Hapgood Pond

Summary

Hapgood Pond Recreation Area and Campground is a popular outdoor destination located 13 miles east of Manchester, Vermont. Guests can enjoy activities such as kayaking, fishing, swimming, and hiking. Facilities include family campsites, day-use picnic shelters, vault toilets and drinking water. The Green Mountain National Forest provides access to scenic trails, alpine ski areas and Nordic ski areas.

Overview

Hapgood Pond Recreation Area and Campground is situated next to its scenic namesake pond, 13 miles east of Manchester, Vermont. Visitors enjoy camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and hiking.

Recreation

The Hapgood Pond is a popular place for non-motorized boating, including canoeing and kayaking. A carry-down launch area is located on the south end of the pond. Fishing and swimming are also favorite activities. Hapgood boasts the Forest's only designated and managed swim beach. A fishing pier is located on the south shore. Hapgood Pond Trail begins in the day-use area and continues almost a mile around the north edge of the pond to the dam. A short spur trail follows a stream and winds through the woods around the pond. Younger visitors love the big play field area within Hapgood, a perfect spot for Frisbee or ball games.

Facilities

Hapgood Pond Recreation Area offers family campsites and day-use picnic shelters for groups. First come, first served sites are available. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Each family campsite is equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring with grill, parking spur, and a cleared area for a tent. Campsites 9-28 are reservable. Each group picnic shelter can accommodate up to 35 people, and is equipped with a pavilion, picnic tables, and a grill. The two shelters are available for reservations.

Natural Features

Hapgood Pond Recreation Area is eight acres and is set in a wooded area in the northeastern portion of the Green Mountain National Forest, which encompasses over 400,000 acres in southwestern and central Vermont. Hapgood Pond covers another 12 acres which is perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. The Green Mountain National Forests includes three nationally designated trails: the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, and the Robert Frost National Recreation Trail. The Forest also contains three alpine ski areas, seven Nordic ski areas, and approximately 900 miles of multiple-use trails.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Manchester, Vermont, popular for its shops, restaurants, and other attractions, including the American Museum of Fly Fishing, is a short drive away.