Stoughton Pond Recreation Area
Perkinsville, Vermont · on North Branch Black River
Verified · 5 independent sources
- WATER
- pond
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Stoughton Pond Recreation Area
Stoughton Pond Recreation Area is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day-use site on Stoughton Pond, a small impoundment on the North Branch of the Black River near Perkinsville, Vermont, built as part of the North Springfield Lake flood-control project. It has an official, designated swim beach, a dependable swimming hole backed by picnicking, fishing, and small-boat launching facilities.
The recreation area sits on Stoughton Pond amid the rolling hills of Windsor County, Vermont, reached via Stoughton Pond Road off VT Route 106. The pond is a flood-control impoundment on the North Branch Black River, with an interpretive trail running along its shoreline.
Swimming at Stoughton Pond Recreation Area
The site has a designated, roped swim beach that is sandy and shallow, described as family-friendly and suited to swimmers of varying abilities. There is no lifeguard on duty, so supervision is on visitors themselves.
How to get to this swimming hole
From I-91 Exit 8, take VT Route 131 west approximately 6.8 miles, then turn south onto VT Route 106 for 1.8 miles, then left onto Stoughton Pond Road to reach the recreation area.
Parking: A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parking lot serves the beach; it is described as large but fills on hot summer weekends, with a short walk from the lot to the beach.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up day-use beach; parking is directly adjacent, with only a couple of minutes' flat walk from the lot to the swim beach. A separate interpretive trail winds along the pond shoreline for those who want to walk further, but it is not required to reach the swimming area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Shallow, sandy-bottom, roped swim area is well-suited to kids and casual swimmers, but there is no lifeguard on duty, so adult supervision is required.
Parking
Lot
Large U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lot serving the beach; described as filling up on hot summer weekends with only a couple-minute walk to the beach. The Corps' project page notes 'fees may apply for some facilities' at the broader North Springfield Lake project but does not specify a fee for this parking lot, so paid status is left unconfirmed.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and a change house on site per Recreation.gov and the Army Corps' Corps Lakes Gateway page; one aggregator (lower confidence) describes them as portable toilets instead.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
Described as generally clear in dry conditions, but as a pond fed by the North Branch Black River it can turn cloudy after runoff, and warm-weather cyanobacteria (algae) blooms are possible, which can trigger swim advisories.
Hours
No official hours are posted on Recreation.gov or the Corps Lakes Gateway page. One aggregator (lower confidence, not confirmed by an official source) states the beach gate is open Friday-Monday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and closed Tuesday-Thursday.
On the water
Restrictions: Boat ramp restricted to canoes and small flat-bottomed boats only; 5-mph speed limit on the pond. No motorboats or personal watercraft (jet skis) permitted.
The Corps' own project listing and the Town of Weathersfield site both confirm the canoe/small-boat-only rule and speed limit; no evidence found of a marina, dock rental counter, or paddlecraft check-out at the site itself.
What regulars say
Visitors describe the lot filling on hot summer weekends and reiterate there is no lifeguard, so plan for busy conditions on summer weekends and supervise children yourself.
Backstory
Built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the North Springfield Lake flood-control project on the Black River watershed.
Stoughton Pond Recreation Area: FAQ
Is Stoughton Pond Recreation Area kid friendly?
Shallow, sandy-bottom, roped swim area is well-suited to kids and casual swimmers, but there is no lifeguard on duty, so adult supervision is required.
Do I need to hike to reach Stoughton Pond Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Stoughton Pond Recreation Area?
Large U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lot serving the beach; described as filling up on hot summer weekends with only a couple-minute walk to the beach. The Corps' project page notes 'fees may apply for some facilities' at the broader North Springfield Lake project but does not specify a fee for this parking lot, so paid status is left unconfirmed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Stoughton Pond Recreation Area?
The Corps' own project listing and the Town of Weathersfield site both confirm the canoe/small-boat-only rule and speed limit; no evidence found of a marina, dock rental counter, or paddlecraft check-out at the site itself.
When is the best time to visit Stoughton Pond Recreation Area?
Summer, when the beach and swim area are open and staffed with ranger-led nature programs.
What are the rules at Stoughton Pond Recreation Area?
Managed as a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day-use area (no overnight camping reservations via Recreation.gov). Boat ramp restricted to canoes and small flat-bottomed boats, with a 5-mph speed limit on the pond. One source (aggregator, not confirmed by official pages) states the beach gate is open Friday-Monday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and closed Tuesday-Thursday, and that dogs are allowed on leash.
What water body is Stoughton Pond Recreation Area on?
Stoughton Pond Recreation Area is on North Branch Black River, a natural pond verified in USGS hydrography data.
