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

See Map

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

See Map

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

See Map

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.

R-Z top of listings

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

See Map

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

See Map

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

See Map

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.

A-C top of listings

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

See Map

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.

I-P top of listings

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.

See Map

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.