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Wells River Conservation Area
Newbury, Vermont
Rocky river pools. Dedicated parking lot. Near Newbury.
At a glance
Overview
Rocky river pools. Plan for about Five to ten minutes from the conservation-area pull-off along a short bank path to the Wells River. (0.25 mi one way if you hike the full approach). Water use is often conditional on flow, staffing, and season—double-check before you suit up.
- County
- Orange County
- Region
- Upper Connecticut Valley
- Water type
- River pool
Know before you go
Public
Not wheelchair accessible
Conditions
Conditions snapshot
Check posted signs and official updates before entering.
Getting there
The Wells River Conservation Area is a Vermont River Conservancy-affiliated conserved shoreline on the Wells River in Newbury, Orange County. The site preserves foot access to a stretch of river shoreline for fishing, paddling access, and informal swimming; it is not a developed beach and has no lifeguard. Expect a small allowed pull-off, a short bank path along the conservation markers, and a river edge with a mix of rocky shallows and deeper pockets. The Wells River here runs cold and clear most of the summer and reacts quickly to upstream rain -- Groton State Forest drains through this watershed, so storms in Groton show up downstream within hours. Respect adjacent private land, stay on the conservation-area path, and check for posted notices. For a developed Orange County day out, North Hartland Lake USACE beach to the south and Union Village Dam in Thetford (Fri-Sun and Holiday Mondays only) are stronger picks.
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