State and local parks in Connecticut cover many different types of topography and plant life, and many have lakes or ponds with opportunities for boating and
paddling.
Some are located in cities, deep in the woods, or on the shore, complete with saltwater beaches. The range of opportunities for outdoor sports or just enjoying a pleasant
walk, is wide open, in every season of the year.
Acres of parkland make this historic town a must for outdoor-lovers of all ages
Lighthouse Road New Haven, CT Phone: 203-946-8019
Lighthouse tours, water sports, marine biology programs, paddling tours
384 Burr Mountain Road Torrington, CT Phone: 860-482-1817
Pond has beach for swimming, canoe & kayak rentals, trails around the shoreline
Route 202 at Mount Tom Road Washington Depot, CT, 06794 Phone: 860-567-8870
Water sports in the lake; hiking to tower at mountain top
178 Shortwoods Road New Fairfield, CT, 06810 Phone: 203-312-5023
Pond is centerpiece of wooded park with beach, swimming, boating, hiking trails, ice skating, cross country skiing
67 River Road, off Route 82 East Haddam, CT, 06423 Phone: 860-526-2336
Off Old Willimantic Road Mansfield, CT Phone:
Boating and fishing are allowed here; boat ramp provided. Swimming is prohibited
Depot Road, off US Route 1 Groton, CT, 06340 Phone: 860-444-7591
Walking in wooded peninsula and along rocky coast; seabird watching; shell fishing allowed
462 Kent Cornwall Road (Route 7) Kent, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Cascading waterfall, covered bridge, hiking trails. Great for picnics, walking
275 Great Neck Road / State Route 213 Waterford, CT, 06385 Phone: 860-443-5725
Beautiful seaside gardens; Roman Classical Revival Mansion open for tours in summer
18 Ranger Road Haddam, CT Phone: 860-566-2304
Large state forest; good for fishing, hiking & walking, horseback riding, snowmobiling
Buell Road Litchfield, CT Phone: 860-567-5694
Historic mansion offers summer tours; grounds for walking, picnicking, sledding
1288 Boston Post Road Madison, CT Phone: 203-245-2785
Very large park on Long Island Sound offers swimming, salt water fishing, boardwalk, lots of camping sites
Wintergreen Avenue Hamden, CT Phone:
Hiking, fishing, paddling
Route 171 Union, CT Phone:
Large forested park with lots of hiking trails; water sports at one lake and 3 ponds
Edgewood Avenue New Haven, CT Phone: 203-946-8028
Lovely urban park; good for strolling, tennis, skateboarding, bird watching, relaxation
200 Mount Carmel Avenue Hamden, CT, 06518 Phone: 203-287-5658
Hiking and trout fishing are best activities at this ridge top park overlooking New Haven
1400 George's Hill Road (Off I-84 at Exit 15) Southbury, CT Phone: 860-424-3200
Lots of water sports are done at this park on the Housatonic River; also near Lake Zoar
147 Wolf Den Drive Pomfret Center, CT Phone: 860-928-6121
Good park for camping, swimming, boating, hiking; cool rock formations to explore
929 Hopeville Road Griswold, CT Phone: 860-376-2920
Freshwater swimming, fishing in Hopeville Pond. Campground in woods.
244 West Main Street (Route 156) East Lyme, CT Phone: 860-739-5471
Sandy beach; picnicking; walking trails; fishing; camping
205 Roseland Park Road Woodstock, CT, 06281 Phone: 860-963-9557
Gentle park alongside a lake with historic house
Off I-95 at Exit 18 Westport, CT Phone: 203-226-6983
Swimming and fishing beach a short drive from New York; rocky beach has sharp stones; footwear needed
off of Route 6 at 23 Potter Road Hampton, CT Phone:
Great for hiking on short or long trails; enjoying nature; a boat ramp is available
999 W. Main Street Meriden, CT Phone: 203-630-4259
149 Farms Village Road (Route 309) Simsbury, CT Phone: 860-242-1158
Wheelchair-accessible park has trout fishing, hiking, sports fields, swimming
20 Park Center Road Norwich, CT Phone: 860-823-3798
Nice urban park for walking, swimming, field sports. Park is famous for its grand rose garden.
Between Center Hill Road (Route 181) and East River Road [see map] Barkhamsted, CT Phone: 860-379-0922
Large forests offer all outdoor recreation: camping, water sports, extensive hiking trails
Howe Avenue Shelton, CT Phone: 203-735-4311
Sweet riverside park for water sports and picnicking. Easy walking trails along the river.
Route 219 Barkhamsted, CT, 06063 Phone: 860-379-3036
Water sports and a boat launch; Braille-marked walking trail
366 Hopyard Road East Haddam, CT Phone: 860-873-8566
Popular hiking and camping area with scenic picnic spots and fresh-water fishing.
4 Straits Tpk. Middlebury, CT, 06762 Phone: 203-729-8840
Day park offers water sports on the lake, picnicking, fishing, and trails for walking
Route 49 Voluntown, CT Phone: 860-376-4075
Large state forest covers all basics, camping, hiking, water sports, horseback riding, snowmobiling
Watertown Road (Route 6) Thomaston, CT Phone: 860-283-8088
Camping, trout fishing, water sports, picnicking
bounded by Livingston Street, Davis Street, State Street and the Mill River New Haven, CT Phone: 203-946-6086
Walking, fishing, paddling, picnicking, and more are done at this riverside park
Route 45 New Preston, CT Phone: 860-868-2592
Beautiful lake for swimming, paddling (car-top boating), and picnicking
Birch Road Mansfield, CT Phone:
Small park near UConn; nice for quiet walks and picnicking near brook and waterfall
Route 7 Sharon, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Wooded campgrounds; fly fishing for trout and bass in the Housatonic River
Route 185 Simsbury, CT Phone: 860-242-1158
Heulbein Tower is popular for hiking, picnicking
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