Connecticut's Hartford region has fine state and local parks

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Historic Wethersfield

Town’s plentiful parks offer picnic areas, activities, trails, boat launch, beaches, ponds

In the parks of Historic Wethersfield, visitors will not only find the tranquility of hundreds of acres of natural surroundings, but also a full slate of activities. At the entrance to Mill Woods Park is the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, with live animals and hands-on exhibits. The park itself has wooded trails, a skate park, a beach, outdoor swimming pool, dog park, ice skating and a fishing pond. At Standish Park, you’ll find tennis courts and a wheelchair-friendly playground. Hammer Park has a mini basketball court, and Farms Village Park has a playscape and sledding hill. There’s a boat launch and pretty picnic spots at Cove Park, and there’s a fishing pond and lots of open space at the 1860 Reservoir.

Talcott Mountain State Park

CT Route 185 (Hartford Road) at Summit Ridge Drive Simsbury, CT, 06070 Phone: 860-242-1158

Heulbein Tower is popular for hiking, picnicking

The main attraction of Talcott Mountain State Park is 165-foot high Heublein Tower, a scenic historical landmark which offers hikers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, as far as Long Island Sound. Discover the region’s wildlife including deer, fox, rabbits, and birds. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and a picnic shelter. Free parking. - Park Map (PDF)
Hours: Park is open year-round, 8am - Sunset; Heublein Tower is open seasonally and hours vary, Please call for up-to-date information.

Stratton Brook State Park

149 Farms Village Road - CT Route 309 Simsbury, CT, 06070 Phone: 860-242-1158

Stratton Brook State Park is completely handicap-accessible. Enjoy biking, field sports, walking & hiking, picnicking, and swimming. There is a scenic bike trail through a pine forest and past bubbling brooks and streams. Amenities include restrooms, rentable picnic shelters, and picnic sites. - Park Map (PDF)
Hours: Open year-round, 8am - Sunset.

Devil's Hopyard State Park

366 Hopyard Road East Haddam, CT, 06423 Phone: 860-873-8566

The centerpiece of this beautiful park is the 60-foot Chapman Falls. Activities include bicycling, birding, camping, hiking, picnicking, and stream fishing. You can horse around in the horseshoe pit, and picnic at any of five sites along Hopyard Road. Also, 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. - Park Map (PDF)

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Trail Marker - Cockaponset State Forest - Haddam/Chester, CT

Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area

Cedar Lake Road Chester, CT, 06412 Phone: 860-424-3200

Cockaponset's name derives from a deceased Indian chief. The second largest state forest in Connecticut has it all: Areas for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, hiking and cross-country ski trails, fresh water swimming and picnic areas. Seasonal weekend/holiday parking fee at Pattaconk Recreation Area, $20 (non-residents). Free parking on weekdays. Amenities include pit toilets. - Trail Maps:

Hubbard Park

999 W. Main Street Meriden, CT, 06451 Phone: 203-630-4259

Hubbard Park has 1,800 acres of parkland ]for year-round use. The park includes the East/West Peak, also known as Hanging Hills of Meriden. It is part of the Metacomet Ridge. The park includes woodland, lake and stream, flower gardens, and picnic areas, and Mirror Lake.
Activities: Hiking and biking are permitted. Fishing is allowed in Mirror Lake for youth age 15 and younger. Picnic tables are available. Swimming, rock climbing, and boating are prohibited.
Directions and Parking: Take I-91 South to I-691 West to the exit for Southington/Route 322. At the exit off ramp, turn left onto West Main Street. Hubbard Park is a mile down the road on the left. Parking is at the park at the start of the trail head adjacent to Mirror Lake.

Gillette Castle in East Haddam - Photo Credit Shutterstock

Gillette Castle State Park and Mansion

67 River Road 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. The park is set on the Connecticut River and features fishing areas, short hiking trails and picnic spots. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day, Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The grounds are open year round. Tours of the castle are offered; call for schedule.
Admission: There are no fees for parking or visiting the park grounds. A per person charge applies for Castle tours.

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