top
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Trail Alerts

Trails
Hiking Mud Season
March 20, 2024 – May 24, 2024

It is mud season in Vermont. Even if a trail is marked as open, pay attention to trail conditions. If you encounter mud or ice, turn around. Come back once the trail has had time to dry out.  

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