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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.