Devil's Den Preserve facts for kids
The Devil's Den Preserve is a large and beautiful nature area in Weston and Redding, Connecticut. It covers about 1,746 acres (7 square kilometers) of land. This makes it the biggest nature preserve in Fairfield County, Connecticut and one of the largest in the wider New York metropolitan area.
The preserve gets its interesting name from an old local story. People who used to make charcoal in this hilly, rocky area believed that a hoof-shaped mark found on a big rock looked like a footprint left by the Devil.
Devil's Den is a very popular spot, managed by the Connecticut branch of the Nature Conservancy. About 40,000 people visit it every year! You can find the main entrance at the end of Pent Road in Weston. The preserve is open from when the sun comes up until it sets.
The New Canaan Nature Center often hosts fun programs and guided hikes within the preserve. There are about 20 miles (32 kilometers) of trails to explore, and you can pick up maps at the Pent Road parking area.
This special place is also part of the watershed for the West Branch of the Saugatuck River. It's also connected to a much larger 70-mile (113 km) trail system known as the "Saugatuck Valley Trails System."
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Nature's Wonders at Devil's Den
Devil's Den is home to a huge variety of plants and animals. It's a great place to see nature up close.
Plants and Flowers
You can find more than 500 different kinds of trees and wildflowers here. Some of the unique flowers include the beautiful pink lady's slipper, the bright red cardinal flower, and the ghostly white Indian pipe.
Animals and Birds
The preserve is also a habitat for many animals. You might spot a red fox, a shy bobcat, or a clever coyote. There are also snakes, like the eastern copperhead snake. Birdwatchers will love it here, with over 140 different bird species. Look for the colorful wood duck, the camouflaged ruffed grouse, and the impressive pileated woodpecker.
A Glimpse into History
Devil's Den has a long and interesting past, with evidence of human activity going back thousands of years.
Early Uses
People have used this area for hunting for at least 5,000 years. This is known from old tools and other items found by archaeologists. In the 1800s, the preserve was a center for making lumber and charcoal. There was even a sawmill located below Godfrey Pond.
Revolutionary War Refuge
During the American Revolutionary War, from April 25 to April 27, 1777, something exciting happened. It's believed that people from Redding and Weston hid in Devil's Den. They were trying to escape British soldiers who were marching through the area. The British troops were on their way to destroy a military supply depot in Danbury, Connecticut.
How the Preserve Began
The Devil's Den Preserve was officially created thanks to a woman named Katharine Ordway. She bought about 1,100 acres (4.5 square kilometers) of land in 1966. Over the next two years, she added even more land to create the large preserve we know today.
41°14′11″N 73°23′46″W / 41.2365°N 73.3960°W
