Grout Pond

Winter Parking:

Winter Parking: Approximately one-mile after turning off of Stratton-Arlington Road onto Grout Pond Road, the snow plow turns around to avoid a relatively steep downhill. Hut guests may park where the plow stops plowing Grout Pond Road at 955 Grout Pond Road. Proceed down the unplowed hill on Pond Loop toward Grout Pond. As you approach where the summer parking lot would be slightly farther on your left continue right down toward the boat launch. You will pass by picnic sites on your right and the boat launch down to the pond. Continue straight and to the left until you see the sign “No Bikes on Grout Pond Trails” you are now on Pond Loop. Continue on Pond Loop. You will pass the Catamount Trail North/East Trail turn off on the left. Continue on the CT/Pond Loop until you see the sign for Camp Trail on your left. Take Camp Trail to the hut. You will see the privy on your right before you come to the trail for the hut on your left.

Alternatively, guests may park at the winter parking lot located directly across from where Grout Pond Road intersects with Stratton-Arlington Road. Guests should add another mile to their approach to the hut from this location, for a total of 2.1 miles.

Summer Parking: Guests may park in the lower Grout Pond parking lot, located at the very end of Grout Pond Road. From this parking location, it is approximately 1-mile to the Grout Pond Hut via Camp Loop Trail.

Access by boat: There is no direct access to the hut from the waterfront. If you wish, campsite #10 can be booked via the Recreation.gov website to gain waterfront access.

There are a number of activities right outside the door of Grout Pond Hut! During winter months, guests will experience complete backcountry solitude with immediate access to the Catamount Trail, Vermont’s 300-mile ski trail from Canada to Massachusetts. If you’re looking to stay closer to the hut, you can explore the surrounding trail network on your backcountry skis or snowshoes.

Summer hiking opportunities surround you at Grout Pond Hut. With a magical body of water just a few minutes down the trail, it’s the perfect place to escape the dog days of summer. Check out this interactive map on Trail Finder for a glimpse of what awaits you. The hike in from the parking lot is mostly flat, so paddlers with lightweight vessels may find Grout Pond Hut to be well worth the portage.

We will be updating this page with additional maps and resources in the near future.

Check-in/Out Times: Check-in anytime after 2:00 PM on your arrival date. Check-out no later than 12:00 PM on your departure date. 

Hut Security Code: You will receive a separate email with the hut’s access code when you book your reservation.

Heat: The hut is heated with a propane stove. Please reference the operating instructions in hut.

Lights: The hut has a small solar system, though snowy months may not provide enough energy to power the system. Please bring a headlamp or battery-powered lantern as backup. No gas-powered lanterns. 

Cooking: For your convenience, the hut is outfitted with a propane cookstove. There is no need to bring your own cooking device. Pots, pans, utensils, and other dishware for up to 10 people are also provided.

Trash: Guests are expected to leave no trace in the hut and pack out all food and trash. Leave the cabin nicer than you found it!

Sleeping: The hut sleeps 10 guests, and there are mattresses provided on each bunk. There is no need to bring a camping pad, though you should bring your sleeping bag or blanket(s). There are no linens provided. The hut has six twin beds and two double beds. Upstairs, there are two small rooms, each with a double bed and twin bed, for a capacity of three guests in each upstairs bedroom. In the common area upstairs, there are two twin beds. The final two twin beds are located on the first level.

Water: There is no potable water supply. However, guests may filter/treat water from Grout Pond during summer months. During winter months when the pond is frozen, please follow these helpful tips:

At the shoreline, break the ice with your boot, hammer or the back of your hatchet until you make a hole that’s about a foot in diameter.  Remove any large chunks of ice or pieces of debris before letting the sediment settle.  It can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes for the water to clear, so it’s important to be patient.  Once the sediment has settled, all you need to do is carefully put your kettle, pot or container into the water and fill it up. You can also filter directly from the pond if you have a pump filter.

There may still be some small bits of debris in the water, so consider filtering it through some fabric before boiling it for 10 minutes.  Finally, try to find a spot that is around 8-12 inches deep when possible in order to minimize the chances of disturbing the sediment as you scoop out the water.

A small hammer/hatchet will be in the hut to break through ice on the shoreline during winter months. A vicinity map will be provided with directions to the easiest point of access to the pond.

Fires: Firest are only permitted in the fire ring to help minimize the impact on the environment. Please help us to recreate responsibly in this shared resource!

Toilet: Guests may use the moldering privy located near the hut (see vicinity map).

Phone: There is no phone on site, and cell coverage (Verizon) is spotty to non-existent, though AT&T service has decent reception.

Cancellations: Reservations canceled 15 days or more in advance will receive a 50% refund. Reservations canceled 14 days or less in advance are non-refundable.

Pets: We love animals. We really do. However, pets aren’t allowed inside Grout Pond Hut out of respect for those with pet allergies. After all, no one can control what causes their allergies, but we can usually find friends/family/neighbors to watch our pets.

*Failure to comply with these policies may result in additional charges to your reservation.

Should you have any questions about your stay, please contact the Vermont Huts Association office at 802-798-3003.