The H. Laurence Achilles Natural Area at Shelburne Pond consists of over one thousand acres of upland and wetlands in the town of Shelburne. It is located along the shores of Shelburne Pond, the largest undeveloped body of water in the Champlain Valley. The walking trails at Shelburne Pond run through a forest with rich, calcareous soils and are home to a variety of trees such as sugar maple, ash, hemlock, and others. White cedar trees inhabit the rocky shoreline and many types of ferns are known to exist here. Numerous rocky outcrops along the trail make Shelburne Pond a popular location for fishing.

Please park away from the shore in the designated parking area. The trailhead is located to the left of the boat launch.

Shelburne Pond is a surprising find. Located just 10 miles from the city of Burlington, it is an area that has retained its wild and rich character despite the pressures of development. There are over 400 acres of swamps, marshes, and rich woods associated with the pond. These habitats support several unusual plants, especially ephemeral spring wildflowers, and birds.

The pond also serves as an important educational resource for the University of Vermont. Now largely owned and maintained by the University of Vermont (UVM), the H. Laurence Achilles Natural Area at Shelburne Pond—named for the Kodak heir and philanthropist who supported TNC’s earliest acquisitions there — is a place where conservation, recreation, and research peacefully coexist.

Over 30 years in the making, the natural area at Shelburne Pond is one of the oldest and longest-running protection projects of the Vermont chapter and a successful collaboration between TNC and UVM.

There is an easy-to-hike, one-mile trail loop maintained by the University of Vermont. Visitors can also explore the shoreline of Shelburne Pond in a canoe or kayak. The state-owned fishing access to the pond is located about one mile east of the intersection of Pond Road and Dorset Street about six miles south of Burlington.

From Route 7 in Shelburne Village, take Falls Road south to the intersection with Marsett Road. Turn left to stay on Falls Road which becomes Irish Hill Road. At the intersection of Irish Hill Road and Dorset Street, continue straight onto Pond Road. Pond Access Road will be on your left. Continue on Pond Access Road until you reach the Vermont Fish and Wildlife fishing access area.

Shelburne Pond (452 acres) is a site for the Vermont LoonWatch annual survey. Birders are encouraged to volunteer as often and whenever they are able. See Join LoonWatch for details.

The TrailFinder website has a description and map of a hike at Shelburne Pond.