Public places offer lots of walking and hiking in Litchfield and northwest CT
Dennis Hill State Park
State Route 272
Norfolk, CT
Flanders Nature Center
Flanders Road
Woodbury, CT
Phone: 203-263-3711
Open: Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm
Many special programs are scheduled here. Visitors can enjoy nature walks that feature wildflowers (seasonal), a bog and an arboretum made up of nut trees. The Center's trail house features nature exhibits and a gift shop.
H.C. Barnes Nature Center
175 Shrub Road
Bristol, CT
Phone: 860-589-6082
Open: Wed - Fri, 2 - 5 pm; Sat 9 am - 5 pm; Sun 1 -5 pm
This nature center features a variety of self-guiding trails, as well as interpretive exhibits and a nature library. The 70 acre sanctuary is home to a variety of species.
Haystack Mountain
State Route 272
Norfolk, CT
At the summit of this 1,716 foot peak is a 34 foot high tower. A half-mile trail leads visitors from the parking lot to the tower, from which Long Island Sound, the Berkshires and New York State can be seen.
Hetzel Refuge
Breakneck Hill
Middlebury, CT
Phone: 203-263-3711
This pristine, wooded refuge sits on 66 acres and offers prime observation areas for both birds and animals. Hiking trails wend their way through almost the entire site.
Hop Brook Dam Park
Route 63
Naugatuck, CT
Set along a dam, this lake park features picnic areas, swimming, and the Larkin Bridle Trail, used for hiking, cross country skiing and horse trail riding.
Housatonic Meadows State Park
Route 7
Sharon, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238
Along the banks of the Housatonic River, this park features fly-fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing trails, canoeing and a public camping site.
Huntington State Park
Sunset Hill Road
Redding, CT
Phone: 860-424-3200
State park has trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, fresh water fishing and picnic areas.
Jacksons Cove Park
Lake Zoar
Oxford, CT
This small lakeside park features both swimming and boating areas, as well as scenic hikes around the lake.
John A. Minetto State Park
Route 272
Torrington, CT
Set on the site of the one of the first homes built in the area, this park has fishing and swimming areas, as well as sports fields, picnic areas and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Kent Falls State Park
Route 7
Kent, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238
One of the most visually stunning places in Connecticut, Kent Falls features a 200-foot, cascading waterfall. Along the falls visitors can utilize a staired path which allows views from top to bottom. The park also has picnic areas, hiking trails and fishing areas. There is a charge for admission on weekends and holidays.
Kettletown State Park
Off I-84 at Exit 15
Southbury, CT
Phone: 203-264-5169
Visitors can enjoy nature programs, fishing, hiking trails (including one for the handicapped), swimming and picnic areas. Campers can rent a site in the park. The name Kettletown comes from the history of the parkland: Settlers purchased the territory from the natives for the price of one brass kettle.
Lake McDonough Park
Route 219
Barkhamsted, CT
This park on the lake features rentals of row boats and paddleboats, as well as fishing areas and hiking trails.
Lake Waramaug State Park
Route 45
New Preston, CT
Phone: 860-868-2592
Park is set entirely on the lake. Visitors can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, fishing, boat rentals, sports fields, hiking trails and more. In season nature programs are scheduled. A 78 site camping area is available for a fee.
Lake Zoar
Route 34
Newtown, CT
Visitors to Lake Zoar will find the lake hospitable to boaters and swimmers. The area also has trails for both hiking and mountain biking.
Little-Laurel Lime Ridge Park
Off Route 334
Seymour, CT
This park offers visitors scenic views to enjoy while engaging in vigorous, often challenging hiking trails. Bike trails are also available.
Macedonia Brook State Park
CT State Route 342
Kent, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238
Park set on 2,300 acres. Trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, fishing, sports fields, camping. Views of the Taconic and Catskill Mountains.
Mattatuck Forest
Thomaston Road
Thomaston, CT
A section of the Blue Trail runs through the forest, open to hikers only.
Mine Hill Preserve
Mine Hill Road
Roxbury, CT
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the preserve is set on a former iron ore mine and blast furnace. Granite quarries on the property provided stones used in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and Grand Central Station in New York City. A looping trail of under 4 miles will take hikers along the Donkey Trail (where donkeys used to pull ore wagons), past mine shafts and tunnels, and old mine and furnace foundations. Side trails will take hikers to the granite quarries.
Mohawk State Park
Route 4
Cornwall, CT
Phone: 860-927-3238
Route 202
Litchfield, CT
Phone: 860-567-8870
Mount Tom rises to a height of 1,325. At the top of the mountain, hikers can reach the notable stone tower. While hiking the mountain is a popular activity at the park, visitors can also enjoy swimming, stocked fishing ponds, sail and row-boating, scuba diving and ice skating. Activities include paddling, picnicking, fishing, scuba diving, hiking, Swimming, canoe and kayak rentals. Facilities: bathrooms, concession, change houses.
There are separate weekend, holiday. and weekday parking fees at Mount Tom State Park.
Naugatuck State Forest
Lewis Street
Naugatuck, CT
This state forest is completely undeveloped, and offers challenging hiking experiences for the non-beginner.
Northfield Dam
Route 254
Thomaston, CT
Recreational area features fishing, biking trails, picnic areas with shelters and swimming.
Osbornedale State Park
Hawthorne Avenue
Derby, CT
State park features fishing areas, winter ice skating and cross-country skiing, hiking trails and a picnic area.
Peoples State Forest
East River Road
Barkhamsted, CT
Phone: 860-379-2469
Along the Farmington River, this forest features hunting areas, fishing areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, and sports fields. Of particular interest is the Mathies Grove picnic area, set among great pines that are over 2 centuries old. Hiking trails include the Beaver Swamp Loop, which leads visitors past the remains of 18th and 19th century charcoal pits and ancient Indian villages, as well as the ruins of a colonial home. Another trail also forks off to the site of an ancient Indian soapstone quarry. A campground is also available.
Peterson Park
Mad River Road
Wolcott, CT
This park is home to the beginning of the Mattatuck trail, a 35 mile hike that wends its way up to Mohawk Mountain, in the Litchfield Hills.
Pierrepont State Park
Route 116
Ridgefield, CT
Phone: 203-431-2577
State park with picnic areas, fishing, hiking and cross-country ski trails and ice skating.
Putnam Memorial State Park
Route 58
Bethel, CT
Phone: 203-566-2305
Saugatuck Valley Hiking Trail System
Route 53
Redding, CT
Phone: 203-958-2551
Open: Year round
Over 65 miles of hiking trails wend their way through Redding, Easton and Weston. Hikers will pass historic and natural sites, including the view from a 200 foot cliff overlooking a reservoir. A permit is required, and available -- along with maps -- at the Redding Town Clerk's office.
325 Cornwall Bridge Road / Route 4
Sharon, CT 06069
Phone: 860-364-0520
Nature trails meander through gardens, woods and around ponds. Walking the trails affords the opportunity to experience a diversity of wildlife habitats, home to a wide variety of plants, birds, and animals like bobcats, beavers, river otters and deer. The chestnut-sided warbler, ovenbird, and wood thrush, among other neotropical migratory birds, breed in our woods in the summer while many other migratory birds use the property as a lay-over point during their long migrations.
The Visitor Center houses the Nature Store, our Natural History Museum and Exhibit Room, live animals and displays, a Children's Adventure Center, and Research Library. Exhibits include a children’s discovery room, live animals and natural history. A gift shop and book store can also be found in the museum.
Hours: The Visitors Center and Nature Store are open year round, Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The building is closed on all major holidays.
Admission: Trails and most programs are $3 for adults; $1.50 for seniors; $1.50 for children
Southford Falls State Park
Quaker Farms Road
Oxford, CT
Phone: 203-264-5169
State park features fishing, hiking trails, sports fields, plus cross country skiing and ice skating in the wintertime.
Squantz Pond State Park
Route 39
New Fairfield, CT
Phone: 860-424-3200
This year-round recreation area features a boating and swimming area, fishing, ice skating, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and picnic areas.
The Pratt Center
163 Papermill Road
New Milford, CT
Phone: 860-355-3137
Nature preserve with hiking trails and river walks. There are also special programs scheduled throughout the year, and live farm animals on the premises in the spring, summer and fall.
Thomaston Dam
Hill Road, Route 22
Thomaston, CT
Open: Year-round, daily
Visitors to this recreational area can enjoy trails for hiking and motor bikes, as well as picnic areas.
Topsmead Park
Buell Road
Litchfield, CT
Phone: 860-567-5694
Topsmead is an English tudor mansion set on 511 acres. During the summer the house is open for tours. The grounds are open year-round and feature hiking, sledding, cross country skiing, as well as picnic areas.
White Memorial Conservation Center and Museum
Route 202
Litchfield, CT
Phone: 860-567-0857
Open: Year-round, daily
Sanctuary set on 4,000 acres features 35 miles of trails, including a wooden boardwalk through wetland areas. The sanctuary museum examines the flora and fauna on the property more closely. Visitors can also enjoy the gift shop. A 3.1 mile trail is ideal for the novice and nature lover, and takes visitors alongside the Bantam River and along a 1.2 mile wooden boardwalk that will take you through a large portion of the sanctuary's wetlands.
Woodcock Nature Center
56 Deer Run Road
Ridgefield, CT
Phone: 203-762-7280
Set on 146 acres, the nature center has numerous walking and hiking trails. The area offers great opportunities for birdwatching and observation of geology. Regular walks and programs are scheduled throughout the year. Gift shop on the premises.
American Legion State Forest
West River Road
Barkhamsted, CT
The rocky terrain of this state forest is home to a small campsite, picnic areas, fishing, sports areas, hunting, and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Bear Mountain
Route 41
Salisbury, CT
A challenging hike of almost 7 miles awaits visitors, who will begin on the Undermountain Trail, join the Appalachian Trail, and then make a steep ascent up Bear Mountain to its peak (2,316 feet above sea level). At the summit is a monument marking the spot as the highest in the state of Connecticut.
Black Rock Park
Route 6
Thomaston, CT
Phone: 860-677-1819
Park is on the site of a colonial era graphite mine. Visitors here can enjoy swimming, stream fishing, pond fishing, boating, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and winter ice skating.
Watertown Road (Route 6)
Thomaston, CT
Phone: 860-283-8088
Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the western highlands of Connecticut. Black Rock Campground has 96 sites in a wooded setting. The camping season is mid-April through September 30. This is a designated trout park. Activities include picnicking, field sports, swimming, and pond fishing. Facilities: bathrooms, food concessions, picnic tables.
There is a daily parking fee in season. Gates are open on weekends only from the third Saturday in April until Memorial Day, 8 a.m. to sunset. From Memorial Day to October 31st, they are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Campsite fees are charged separately.
Bull's Covered Bridge River Walk
Bull's Bridge Road
Kent, CT
A scenic part of the Appalachian Trail. Hikers can enjoy the Bull's Bridge Scenic Trail loop, featuring views of waterfalls and gorges down below on the Housatonic River. The covered bridge itself was built in 1842, and is one of the few in New England still open to auto traffic. The trail follows the Housatonic River to Ten Mile River Gorge, and then up to the top of Ten Mile Hill.
Burr Pond State Park
Route 8
Torrington, CT
Phone: 860-482-1817
Visitors can enjoy hiking and cross-country ski trails, a seasonal ice skating pond, boating, and various nature programs. There is an admission fee.
Campbell Falls
Route 272
Norfolk, CT
Cascading waters are the centerpiece of this park, which features fishing, hiking trails and picnic areas.
