Connecticut's New Haven region has fine state and local parks

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

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

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.