Mud Pond Conservation Area consists of 141 acres of land that includes a peat bog pond and surrounding upland forests. The land was transferred to the Town from The Nature Conservancy and the Yandell family in 1990 and has become one of the most popular destinations for nature-loving Williston residents.

Mud Pond, with an average depth of fewer than 10 feet, has characteristics of both a bog and a fen—acidic and neutral water chemistry and is one of only two examples of this type of pond in the state of Vermont.

The pond is ringed with a floating mat of sphagnum moss and supports many species of sensitive bog plants. If you are lucky, you may see one of the many wild creatures using the pond area, from the rare four-toed salamander to red fox or the occasional moose.

There is a short hike along a marked primitive path that will take you from the parking area out to Mud Pond and the observation platform. The platform marks the end of the trail. Just recently, a trail connecting the Oak Hill Road side of Mud Pond to Five Tree Hill was cut.

Please stay on the platforms while enjoying the view of the pond, the bog plants are very sensitive to being crushed underfoot.

The TrailFinder website has a description and map of a hike at Mud Pond Conservation Area.