Recreation

Grafton offers wide range of recreational activities ranging from simple relaxation, like "porch rocking" and watching the world pass by to actively enjoying the outdoors, like downhill mountain biking.

Grafton Ponds Nordic Ski and Mountain Bike Center is a year-round recreation center located in Grafton. In the summer, Grafton Ponds offers nearly 2,000 acres of mountain biking and hiking trails (including equipment rentals and lessons), canoeing, kayaking and a popular kids camp program for children age five to 16 years.  In the Winter, Grafton Ponds bosts 30k of groomed Nordic ski trails and another 30k of backcountry trails, 15k of snowshoeing trails, a 600-foot tubing hill, pond ice skating and "snow mountain" play area for kids. Grafton Ponds, which is part of The Old Tavern at Grafton, is host to numerous seasonal events as well.

The Windham Foundation also provides two tennis courts on Pleasant Street for warm weather use and a raised platform heated tennis court for colder and inclement weather. These courts can be reserved through the Old Tavern at Grafton. The fast flowing streams in Vermont provide great fishing opportunities and our lakes will keep any canoe enthusiast very busy. Several times throughout the year, nearby dams increase their flows to provide great white water kayak and rafting challenges. One can contact the Grafton Information Center at 802-843-1440 for additional information. Also check for concert or local event information on the News page of this web site.

Both the casual and serious golfer will appreciate the wide variety of affordable challenges nearby courses offer. The views of the Vermont mountains are as exciting as the play itself. Horse lovers will enjoy the many trails and quiet roads available. And yes, recreation for some is the trip to the nearest antique or gift shop. Grafton offers a unique choice of items for the discriminating shopper.

Grafton Blacksmith Shop

The Grafton Blacksmith Shop allows visitors to step back in time to when the blacksmith was one of the most important craftsmen in the community. A large collection of antique wrought iron work and tools are on display. The shop also has items for purchase including fireplace tools, lighting and more. Custom orders are welcome. Hours of operation: Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 am - 5 pm, with Demonstrations from 11 am - 12 pm and 1 - 2 pm. Located on School Street, the shop is typically open from Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend.

More on Grafton

For more information on recreation in the area, please visit the Grafton Promotional Association website at www.graftonvermont.org.

In Brattleboro: The Retreat Trails

If you have the chance to visit nearby Brattleboro, please visit the Retreat Trails, a nine mile recreational trail network that is owned and maintained by the Windham Foundation and Brattleboro Retreat.

Download: Retreat Trails Map - Retreat Trails Rules/Guide

Trails are open year-round for walkers, hikers, bikers, equestrians, nordic skiers and snowshoers. Pets are welcome on leashes. No motorized vehicles. Please pack out what you bring in. Kiosks representing public trail entry points are located at the following sites:

• Retreat Farm: in the main farm compound behind the farm house
• Cedar Street: across from the Harris Hill Ski Jump
• Solar Hill: off Western Avenue, behind Solar Hill Yoga and adjacent to the Neighborhood School House
• Upper Dummerston Road: before the I-91 overpass
• Retreat Meadows Boat Launch: across from the Retreat Farm, on Linden Street

Trails were originally created by the Brattleboro Retreat in the 1800s and have been used by the Brattleboro community for years. In the past two years, the Foundation and Brattleboro Retreat worked with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) to revitalize the trails to make them more environmentally sound and easier to follow. We hope you enjoy them.

Other places to find trail maps:

• Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce, Main Street
• Guilford Welcome Center (off I-91 heading North into Vt.)
• Brattleboro Parks & Recreation Department, Main Street
• Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street
• Burrows Specialized Sports, 105 Main Street
• Brattleboro Town Office
• Grafton Village Cheese Co., Linden Street (coming soon)