This 32-acre former homestead of the Boothe Family (1663-1949) offers with picnic facilities, rose garden, and wedding garden. Buildings on National Historic Landmark site with displays of early farm equipment, carriages and baskets; trolley history, toll booth exhibit. Hours: Park grounds are open year-round, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Museums and displays are open June 1 through October 1, Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Free admission.

Indian Well State Park
Howe Avenue
Shelton, CT
Phone: 203-735-4311

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The park's scenic waterfalls and splash pool 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. Activities include boating, picnicking, field sports, hiking, river fishing, and swimming. Facilities: bathrooms, picnic shelter, and boat launch (trailered, open April through September, 203-735-4311). Park fees: Weekends, $14 for residents and $20 for non-residents; weekdays, $10 and $14. All days, $8 after 4 p.m.

Mill Hill Historic Park
Wall Street and East Avenue
Norwalk, CT
Phone: 203-846-0525

Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day, Sundays 1 - 4 pm

Sites include the Governor Thomas Fitch Law Office, Cemetery, Schoolhouse, and Town House Museum. A donation is requested from visitors.

Sherwood Island State Park
Off I-95 at Exit 18
Westport, CT
Phone: 203-226-6983

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State park features a sandy beach, fishing areas, food concession, bathhouse, and swimming areas. Have a leisurely lunch in the picnic grove, swim in Long Island sound, or view marsh life from the observation platform. Because of the sharp rocks and shells at West Beach, swimmers are urged to use East Beach, which has lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The Nature Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Surf and shore fishing are allowed outside of swimming areas. Facilities: bathrooms, food concession, picnic shelter, picnic tables, showers. Park fees: Weekends, $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Weekday fees are $14 and $20. Fee is $10 after 4 p.m.

HARTFORD/CENTRAL top of listings

Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area
18 Ranger Road
Haddam, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304

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The second largest forest in the state, set on 15,652 acres. Areas for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, hiking and cross-country ski trails, fresh water swimming and picnic areas. Cockaponset State Forest offers youth group camping. There is a seasonal weekend/holiday parking fee at the Pattaconk Recreation Area of $14 for state residents and $20 for non-residents. No fee on weekdays.

Connecticut Audubon Center
1361 Main Street
Glastonbury, CT
Phone: 860-633-8402

Open: Tues-Fri, 1-5 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, 1-4 pm; Closed the last week in December.

Maintained by the Audubon Society of CT, this science and nature center features exhibits on area wildlife and plants, and a hands-on area for children. A gift shop and programs are available year-round. The center is located next to Earle Park, a 48-acre outdoor setting with numerous walking trails.

Devil's Hopyard State Park
366 Hopyard Road
East Haddam, CT
Phone: 860-873-8566

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The centerpiece of this beautiful park is the 60-foot Chapman Falls. A popular hiking and camping area, the park also has areas for fresh-water fishing, as will as some scenic picnic spots. Activities include bicycling, birding, camping, hiking, picnicking, and stream fishing.Devil's Hopyard Campground offers 21 sites in a wooded setting. Camping is available from mid-April through September 30. Facilities include grills, picnic shelters, picnic tables, composting toilets.There are no parking fees, but there is a nightly camping fee.

Dinosaur State Park
400 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT
Phone: 860-529-8423

Open: Daily, 9 am - 4:30 pm

One of New England's most amazing places, Dinosaur Park features authentic dinosaur tracks that are 200 million years old. These are protected under a dome, which also houses exhibits and special programs that are held throughout the year. Visitors with their own materials are permitted to take plaster casts of the tracks.

Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens
Corner of Prospect Avenue and Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-231-9443

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The park’s world famous rose garden is the oldest municipally operated rose garden in the country. The two-and-a half-acre rose garden has 15,000 plants in about 800 varieties of roses. The park is also home to a rock garden and specialized gardens of annuals, herbs, and perennials. Open: Daily all year, dawn to dusk.

Gillette Castle State Park and Mansion
67 River Road, off Route 82
East Haddam, CT 06423
Phone: 860-526-2336

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One of the most remarkable parks in the state, Gillette Castle State Park features a mansion built in 1919 for actor William Gillette, who was famous for his role as Sherlock Holmes. Tours are given on days that the mansion is open (call for exact times). The park itself is set on the Connecticut River and features fishing areas, short hiking trails and picnic spots. The Castle is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. Staff are available to assist with questions about the castle interior and its history. The grounds are open year round.

Haddam Meadows State Park
Route 154
Haddam, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304

A meadowland park along the banks of the Connecticut River. Visitors will find areas for fishing, boating, cross-country skiing, sports fields and toilet facilities.

Hubbard Park
West Main Street
Meriden, CT 06450
Phone: 203-630-4259

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Hubbard Park is located around East Peak and West Peak of the area called the Hanging Hills. It comprises approximately 1,800 acres of carefully kept woodland, lake and stream, flower gardens, and picnic spots.
Hours: April-October, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: Call for details.

Hungerford Park
191 Farmington Avenue
Kensington, CT
Phone: 860-827-9064

Open: Tuesday - Friday, year-round

This park is home to a farm, a collection of exotic animals, a system of trails, science exhibits and programs led by the New Britain Youth Museum.

Hurd Park
Route 151
East Hampton, CT
Phone: 860-526-2336

An 884 acre park on the east bank of the Connecticut River. Canoeing, including facilities for canoeing, camping, fishing, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and picnic areas are available.

Lock 12 Historical Park
487 North Brooksvale Road (Route 42)
Cheshire, CT 06410
Phone: 203-272-2743

Open: Biking trail and picnic area open year-round, call for museum schedule.

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Restored section of Farmington Canal (1828-48). Park also includes museum, lockkeeper's house, helicoidal bridge, 2.9-mile hiking/biking trail, picnic area. Admission: Free.

Northwest Park Nature Center
145 Lang Road
Windsor, CT
Phone: 860-285-1886

Open: Year round

A local area nature center, with a barn, a museum focusing on the tobacco industry, a trail marked in Braille, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and an animal barn.

Penwood State Park
Route 185, Simsbury Road
Bloomfield, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304

Open: Year round

Park has bicycle, hiking and nature trails, as well as sports areas and cross-country ski areas in season.

Salmon Brook Park
Route 10
Granby, CT
Phone: 860-844-5356

Open: Year round

This park is set on 114 acres, and features hiking trails, an old fashioned swimming pond, and a state-of-the-art children's play area.

Stratton Brook State Park
149 Farms Village Road (Route 309)
Simsbury, CT
Phone: 860-242-1158

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Stratton Brook is a completely wheelchair accessible park offering swimming, picnicking and interpretive programs in a beautifully wooded setting. Stratton Brook State Park is a designated trout park. Activities bicycling, hiking, field sports, picnicking, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing, ice skating. Facilities: bathrooms, changing houses, picnic shelters, picnic tables, seasonal interpretive displays.

Talcott Mountain State Park
Route 185
Simsbury, CT
Phone: 860-242-1158

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This park is located on the site of a Hartford family's former summer home. The main feature is the Heublein Tower, 165 feet high, with four states visible from the top. The tower is reached by hiking a 1.5 mile trail. A museum detailing the history of the area is also located in the park. Tower open late May to end of August, Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; labor Day through October 31, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tomasso Nature Park
Granger Lane
Plainville, CT
Phone: 860-747-6022

Open: March 15 - November 15, dawn to dusk

This 11 acre nature park includes 4 acres of wetlands. Visitors can observe varieties of animals, birds and fish. Walking trails provide ample views of native flora. Free admission.

Wharton Brook State Park
Route 5
Wallingford, CT
Phone: 203-269-5308

This 96 acre park offers visitors a wooded environment for swimming, hiking, fishing, winter ice skating and more. A food concession stand as well as full toilet facilities are also found on the site. There is an entrance fee.

Wickham Park
1329 West Middle Turnpike
Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 860-528-0856

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215 acre park set on a former estate. Gardens, walking trails, an aviary, playgrounds, sports facilities and more await visitors.

Wilcox Park
71 Hoskins Road
Bloomfield, CT
Phone: 860-243-2923

Open: Year round

Maintained by the town of Bloomfield, this 222 acre park is set in area woodlands and features dozens of marked trails. A map of the trails is available at Bloomfield town offices.

LITCHFIELD/NORTHWEST top of listings

American Legion State Forest
West River Road
Barkhamsted, CT

The rocky terrain of this state forest is home to a small campsite, picnic areas, fishing, sports areas, hunting, and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Black Rock Park
Route 6
Thomaston, CT
Phone: 860-677-1819

Park is on the site of a colonial era graphite mine. Visitors here can enjoy swimming, stream fishing, pond fishing, boating, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and winter ice skating.

Black Rock State Park
Watertown Road (Route 6)
Thomaston, CT
Phone: 860-283-8088

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Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the western highlands of Connecticut. Black Rock Campground has 96 sites in a wooded setting. The camping season is mid-April through September 30. This is a designated trout park. Activities include picnicking, field sports, swimming, and pond fishing. Facilities: bathrooms, food concessions, picnic tables.
There is a daily parking fee in season. Gates are open on weekends only from the third Saturday in April until Memorial Day, 8 a.m. to sunset. From Memorial Day to October 31st, they are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Campsite fees are charged separately.

Burr Pond State Park
Route 8
Torrington, CT
Phone: 860-482-1817

Visitors can enjoy hiking and cross-country ski trails, a seasonal ice skating pond, boating, and various nature programs. There is an admission fee.

Campbell Falls
Route 272
Norfolk, CT

Cascading waters are the centerpiece of this park, which features fishing, hiking trails and picnic areas.

Hop Brook Dam Park
Route 63
Naugatuck, CT

Set along a dam, this lake park features picnic areas, swimming, and the Larkin Bridle Trail, used for hiking, cross country skiing and horse trail riding.

Housatonic Meadows State Park
Route 7
Sharon, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238

Along the banks of the Housatonic River, this park features fly-fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing trails, canoeing and a public camping site.

Huntington State Park
Sunset Hill Road
Redding, CT
Phone: 860-424-3200

State park has trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, fresh water fishing and picnic areas.

Jacksons Cove Park
Lake Zoar
Oxford, CT

This small lakeside park features both swimming and boating areas, as well as scenic hikes around the lake.

John A. Minetto State Park
Route 272
Torrington, CT

Set on the site of the one of the first homes built in the area, this park has fishing and swimming areas, as well as sports fields, picnic areas and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Kent Falls State Park
Route 7
Kent, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238

One of the most visually stunning places in Connecticut, Kent Falls features a 200-foot, cascading waterfall. Along the falls visitors can utilize a staired path which allows views from top to bottom. The park also has picnic areas, hiking trails and fishing areas. There is a charge for admission on weekends and holidays.

Kettletown State Park
Off I-84 at Exit 15
Southbury, CT
Phone: 203-264-5169

Visitors can enjoy nature programs, fishing, hiking trails (including one for the handicapped), swimming and picnic areas. Campers can rent a site in the park. The name Kettletown comes from the history of the parkland: Settlers purchased the territory from the natives for the price of one brass kettle.

Lake McDonough Park
Route 219
Barkhamsted, CT
Phone: 860-379-3036

This park on the lake features rentals of row boats and paddleboats, as well as fishing areas and hiking trails.

Lake Waramaug State Park
Route 45
New Preston, CT
Phone: 860-868-2592

Park is set entirely on the lake. Visitors can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, fishing, boat rentals, sports fields, hiking trails and more. In season nature programs are scheduled. A 78 site camping area is available for a fee.

Little-Laurel Lime Ridge Park
Off Route 334
Seymour, CT

This park offers visitors scenic views to enjoy while engaging in vigorous, often challenging hiking trails. Bike trails are also available.

Macedonia Brook State Park
CT State Route 342
Kent, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238

Park set on 2,300 acres. Trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, fishing, sports fields, camping. Views of the Taconic and Catskill Mountains.

Mattatuck Forest
Thomaston Road
Thomaston, CT

A section of the Blue Trail runs through the forest, open to hikers only.

Mohawk State Park
Route 4
Cornwall, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238

Mohawk State Park features 1,683 foot Mohawk Mountain. The Mohawk trail is available for hiking, there are cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, fishing and picnic areas. There is a charge for skiing.

Mount Tom State Park
Route 202
Litchfield, CT
Phone: 860-567-8870

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Mount Tom rises to a height of 1,325. At the top of the mountain, hikers can reach the notable stone tower. While hiking the mountain is a popular activity at the park, visitors can also enjoy swimming, stocked fishing ponds, sail and row-boating, scuba diving and ice skating. Activities include paddling, picnicking, fishing, scuba diving, hiking, Swimming, canoe and kayak rentals. Facilities: bathrooms, concession, change houses. There are separate weekend, holiday. and weekday parking fees at Mount Tom State Park.

Naugatuck State Forest
Lewis Street
Naugatuck, CT

This state forest is completely undeveloped, and offers challenging hiking experiences for the non-beginner.

Osbornedale State Park
Hawthorne Avenue
Derby, CT

State park features fishing areas, winter ice skating and cross-country skiing, hiking trails and a picnic area.

Peoples State Forest
East River Road
Barkhamsted, CT
Phone: 860-379-2469

Along the Farmington River, this forest features hunting areas, fishing areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, and sports fields. Of particular interest is the Mathies Grove picnic area, set among great pines that are over 2 centuries old. A campground is also available.

Peterson Park
Mad River Road
Wolcott, CT

This park is home to the beginning of the Mattatuck trail, a 35 mile hike that wends its way up to Mohawk Mountain, in the Litchfield Hills.

Pierrepont State Park
Route 116
Ridgefield, CT
Phone: 203-431-2577

State park with picnic areas, fishing, hiking and cross-country ski trails and ice skating.

Putnam Memorial State Park
Route 58
Bethel, CT
Phone: 860-424-3200

This historic park has facilities for picnicking, hiking and cross-country skiing trails and a pond for ice skating.

Southford Falls State Park
Quaker Farms Road
Oxford, CT
Phone: 203-264-5169

State park features fishing, hiking trails, sports fields, plus cross country skiing and ice skating in the wintertime.

Squantz Pond State Park
Route 39
New Fairfield, CT
Phone: 860-424-3200

This year-round recreation area features a boating and swimming area, fishing, ice skating, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and picnic areas.

Topsmead Park
Buell Road
Litchfield, CT
Phone: 860-567-5694

Topsmead is an English tudor mansion set on 511 acres. During the summer the house is open for tours. The grounds are open year-round and feature hiking, sledding, cross country skiing, as well as picnic areas.

MYSTIC/EASTERN top of listings

Albert E. Moss Forest
Junction of Routes 195 and 275
Mansfield, CT

This wildlife sanctuary is used as an outdoor laboratory by the University of Connecticut. Open to the general public.

Barn Island State Wildlife Management Area
Palmer Neck Road
Stonington, CT

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The 1,013-acre Barn Island Wildlife Management Area is the State's single largest coastal property managed for wildlife conservation. The property provides a diversity of ecoysystem and habitats including hilly uplands, agricultural/open fields, mixed hardwood forests and salt, brackish and freshwater tidal wetlands. The site is a popular hiking, wildlife observation and hunting area. Deer hunting is allowed in-season at this site. Nearly 4 miles of trails are available at this site.

Bigelow Hollow State Park
Route 171
Union, CT
Phone: 860-684-3430

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Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails and an 18-acre pond in Eastern Connecticut. Activities include boating, picnicking, cross country skiing, pond fishing, hiking, scuba diving, hunting (forest only), and snowmobiling. There are boat launches at Bigelow Pond and Mashapaug Lake. There is a parking fee of $9 to $15 weekends and holidays in season.

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve / Bluff Point State Park
Depot Road, off US Route 1
Groton, CT
Phone: 860-444-7591

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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. Activities include hiking, saltwater fishing, mountain biking, shell fishing. A permit is required for shell fishing. Permits are issued by the Town of Groton. Town offices are located at Route 1 and Depot Road. Telephone: 860-441-6600. No fee to park.

Fenton-Ruby Park and Wildlife Preserve
Burma Road
Willington, CT

This nature preserve and park offers ample opportunity for wildlife observation and bird-watching. A one mile, marked trail runs through the preserve.

Fort Shantok State Park
Route 32
Montville, CT

Fresh water fishing and hiking trails available.

Haley Farm State Park
Brook Street, off Route 215
Groton, CT

Acres of hiking and scenery.

Harkness Memorial State Park
275 Great Neck Road / State Route 213
Waterford, CT 06385
Phone: 860-443-5725

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This beachfront park on Long Island Sound, site of a former mansion is home to an unusual historic and beautiful experience. Enjoy a garden of heliotropes, bred from the plants grown on the site over a century ago.
Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset. Mansion is open for tours weekends and holidays from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. The first tour starts at 10 a.m. and the last at 2:15 p.m. Fees for parking.

Hartman Park
Gungy Road
Old Lyme, CT

Hiking trails available.

James L. Goodwin Forest
Route 6
Hampton, CT

2002 acre conservation center with displays representing different types of woodlands. The conservancy also has fishing areas, cross-country skiing, hiking trails and a rest area.

Ledyard Glacial Park and Avery Preserve
Entrances at Avery Hill Road, Avery Hill Extension, Whalehead Road
Ledyard, CT

Hiking trails dot the landscape of this nature conservancy. Great for bird watching.

Lester B. Williams Memorial Forest
Herrick Road
Brooklyn, CT

1.5 mile trail, marked and maintained by the Eastern CT Forest Landowners Association. A map for this circular route is available in the mailbox at the start of the trail.

Mansfield Hollow Park
Bassetts Bridge Road
Mansfield, CT

Small park set on a 500 acre lake. Boating and fishing are allowed. The park is also available for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Mashamoquet Brook State Park
147 Wolf Den Drive
Pomfret Center, CT
Phone: 860-928-6121

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Popular state park with facilities for camping, swimming, boating and a rest area with a food concession. Hiking trails and fishing areas are also available. There is a weekend/holiday parking fee of $9 to $15 and a campsite fee at Mashamoquet State Park.
Wolf Den Campground, 35 open sites. Bathrooms, showers, dumping station. Fishing, hiking, swimming nearby. No pets.
Mashamoquet Brook Campground, 20 wooded sites. Dumping station nearby. Fishing, hiking, swimming nearby. No pets. Open April through September.

Mohegan Park
Judd Road
Norwich, CT
Phone: 860-823-3791

Norwich is known as "The Rose of New England", and the formal rose garden in this park commemorates this and is dedicated to all veterans of foreign wars. Especially delightful in late spring and summer. The park also offers walking trails, pavilions and a beach for visitors to enjoy. Tennis players will enjoy free time on available on clay courts, which are lighted in the evenings.

Mohegan State Forest
Route 97
Scotland, CT

395 acre forest with hiking trails and hunting.

Moosup Valley State Park Trail
River Street, off Route 14
Plainfield, CT

This trail runs for 8 miles along the bed of an old railroad. The walk will take you to the Rhode Island border.

Natchaug State Forest
Pilfershire Road
Eastford, CT
Phone: 860-928-6121

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Natchaug State Forest on Natchaug River is popular for its horse trails, outstanding fishing, and riverfront picnic sites. Of historic interest is a large stone fireplace and chimney that are the remains of the birthplace of General Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in the Civil War. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, hunting, backpack camping, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The Natchaug River is a designated trout park fishing area. Facilities include picnic tables and pit toilets.

Nathan Hale Forest
South Street, off Route 31
Coventry, CT

This state forest sits on 1219 acres close to the homestead of the legendary Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hall. Hiking, fishing and hunting are available there.

Nehantic State Park
Route 156
Old Lyme, CT

Swimming, boating, fishing and hiking.

Nipmuck State Forest
Route 190
Union, CT

This forest is farmed for products. Hiking trails with hunting permitted.

Old Furnace State Park
Route 6 East
Killingly, CT

This small state park sits on the site of an iron mill built in the 18th century. Fishing is available in nearby Ross Pond, as well as several hiking trails.

Pachaug State Forest (Chapman and Green Falls areas)
Route 49
Voluntown, CT
Phone: 860-376-4075

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Pachaug State Forest is the largest state forest in Connecticut encompassing 24,000 acres in five towns. There are two areas, the Chapman Area and the Green Falls Area.
Activities in the Chapman area include boating, hunting, backpack camping, motorcycling, camping, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, picnicking, freshwater fishing, scenic vistas, hiking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, youth group camping, horse camping, and letterboxing. Mount Misery Campground offers 22 campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Water, fireplaces and pit toilets are provided. Frog Hollow Horse Camp Area offers 18 campsites on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Green Falls area offers boating, camping, freshwater fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking. The Green Falls Campground has 18 wooded campsites that are available from the third Friday of April until September 30. The campsites are first-come, first serve with no reservations accepted. Green Falls, Narragansett, Nehantic, and Pachaug trail sections pass through this area.

Quaddick State Park
East Putnam Road
Thompson, CT
Phone: 860-928-9200

Popular fishing and swimming area also features boating, hiking trails, and a rest area with food concession. Admission fee on weekends and holidays.

Riverside Park
Riverside Drive, Route 12
North Grosvenordale, CT

A half mile looping trail by the French River. Lit for evening walks.

Rocky Neck State Park
244 West Main Street (Route 156)
East Lyme, CT
Phone: 860-739-5471

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The large stone pavilion, diverse trail systems, and gently sloping beach make this park ideal for families. Try crabbing or fishing. Look for hawks, cranes, and herons. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, saltwater fishing, interpretive programs, saltwater swimming. Facilities include bathrooms, food concession, pavilion, and picnic tables. Rocky Neck Campground offers 160 sites in both open and wooded settings. The camping season begins in May and ends September 30.
From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day there are separate weekend/holiday and weekday parking fees. On weekends from April 17 through May 23 and again from September 11 through September 26, the weekday rate for parking will be in effect. There is also a camping fee at Rocky Neck State Park.

Roseland Park
Roseland Park, off Route 169
Woodstock, CT
Phone: 860-963-7690

This park has been an area favorite almost since it was opened in 1876. Hiking trails run through the park, which has an admission fee on the weekends.

Ross Pond State Park
Ross Road, off Route 6
Killingly, CT

Enjoy the view from the cliffs in this park. Fishing and boating are also available.

Salmon River State Forest
Route 16
Colchester, CT

Fishing, hiking and a rest station available.

Schoolhouse Brook Park
Clover Mill Road, off Route 195
Mansfield, CT

18 trails (for walking or cross-country skiing) around Bicentennial Pond. The park is maintained by the town of Mansfield.

Shelter Falls Park
Birch Road
Mansfield, CT

This wooded trail takes a somewhat rocky path that meanders past two waterfalls.

Stoddard Hill State Park
Route 12
Gales Ferry, CT

Boating, fishing and hiking.

Wauregan Reservoir State Park
Shepard Hill Road
Killingly, CT

A 25 acre park featuring the reservoir pond stocked with trout. Gas and oil motor boats are not permitted.

Wharton Brook State Park
Route 5
Wallingford, CT
Phone: 203-269-5308

Yale Forest
Route 197
Union, CT

Yale University uses this forest for study and field work. Fishing is available in the forest. The blue-marked Nipmuck trail runs through the forest for hiking.

NEW HAVEN/SOUTH CENTRAL top of listings

Chatfield Hollow State Park
Route 80
Killingworth, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304

A 375 acre wooded hollow, featuring fascinating caves and rocky ledges. Visitors here will enjoy fishing, winter ice-skating, hiking trails and swimming. There are a telephone and restrooms on the site. An Admission fee is charged to enter the park.

East Rock Park
East Rock Road
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-946-6086

This park offers a nature trails, playgrounds, recreational areas, a bird sanctuary, and a spectacular view of Long Island Sound.

Edgerton Park
75 Cliff Street at Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511

Beautiful history

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Once an experimental mulberry orchard, this stately public park was the home of Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin. Bought in 1906 by the Brewster family, the stately mansion stood near the great lawn of an estate designed to replicate an English landscape garden. Now a city park hosting many public cultural events.
Hours: Open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. The conservatory is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except major holidays.

Edgewood Park
Edgewood Avenue
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-946-8028

Enjoy nature walks around the duck pond, tennis courts, basketball courts and a ranger station. The park is also the site of the Holocaust Memorial and the Spanish American War monument.

Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT
Phone: 203-245-2785

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Connecticut's largest shoreline park offers over two miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or just relaxing in the sun and surf. Activities include saltwater swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking, fishing, paddling, bicycling, and camping. The Meigs Point Nature Center offers programs and activities for park visitors on a limited year round basis.
Facilities: Bathrooms, boardwalk, car top boat launch, concessions, nature center, picnic shelters, picnic tables, showers. Park fees: Weekends, $20 for Connecticut residents and $30 for non-residents; weekday fees are $14 and $20. All days, $10 after 4 p.m. Hammonasset offers over 550 grassy campsites. Open for the season from May 21 through October 30 (203-245-1817).

Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Road
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-946-8005

Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day, 6 pm - sunset

This 82 acre park on Long Island Sound features exhibits on natural history, swimming areas, nature trails, a bird sanctuary and an antique carousel. There is a parking fee.

Sleeping Giant State Park
Hamden, CT

Hiking and fishing are the main reasons to visit this park. Picnic areas.

Wadsworth Falls State Park
Route 157
Middlefield, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304

285 acre park with a waterful and laurel groves. Picnic areas, fishing, hiking and cross-country ski trails, swimming are all available to visitors. The park also has toilet facilities and telephones. There as a daily admission charge to enter.

West Rock Ridge Park
Hamden, CT

Small state park with fishing area and hiking and cross country ski trails.