Connecticut - State and Local Parks in Mystic/Eastern

Airline State Park Trail
Route 6
Willimantic, CT

A twenty mile trail along an old rail line that runs between Willimantic and Putnam.

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

Fishing, hiking trails available.

Bigelow Hollow State Park
Route 197
Union, CT
Phone: 860-928-9200

Woodland park set on Mashapaug Lake. 513 acres with fishing, hiking, boating, hunting, horse trails. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. Rest area, admission on weekends and holidays.

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve
Depot Road, off US Route 1
Groton, CT

Fishing along the coastline, 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
Route 44
Pomfret Center, CT
Phone: 860-928-6121

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 an admission fee in season.
Wolf Den Campground, 35 open sites. Bathrooms, showers, dumping station. Fishing, hiking, swimming nearby. No pets. Cost: $11/night/campsite plus a processing fee.
Mashamoquet Brook Campground, 20 wooded sites. Dumping station nearby. Fishing, hiking, swimming nearby. No pets. Cost: $11/night/campsite plus a processing fee. 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 Forest
Route 198
Eastford, CT

The forest is popular for horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and hunting. A rest area with toilets is available. In the winter, snowmobiling is permitted in certain areas.

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 Forest
Route 49
Voluntown, CT
Phone: 860-376-4075

This very large 23,115 acre forest features fishing, hiking, boating, hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Pachaug State Park
Route 49
Voluntown, CT

Forested park features freshwater fishing and hiking trails.

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
Niantic, CT

Connecticut's busiest state park in the area, on Long Island Sound. Features beaches, swimming, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, showers, hiking trails, food concessions.

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

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.

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.

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

See Map

Beachfront park on Long Island Sound, features picnicking and fishing. No swimming.

Hartman Park
Gungy Road
Old Lyme, CT

Hiking trails available.