Hapgood Pond

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. The pond is a popular place for non-motorized boating, with a carry-down launch area at the south end. Hapgood boasts the Forest's only designated and managed swim beach, and 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, with a short spur trail that follows a stream and winds through the woods. Younger visitors love the big play field area, a perfect spot for Frisbee or ball games. The 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. Each of the two group picnic shelters can accommodate up to 35 people and is equipped with a pavilion, picnic tables and a grill. Hapgood Pond Recreation Area is eight acres, 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. The pond covers another 12 acres. The forest includes three nationally designated trails, the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail and the Robert Frost National Recreation Trail, along with three alpine ski areas, seven Nordic ski areas, and approximately 900 miles of multiple-use trails. The town of Manchester, popular for its shops, restaurants and other attractions including the American Museum of Fly Fishing, is a short drive away.