Above All State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area located in the town of Warren, Connecticut. Remnants of a Cold War-era military radar installation may be seen. The only park amenities ar
Though the rails are long gone, this rail bed once offered fashionable, rapid transit from New York to Boston. Those who travel the corridor today witness the same inspiring panoramas and absorb the s
Algonquin State Forest is a Connecticut state forest located in the towns of Colebrook and Winchester. The forest is managed for wildlife habitat and passive recreational activities.
American Legion
Located in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted, the initial 213 acres of this forest were a gift from the American Legion in 1927 to provide citizens an example of proper forest
Auerfarm State Park Scenic Reserve, a 40 acre parcel in Bloomfield, was donated to the state park system and will forever be linked to the legacy of Beatrice Fox Auerbach (1887-1968), a Hartford phila
Becket Hill State Park Reserve is a public recreation area lying adjacent to Nehantic State Forest in the town of Lyme, Connecticut. The state park is as an undeveloped, walk-in park totaling 260 acre
The Beckley Iron Furnace once produced iron for the manufacture of railroad car wheels. It is Connecticut's best preserved example of a technology that has long since vanished. The structure is part
Bennett's Pond State Park was once the home of Louis D. Conley, a successful manufacturer and nursery man, whose estate of more than 1,500 acres was one of the largest in Ridgefield. Today the park’s
Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails, the 18 acre Bigelow Pond, and 300 acre Mashapaug P
Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Highlands.
Tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Hi
Bluff Point Coastal Reserve offers the visitor a delightful mixture of wooded hiking and biking trails coupled with spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound.
Bolton Notch State Park is a public recreation area located in the town of Bolton, Connecticut, on the boundary between the Thames River and Connecticut River watersheds. The state park's 95 acres off
Brainard Homestead State Park, and alternatively Brainerd Homestead State Park, is a 25-acre undeveloped state park located in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut, United States. A farmhouse was buil
Go swimming and have a picnic at Burr Pond, then hike the trails and learn about the history of Borden's Condensed Milk.
Gail Borden, discoverer of the process of milk preservation by evaporation and
Change has been the constant throughout the 100 year history of this piece of countryside. Where once a shared landscape of farmland and woodland dominated, a campus of higher education overtook them
Campbell Falls State Park Reserve was a gift to the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from the White Memorial Foundation of Litchfield Connecticut. The Whiting River, rising i
The 15,300 acres of Centennial Watershed State Forest offer diverse opportunities for hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and birding.
In 2002, the State, in partnership with The Natur
Chatfield Hollow Brook flows toward Long Island Sound between two high ridges covered with oak, beech, and hickory. In 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps built an earth and stone dam across the bro
Cockaponset, named after an Indian chief who's buried in the Ponset section of Haddam, is the second largest state forest in Connecticut. The development of this area for recreational purposes allows
Collis P. Huntington State Park was primarily in agricultural use until the Luttgen family acquired the land in the late 1800's and developed the present service roads, trails, and artificial ponds. R
The Valley Railroad Company leases the linear state park from the State of Connecticut and offers the visitor a 19th century railroad experience including an 1892 rail road station, steam locomotives,
Dart Island State Park is a public recreation area comprising an undeveloped 19-acre sandbar island in the Connecticut River that is only accessible by boat.
Visitors to Day Pond State Park will find the stone foundation reminders of the colonial era when water from the pond powered the nearby sawmill. Now stocked with trout, Day Pond is an attractive area
Hike to the summit of this 240-acre estate for panoramic views. Fall foliage season makes Dennis Hill an autumn wonderland.
Dennis Hill, a 240-acre estate, was gifted to the State of Connecticut in 1
Could the round holes in the falls really be the work of the devil? Or, just nature and water making their mark for future generations? Visit Devil's Hopyard and find your own answer to this age-old
If you like dinosaurs, you'll love our 200 million-year-old fossil trackway, interactive exhibits and the chance to cast your own dinosaur footprint to take home.
The Connecticut Valley has a long hi
Eagle Landing State Park is appropriately named for its favorite visitors. As one of CT’s newest state parks, this location features 16 acres of Connecticut River frontage and a dock which hosts sceni
Enders State Forest lies northwest of Hartford, predominantly in the town of Granby, sharing some of its diverse forests, wetlands and waterfalls with the town of Barkhamsted to the west. It is part o
Farm River State Park may not rank high on the list of parks by size but it is well placed when ranked by location. Taking its headwaters to the northeast, the Farm River flows 16.5 miles on its way
The Farmington Canal State Park Trail in Cheshire and Hamden forms a portion of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail which traverses Connecticut, north to south, from Suffield to New Haven. The State P
Add a touch of reality to your Revolutionary War history lesson with a visit to Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, site of the 1781 massacre led by the traitorous Benedict Arnold.
This is the hist
Get an interactive history lesson at the visitor's center, or just walk the Fort and ramparts for a view of the Thames River, a visit to Fort Trumbull has something for everyone including a boardwalk
Gardner Lake State Park is one of Connecticut’s small but important park locations in the southeastern part of the state. At only nine and three quarter acres, this park principally provides boating a
Gay City State Park offers a glimpse into Connecticut's industrial roots with over 1500 acres of endless opportunities for outdoor fun including the exploration of extinct mill-town ruins and stone fo
Immerse yourself in George Dudley Seymour’s personal dream of large scale land protection. Mr. Seymour and his foundation contributed to the protection of eight state parks and one state forest. This
George Waldo State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area on the eastern shore of Lake Lillinonah in the town of Southbury, Connecticut. Park activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseba
It looks like a medieval fortress, but a step inside the stone castle reveals the built-in couches, table trackway, and woodcarvings that all point to the creative genius that was William Gillette.
In the Connecticut River at Haddam; Access to this park is by water only.
Haddam Island State Park is an undeveloped 14-acre island in the lower Connecticut River in the town of Haddam, Connecticut
Haddam Meadows State Park overlooks the scenic Connecticut River and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and picnicking.
In colonial times the broad floodplain that is now Haddam Meadows State
The park has been preserved as open space and is used for passive recreational purposes. A 0.8 mile bike trail winds its way through the scenic old shoreline farm. The Haley Farm Bike Trail, which i
A visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park, is more than just another day at the beach. Connecticut's largest shoreline park offers over 2 miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk
Enjoy the panoramic views of Long Island Sound from Eolia, the elegant summer mansion of the Harkness family set on over 230 seaside acres of sweeping lawns, with stately trees and spectacular gardens
Travel the twisting mountain road or hike the rugged trail to the top, either way you will be astounded at the beauty of mountain laurel in June and the spectacular colors of foliage in the fall.
The
Higganum Reservoir State Park is a public recreation area occupying 147 acres on the banks of Higganum Reservoir in the town of Haddam, Connecticut. The state park offers fishing, hiking, hunting, and
This former railroad line is now a trail that winds 20.2 miles through the towns of Manchester, Vernon, Bolton, Coventry, Andover, and Columbia. Like a pathway through time, this serpentine path pass
Hopemead State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area on the eastern shore of Gardner Lake, 8 miles west of Norwich, Connecticut. The state park covers 60 acres in the towns of Bozrah and Montv
Visitors can fish, swim or camp on the serene shores of Hopeville Pond. The site, which once boasted several successful mill operations, offers a fine mix of quality recreation and local history.
The
Horse Guard State Park is a public recreation area covering 105 acres in the town of Avon, Connecticut. The state park is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Camping under the tall pines on the riverbank at Housatonic Meadows evokes a genuine back-to-nature feeling. The clear, cold river water also provides a fine opportunity for fly fishermen to test the
Humaston Brook State Park is an under-developed day use state park located in the village of Northfield, Connecticut. It preserves a stretch of Humaston Brook, a tributary of the Naugatuck River. Its
Visit Hurd State Park and enjoy scenic views of the Connecticut River while surrounded by nature.
In 1914, only one year after the establishment of a State Park Commission, the state purchased 150 ac
The park's scenic waterfall and brook give this park its name, Indian Well. The lovely falls, and shaded picnic grove at the water's edge make this park a great place to spend a lazy summer day.
Indi
Covering more than three square miles the James L. Goodwin State Forest offers recreation for every season of the year. An extensive variety of trails, including a equestrian trail and the miles-long
Summertime fishing or wintertime cross-country skiing make John A. Minetto State Park a four season fun spot.
This Park was once the location of the first house constructed in the Town of Winchester.
Wander across the covered bridge, hike the falls, and feel the mist on your face as water cascades 250' down on its way to joining the Housatonic River.
Kent Falls, located in the northeastern sectio
A wonderful campground, shaded picnic area, and views of beautiful Lake Zoar on the Housatonic River make Kettletown State Park a popular recreation destination.
Kettletown State Park, situated in th
Killingly Pond State Park is a public recreation area encompassing 162 acres in the town of Killingly, Connecticut. The state park sits on the western side of Killingly Pond, a 122-acre body of water
Scenically, few bodies of water in Connecticut can rival the picturesque setting of Lake Waramaug. When vivid fall foliage is mirrored in the unrippled lake surface, the park becomes a mecca for sigh
Lamentation Mountain State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area covering 47 acres in the town of Berlin, Connecticut. It entered the roll of state parks in the 1936 edition of the Connecticut
Stretching across four towns, this long and narrow state park trail combines enough remarkable history, geography and aesthetics to rate its 110 acres as one of the biggest and prettiest parks in Conn
Lovers Leap is a walk-in park with hiking trails, scenic vistas and historic ruins. The 160 acre park is pided into three sections, each featuring a different appreciation for the park history.
Trail
Hike the Blue Trail across Cobble Mountain and other peaks for outstanding views of the Catskill and Taconic mountains which offer splendid foliage viewing.
The 2,300-acre Macedonia Brook State Park,
Machimoodus State Park is noteworthy for its 300 acres of uplands, woodlands, meadows, river and cove waterfronts, hiking trails, bird watching and scenic vistas.
Machimoodus’s 300 acres are testamen
Enjoy an afternoon of fishing in Mansfield Hollow Lake or take in the water views from one of several trails in the park.
The damming of the Natchaug River by the Army Corps of Engineers has created
Rich with history, legend and lore, Mashamoquet Brook with its Wolf's Den, offers hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming for the whole family.
The region was once the domain of the Mohegan Chief Unca
Massacoe State Forest consists of two separate blocks of woodland in Simsbury that combine to total 370 acres. The largest block, Great Pond, is home to the town’s biggest standing water body, while t
Mattatuck State Forest is the reality of Mr. Harley F. Roberts’ vision. Initiated with a land donation from Roberts’ Black Rock Association in 1925, Mattatuck’s many parcels are spread out over many t
The Meshomasic State Forest is located in East Hampton, Portland, and Marlborough, Connecticut, with smaller sections located in Glastonbury and Hebron. It is popular for mountain biking, hiking, and
Treetops is the former estate of torch singer and actress Libby Holman. It forms the southernmost part of Mianus River Park and is overseen by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection as
Visit a Connecticut State Park or Forest and explore the wealth of perse natural areas and unique features that will make your experience memorable.
Millers Pond was acquired in 1955 by the State Par
Minnie Island State Park is a public recreation area occupying a tiny island at the southern end of 529-acre Gardner Lake that is split by the townline between Salem and Montville, Connecticut.
View the rugged hills of this wildlife sanctuary or visit a black spruce bog to experience a unique plant community.
From 1,683 foot Mohawk Mountain, on a clear day, the view is literally “forever”.
Mohegan State Forest is a Connecticut state forest located in the towns of Scotland and Sprague. The forest is available for hiking, hunting, and letterboxing.
Mono Pond State Park Reserve is a public recreation area covering 218 acres in the town of Columbia, Connecticut, 8 miles southwest of Willimantic. The state park surrounds Mono Pond, a 113-acre body
This 5.8 mile linear trail encompasses 62 acres as it stretches across two eastern Connecticut towns. Though it passes through predominantly woodlands, the eastern section parallels the Moosup River f
Acquired by the state in 1989, this nearly 600 acre park spent its first eleven years known as Red Cedar Lake State Park. Since then, the quiet woods and modest sloping hillsides have played host to M
Mount Bushnell State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area located south of Lake Waramaug in the New England town of Washington, Connecticut. The state park provides 214 acres for hiking. The
Mount Riga State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area located in the town of Salisbury, Connecticut. The state park offers opportunities for hiking and bow hunting.
Go swimming and have a picnic at Mount Tom, then hike the trail to the stone lookout tower for some memorable views.
Mt. Tom is one of the oldest parks in the state park system; it is named for the m
Nassahegon State Forest is a Connecticut state forest occupying 1,227 acres in the town of Burlington.The forest is managed for forestry and recreational purposes and is operated by the Connecticut De
Natchaug State Forest is popular for its horse trails, outstanding fishing, and riverfront picnic sites.
The name Natchaug means "land between the rivers" and refers to the land at the junction of th
Nathan Hale State Forest is a Connecticut state forest encompassing 1,455 acres in the towns of Coventry and Andover. The forest is managed to sustain a reliable source of forest products and renewabl
Naugatuck State Forest is a Connecticut state forest consisting of five separate blocks in the towns of Oxford, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, Bethany, Cheshire, Hamden, Seymour, and Ansonia. The five block
Visit Nehantic State Forest and discover what the first forest in New London County has to offer.
Nehantic was the first state forest in New London County, and has all been purchased since 1925. Cons
Nipmuck State Forest and the adjoining Bigelow Hollow State Park offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails, and an 18-acre pond in Eastern Connecticut.
Nipmu
This 367 acre park has a storied industrial history and a present day attractiveness all its own. A three-quarter mile trail accesses a viewpoint with a ten mile view.
Colonial New England was famed
Visit Osbornedale State Park for a hike or fishing expedition, then relax with a picnic or visit the nearby Osborne Homestead Museum.
Osbornedale State Park is located in the Naugatuck Valley Hills j
Pachaug State Forest is the largest State Forest in Connecticut encompassing 26,477 acres, in 6 towns -- Voluntown, Sterling, Plainfield, Griswold, North Stonington, and Preston.
Pachaug State Forest
Paugnut State Forest’s 1,702 acres spread out over four locations in north central Torrington and abut Burr Pond and Sunny Brook state parks. The main section of Paugnut totals more than 1,200 acres a
Paugussett State Forest is a Connecticut state forest with two separate sections located on impoundments of the Housatonic River in the town of Newtown. The forest's Upper Block encompasses approximat
Penwood State Park offers almost 800 acres of four-season fun just a short drive from the Capital City.
A long wooded ridge dominates the sunset-side of the Connecticut River Valley in the vicinity
Platt Hill State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area occupying 159 acres in the town of Winchester, Connecticut. The state park has hiking trails, picnicking sites, and views of the surround
Pomeroy State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area covering 200 acres just south of Willimantic in the town of Lebanon, Connecticut. The state park is a forested area used for hiking and hunt
Create a hands-on history lesson with a visit to Putnam Memorial State Park, site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment in Redding, Connecticut.
This was the site of the Continental Army's
Quaddick State Forest is a Connecticut state forest located in the town of Thompson north of Quaddick State Park. The forest protects 466-acre Quaddick Reservoir and provides opportunities for fishing
The area which is now Quaddick State Park was once the site of Thompson's town farm where elderly residents of the village spent their reflective years. Prior to that, it had been a fishing area of t
Quinebaug Lake State Park is a public recreation area covering 181 acres in the town of Killingly, Connecticut. The state park offers opportunities for fishing and non-motorized boating on Wauregan Re
The Quinnipiac River flows 38 miles from its headwaters in Plainville to its mouth in New Haven. Nearly six of those miles and 323 acres of floodplain are protected in this park, which is an assemblag
The bluffs overlooking the Connecticut River give this park a perspective that is unique among all others in the state park system. From the vantage point 150 feet above the water the view up and down
Rocky Glen State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area covering 46 acres along the west side of the Pootatuck River in the town of Newtown, Connecticut.
The beautiful, gently sloping, soft sandy beach, picnic areas, train watching, diverse trail systems and salt marsh viewing platforms make this park ideal for families. Try crabbing or fishing. Look
Ross Pond State Park is a public recreation area covering 314 acres in the town of Killingly, Connecticut. The state park offers hiking, hunting, fishing, and a boat launch. It sits adjacent to Old Fu
Get a glimpse of earlier times as you walk through one of Connecticut's covered bridges. Enjoy a day of fishing and a picnic along the Salmon River.
The first purchase of lands which comprise the Sa
Covering 149 wooded acres in a rural setting that was once farmland, Salt Rock offers walking trails, river and fishing access in addition to its 71 tent and RV sites. Located in eastern Connecticut,
Satan's Kingdom State Recreation Area is a public recreation area occupying one-acre of land beside the Farmington River in the town of New Hartford, Connecticut. The site is located on the north side
Scantic River State Park is a public recreation area consisting of several separated parcels totaling 784 acres along the Scantic River in the towns of Enfield, East Windsor, and Somers, Connecticut.
This island park is accessible only from the water. Formerly home to a farm and a stone quarry, it was cut off from the mainland by the powerful runoff in the spring of 1854. As an island, this unique
Come see the many different habitats and excellent overlooks on the trails at Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve.
Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve was a gift to the Connecticut State Park a
Enjoy the views or step back in history at the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) museum in Shenipsit State Forest. The Forest contains 11 parcels spread over 7,000 acres in northeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut's first state park is still one of its finest. Have a leisurely lunch in the shade of the picnic grove, swim in Long Island Sound, or view marsh life from the observation platform at Sherw
Sandy beaches, boardwalks, seashells, and shore birds dominate the attraction to Silver Sands' beaches in Milford. Over a half mile of shoreline and three quarters of a mile of all-weather boardwalk
Two miles of mountaintop resembling a large man lying in repose, the "sleeping giant", is a popular feature of the south central Connecticut skyline. A 1 1/2 mile scenic trail leads to the stone obser
At the turn of the century, this was the site of the Diamond Match Company. Scenic waterfalls are at the northwest end of the Park on the Eight Mile River. The Larkin Bridle Trail is nearby. Southford
Squantz Pond offers four season enjoyment with steep, wooded slopes, a cool, blue pond and colorful foliage to delight visitors throughout the year.
Squantz Pond immerses the visitor in a "mountain l
Stillwater Pond State Park is a public recreation area covering 226 acres in the town of Torrington, Connecticut. The state park surrounds Stillwater Pond, a 100-acre impoundment on the West Branch Na
Stoddard Hill State Park is a public recreation area located on the eastern shore of the Thames River, about five miles south of Norwich, in the town of Ledyard, Connecticut. The state park covers 55
Stratton Brook offers swimming, picnicking, and interpretive programs in a beautifully wooded setting, with wheelchair accessibility.
The proximity of Stratton Brook to the Hartford metropolitan area
Sunnybrook State Park is a public recreation area encompassing 464 acres in the town of Torrington, Connecticut. The state park is the southwestern terminus for the blue-blazed John Muir Trail which c
Sunrise State Park is a public recreation area occupying the site of the former Sunrise Resort in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut. The state park encompasses 143 acres on the east shore of Salmon
The Heublein Tower awaits hikers at the top of the mountain.
The familiar Farmington River Valley landmark of Heublein Tower sits atop Talcott Mountain, a long, precipitous wooded ledge named after t
Protected in spring 2015 after many years of conservation efforts, The Preserve is a 963 acre forest located in the towns of Old Saybrook, Essex and Westbrook. It was recognized as the largest remaini
Nestled in the Litchfield Hills, Topsmead State Forest remains a precious piece of a past era with fine craftsmanship and understated wealth evident throughout the former summer estate of Miss Edith M
Tri-Mountain State Park is an isolated public recreation area located in the towns of Wallingford and Durham, Connecticut. The state park encompasses portions of Fowler Mountain and Trimountain. With
Trout Brook Valley State Park Reserve is a 300-acre parcel owned by the state of Connecticut that is part of the larger Trout Brook Valley Preserve, located in Easton, Connecticut.
Tunxis State Forest is a Connecticut state forest located in the towns of Hartland, Barkhamsted, and Granby. The forest surrounds Barkhamsted Reservoir and borders the Granville State Forest in Massac
Clarence C. Wadsworth, noted scholar and linguist, had held the rank of Colonel in the New York National Guard before marrying and settling in Middletown. There he became involved in a forty-year effo
Take in the views of New Haven Harbor and Long Island Sound from the top of West Rock.
Rising up to 627 feet above mean sea level, West Rock Ridge is one of the most prominent features of the New Hav
Located on wooded, sandy knolls, Wharton Brook offers solitude for a quiet, peaceful picnic.
In 1918-1920, this Park was known as a traveler's wayside; motorists could stop to have their cars service
Whittemore Glen State Park is an undeveloped public recreation and wilderness area for hiking and horseback riding covering 242 acres mostly within the town of Naugatuck, Connecticut. Sitting outside
The 4.5 mile Windsor Locks State Park Canal Trail follows the historic towpath of this 170 plus year old historic waterway. The canal’s many vantage points offer the trail user scenic vistas of both t
Windsor Meadows State Park is a unique and quiet refuge along the Connecticut River 3.5 river miles north of Hartford. Its main developed features are the Bissell Bridge Boat Launch and the entrance
Wooster Mountain State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area located within the city limits of Danbury, Connecticut. The state park covers 444 acres and is managed by the Connecticut Departmen
Wyantenock State Forest is a Connecticut state forest located in the towns of Warren, Kent and Cornwall. The forest consists of nine scattered parcels and was originally part of Mohawk State Forest. T
