Lodge to Lake and Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

This route combines several trails to get views of the woods, creeks, river, lake, and several interesting rock outcroppings as well as views of the dam. There are a couple of steep or long hills but the trail is overall well-marked and easy to follow.

The camp store has cold beverages and snacks for sale. Bathrooms are located at the lodge. There are Port-a-Johns at the camp grounds and at the dam parking lot.

Beginning at the lodge, take the unnamed trail indicated by the "trail" sign and follow the orange blazes through the woods. At the fork, head right to go towards the campgrounds (not the road). You'll see the road below you through the woods as you cross several small bridges. Descend down to the campgrounds, still following the orange blazes.

Stop by the pond to see a display of historic photos, then proceed to the Hibbs Cemetery Trail with some rock outcroppings uphill and a bridge across the creek. You'll follow the river upriver for a while, going through a small grassy area, but mostly with good views of the river below you. There are a few access points down to the river, where we enjoyed dipping our toes in. You'll come out to the road to the dam.

Follow the road left past the horse watering trough and Port-a-John to the Barton's Lake Trail sign. Follow the light blue blazes through the woods, up some hills and past some very neat rocks and a surprising number of small pine tress. You'll continue to climb a bit, and will come to a fork - head right following the light blue blazes through the woods, past many ferns and small creeks, heading gradually uphill. You'll come out to a large grassy area with wildflowers with a good view of the lake before heading downhill to the lake.

Follow the Fisherman's Trail to the left to run along the lake back to the dam and then head up the long hill, following the dark blue blazes. At the top of the hill, you intersect with Barton's Lake Trail; stay right to take a different path down to the dam parking lot, then run along the base of the dam and follow the river. We took the spur to Castle Rock, which was totally worth it, even though it is a there-and-back spur. The spur trail follows the ridge, mostly on rocks, to a large boxy "castle" rock. Head back to the main trail the way you came and continue on to the right, where you get another view of Castle Rock as you follow the river.

The trail comes to a grassy area that is a little confusing but follow the yellow blazes left. After you cross the creek, head left again at the sign for the Overlook trail with red blazes. Uphill on the right you'll see a giant rock formation and you'll swing back around while climbing a hill, to run along the very base of those rocks. There was a nice cool breeze coming from a crevice in those rocks. From there you'll run along the top of the ridge with views down to the creek and will come out to the road which you follow down to the camp grounds, taking the trail just behind the camp store to the lodge.

We saw deer, wildflowers, a crayfish in the river, and many different kinds of trees. Geese are common near the dam parking lot.