Public places offer lots of walking and hiking in Hartford and central CT
366 Hopyard Road
East Haddam, CT
Phone: 860-873-8566
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.
Corner of Prospect Avenue and Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-231-9443
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.
Hours: Year-round, daily, dawn to dusk.
Gay City State Park
Hebron, CT
This rustic, rural park is the perfect place for fishing, hiking and walking, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
67 River Road, off Route 82
East Haddam, CT 06423
Phone: 860-526-2336
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.
West Main Street
Meriden, CT 06450
Phone: 203-630-4259
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 canoe 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.
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.
Oak Grove Nature Center
Oak Grove Street
Manchester, CT
Phone: 860-643-0949
Open: Daily, dawn to dusk
Roaring Brook Nature Center
70 Gracey Road
Canton, CT
Phone: 860-693-0263
Tues - Sat, 10 am - 5 pm; Sun 1 - 5 pm; July-Aug, also Monday, 10 am - 5 pm
This nature center features walking trails, live animals and an Indian longhouse. Classes and special programs are also scheduled periodically throughout the year.
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area
Route 69
Burlington, CT
Phone: 860-675-8130
Open: Year-round, dawn to dusk
Visitors to this natural preserve are treated to a beaver marsh, an observation tower, and a waterfall. Walking and hiking trails feature information signs and demonstrations of wildlife management practices.
149 Farms Village Road (Route 309)
Simsbury, CT
Phone: 860-242-1158
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.
Route 185
Simsbury, CT
Phone: 860-242-1158
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.
1329 West Middle Turnpike
Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 860-528-0856
Wickham Park extends into both Manchester and East Hartford, Connecticut. The park contains 250 acres of gardens, open fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas, sports facilities, and other attractions. The park contains 250 acres of gardens, open fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas, sports facilities, and other attractions.
Hours: First weekend in April through the last weekend in October; 9:30 a.m.-sunset except in inclement weather.
Admission: Parking fee for cars is $4 weekdays and $5 weekends; higher fees for buses.
18 Ranger Road
Haddam, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304
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.
