A portion of the property is hayed field, with public access on a series of paths to the river. The riverbank is lined with mature floodplain trees that provide summer shade for visitors and also help decrease erosion into Saxtons River. Thanks to the public access easement, visitors can enjoy this scenic section of river, where they’ll find bedrock ledges and outcrops, shallow pools and cascades, cobble shores, and small areas of shaded sandy beaches. A gravel driveway and ample parking, and a series of trails provide easy access to the parcel and shore.
In addition to public river access, this 12.5-acre area is important flood protection. It’s one of the largest undeveloped, low-elevation areas along Saxtons River, and it’s immediately upstream from the village of Saxtons River. For all these reasons, Vermont River Conservancy worked with the landowners to add a conservation easement to make sure the land would never be developed, make sure trees and shrubs would be allowed to grow up along the riverbank, and to make sure this piece of land could always do its part to keep people safe downstream.
From the South: Take I-91 N to Putney. Follow Route 5 South into Putney and turn left on Kimball Hill. Continue straight on Westminster Road to Rockingham for about 12 miles. Take a left onto Main St. Take a slight left onto Saxtons River Rd and park in the pull off on the left. Follow the path around the field and down to the river. From the North: Take I-91 S to Rockingham. Take exit 6 and follow signs for 103 N/Rockingham Rd., turning left left onto Vermont 103/Rockingham Rd. Continue for 1.1 miles. Turn left onto Meeting House Rd., drive 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Rockingham Hill Rd. and drive for 3.2 miles, then continue straight onto Pleasant St. another 0.4 miles. Turn right on Main St./Saxtons River Road and drive 0.2 miles, then take a slight left onto Westminster St./Saxtons River Rd. Drive 0.6 miles to parking area pull off on the left. Follow the path around the field and down to the river.
