Do not forget The Nature Center! It is staffed by full time Naturalists, Lisa, who conducts a series of excellent programs throughout the summer. The Nature Center and their programs are open to the general public free of charge, and we are fortunate to have such a resource within Groton State Forest.

The programs are listed on this web site as well as at the Nature Center, at the Forest Country Store, at all campgrounds, and at the Forest Store. Programs are conducted between the last week in June through Labor Day weekend. (During September the naturalists give programs to local schools.)

Also of interest are the free brochures and maps at the Nature Center relating to the Lake and State Forest. These include Forest Trail maps, a self guided tour of the Nature Trail, and “Groton State Forest History Guide” which is essentially a short history of the lake.

The Center itself is a natural history museum for Lake Groton, containing displays about our geology, historical pictures as well as a collection of stuffed birds and animals. There are also displays on the Peacham Bog, Amphibians and Reptiles, Ferns, the Logging Era, Animal Facts, and Bears. In addition to the displays, books and magazines, the naturalists are in residence when they are not conducting programs. They usually know what is going on with the local bears, porcupines, loons, pileated woodpeckers and interrupted ferns.

The Center is currently closed after the summer season.