Connecticut State Parks
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There's over 825 miles of Blue-Blazed Trails in Connecticut winding through state parks and forests, land trusts, and across private land. The Connecticut Walk Book is a comprehensive guide to these trails, including detailed, full-color maps, mileage/destination tables, and a lay-flat design for ease of use.
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Northwestern, CT
Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument
North Canaan
North Canaan
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 of the National Register of Historic Places.
Haystack Mountain State Park
Norfolk
Norfolk
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.
Stratton Brook State Park
Simsbury
Simsbury
Stratton Brook offers swimming, picnicking, and interpretive programs in a beautifully wooded setting, with wheelchair accessibility.
Talcott Mountain State Park
Simsbury
Simsbury
The Heublein Tower awaits hikers at the top of the mountain.
Penwood State Park
Bloomfield / Simsbury
Bloomfield / Simsbury
Penwood State Park offers almost 800 acres of four-season fun just a short drive from the Capital City.
NORTHEASTERN, CT
Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest
Union
Union
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 Pond in Eastern Connecticut.
Air Line State Park Trail
Portland, East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Columbia, Lebanon,
Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson
Portland, East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Columbia, Lebanon,
Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson
Stretching across eastern Connecticut from Thompson to East Hampton, this linear trail dates from the 1870s, and today draws walkers, hikers, horseback riders and bikers from across the state for the views, the relaxation and the solitude.
Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Pomfret
Pomfret
Rich with history, legend and lore, Mashamoquet Brook with its Wolf's Den, offers hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming for the whole family.
Ross Pond State Park
Killingly
Killingly
Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Climbing and more!
Mansfield Hollow State Park
Mansfield
Mansfield
Enjoy an afternoon of fishing in Mansfield Hollow Lake or take in the water views from one of several trails in the park.
Hop River State Park Trail
Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Manchester and Vernon
Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Manchester and Vernon
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 passes among modern subdivisions and crosses roads, but mostly takes the trail user along a remote, quiet and long unused path through the eastern Connecticut countryside.
Central, CT
Bolton Notch State Park
Bolton
Bolton
This Area offers Hiking, Rock Climbing and More!
Gay City State Park
Hebron
Hebron
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 foundations.
Dinosaur State Park (Closed Mondays)
Rocky Hill
Rocky Hill
Farmington Canal State Park Trail
Cheshire, Hamden
Cheshire, Hamden
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 Park Trail follows the path of the Farmington Canal which served the area from 1828 to 1847.
River Highlands State Park
Cromwell
Cromwell
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 stream is outstanding making every trip to this northern Cromwell location time well spent.
Black Rock State Park
Watertown
Watertown
Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Highlands.
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Middlefield/Middletown
Middlefield/Middletown
Enjoy hiking or biking the varied trails of the park or spend some time enjoying the beautiful falls. For a longer stay, visit the designated swimming and picnic area of the park. Please note that swimming and picnicking are prohibited at the Big Falls - it is an area intended for short visits to view the scenic falls.
Day Pond State Park
Colchester
Colchester
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 for fishermen.
Machimoodus State Park
East Haddam
East Haddam
Machimoodus State Park is noteworthy for its 300 acres of uplands, woodlands, meadows, river and cove waterfronts, hiking trails, bird watching and scenic vistas.
Gillette Castle State Park
East Haddam
East Haddam
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.
Sleeping Giant State Park
Hamden
Hamden
Two miles of mountaintop resembling a sleeping giant give this park its name, and make it a distinguishing feature on Connecticut's skyline.
Southford Falls State Park
Southbury
Southbury
Have a day of family fun at Southford Falls State Park. Spend your day enjoying field sports, or try your luck at catching trout.
Southern, CT
Bluff Point State Park
Groton
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.
Groton
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.
Haley Farm State Park
Groton
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 is wheelchair accessible, is part of a 7 1/2 mile town-owned bikeway routed from Mystic to Groton on local roadways.
Groton
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 is wheelchair accessible, is part of a 7 1/2 mile town-owned bikeway routed from Mystic to Groton on local roadways.
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Groton
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.
Groton
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.
Rocky Neck State Park
East Lyme
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 for ospreys, cranes, and herons or other waterfowl. Rocky Neck provides something for all members of the family.
East Lyme
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 for ospreys, cranes, and herons or other waterfowl. Rocky Neck provides something for all members of the family.
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Madison
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, or just relaxing in the sun and surf.
Madison
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, or just relaxing in the sun and surf.
Chatfield Hollow State Park
Killingworth
Hike the trails in search of Indian caves, explore the jagged rocky ledges and recesses, relax by the cooling waters, or picnic in the soft pine woods at Chatfield Hollow State Park.
Killingworth
Hike the trails in search of Indian caves, explore the jagged rocky ledges and recesses, relax by the cooling waters, or picnic in the soft pine woods at Chatfield Hollow State Park.
Silver Sands State Park
Milford
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 make this a popular four-season waterfront destination.
Milford
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 make this a popular four-season waterfront destination.
CT Valley Railroad State Park
Essex
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, and vintage trains of historic cars. Here you can travel back in time on more than 12 miles of rails departing to the north out of Essex Station and continuing up the historic Connecticut River Valley.
Essex
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, and vintage trains of historic cars. Here you can travel back in time on more than 12 miles of rails departing to the north out of Essex Station and continuing up the historic Connecticut River Valley.