List of Connecticut state parks facts for kids

Connecticut is home to many amazing outdoor places where you can explore nature, learn about history, and have fun! This article lists some of the best state parks, forests, and wildlife areas in Connecticut. You can find places for hiking, swimming, camping, and even spotting wildlife. Did you know that in 10 of these state parks, you can even see the Milky Way galaxy faintly at night?

Connecticut's Cool State Parks

Connecticut has many awesome state parks and reserves. They offer lots of fun activities for everyone! Here are some of the highlights:

Name	Town	County	Area		Estab- lished	River / Lake / Other	Image	What You Can Do
			acres	ha
Beaver Brook State Park	Chaplin, Windham	Windham	401	162	1955	Bibbins Pond	Pond and spillway	Great for fishing; it's right next to the Air Line State Park Trail.
Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument	North Canaan	Litchfield	12	4.9	1946		An antique stone furnace tower	See an old iron-making furnace from 1847. It's like stepping back in time!
Bigelow Hollow State Park	Union	Tolland	516	209	1949	Bigelow Pond, Mashapaug Lake	Pond mirroring green trees	You can launch a boat, go swimming, and explore the nearby Nipmuck State Forest.
Black Rock State Park	Watertown	Litchfield	444	180	1926	Black Rock Pond	Landscape with cloud-flecked sky	Enjoy camping, fishing in the pond, and hiking on the Mattatuck Trail.
Bluff Point State Park	Groton	New London	806	326	1963	Long Island Sound	Land and sea	Access the ocean, launch a boat, and visit nearby Haley Farm State Park.
Bolton Notch State Park	Bolton	Tolland	95	38	1918		Hop River State Park Trail cut	A popular spot for rock climbing!
Burr Pond State Park	Torrington	Litchfield	438	177	1949	Burr Pond	Picnic table with pond	Perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Campbell Falls State Park Reserve	Norfolk	Litchfield	102	41	1923	Whiting River	Waterfall	See a beautiful waterfall right on the Massachusetts border.
Chatfield Hollow State Park	Killingworth	Middlesex	412	167	1949		Boardwalk disappearing into foliage	A great place for swimming and fishing.
Collis P. Huntington State Park	Redding, Newtown, Bethel	Fairfield	878	355	1973		Standing bear statue	This park used to be a large estate. It has ponds for fishing and canoeing, plus many trails.
Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park	Essex	Middlesex	136	55	1969		Steam train with steam	Ride the Essex Steam Train from Essex to Chester along the Connecticut River valley.
Dart Island State Park	Middletown	Middlesex	19	7.7	1918	Connecticut River	Waterway	You can only reach this island by boat!
Day Pond State Park	Colchester	New London	180	73	1949	Day Pond	Pond	Enjoy swimming and fishing in the pond.
Dennis Hill State Park	Norfolk	Litchfield	240	97	1935		Lookout pavilion	This park was once a private estate. It offers hiking, picnicking, and amazing views.
Devil's Hopyard State Park	East Haddam	Middlesex	860	350	1919	Eightmile River	Waterfall over brown rocks	Explore a historic mill site with camping, stream fishing, and a beautiful waterfall.
Dinosaur State Park	Rocky Hill	Hartford	60	24	1968		Geodesic dome through pines	Visit a natural history museum and see real dinosaur tracks! It also has an arboretum.
Eagle Landing State Park	Haddam	Middlesex	16	6.5	2003	Connecticut River	RiverQuest boat at Eagle Landing State Park	It has a boat dock and a fishing pier. You can even watch for eagles in the winter!
Farm River State Park	East Haven	New Haven	61	25	1998	Farm River	Docks in fog	Launch a boat or go fishing here.
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park	Groton	New London	16	6.5	1953	Thames River	Landscape with river	Learn about the 1781 battle during the American Revolutionary War. There's a museum with artifacts.
Fort Trumbull State Park	New London	New London	16	6.5	2000	Long Island Sound	Landscape with stone fort	Explore a 19th-century fort with a museum and a fishing pier.
Gardner Lake State Park	Salem	New London	10	4.0	2001	Gardner Lake	Gardner Lake	Great for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Gay City State Park	Hebron	Tolland	1,569	635	1944	Blackledge River	Sun-dappled stone formation	This park has ruins of an old mill town. You can fish in the pond, swim, and camp with a youth group. It's next to Meshomasic State Forest.
Gillette Castle State Park	East Haddam	Middlesex	184	74	1943	Connecticut River	Castle-like structure against blue sky	Visit a unique castle that is now a museum. You can also camp by boat!
Haddam Meadows State Park	Haddam	Middlesex	175	71	1944	Connecticut River	Haddam Meadows State Park Entrance	Enjoy boating and fishing here.
Haley Farm State Park	Groton	New London	198	80	1970		Mountain biker on the crushed stone bike near the turn to Groton's X-Town Trail and Gibson Pond in Haley Farm State Park	This park has a great bike trail and is close to Bluff Point State Park.
Hammonasset Beach State Park	Madison	New Haven	919	372	1920		Sun setting over ocean waters	A popular beach for swimming, fishing, and camping. It also has a nature center.
Harkness Memorial State Park	Waterford	New London	116	47	1952	Long Island Sound	Estate grounds in aerial view	Explore a huge 42-room mansion that is now a museum, beautiful gardens, and go fishing.
Haystack Mountain State Park	Norfolk	Litchfield	292	118	1917		Observation tower	Climb the observation tower for amazing views!
Hopeville Pond State Park	Griswold	New London	544	220	1938	Pachaug River	Beach, Hopeville Pond	Offers camping, boating, swimming, pond fishing, and open fields for sports.
Housatonic Meadows State Park	Sharon	Litchfield	451	183	1927	Housatonic River	Vista with fall foliage	A great place for camping, canoeing, and fly fishing.
Hurd State Park	East Hampton	Middlesex	991	401	1914	Connecticut River	Connecticut River view	You can camp by boat, go mountain biking, and enjoy beautiful scenic views.
Indian Well State Park	Shelton	Fairfield	153	62	1928	Lake Housatonic	Boat launch at sunset	Go boating, swimming, fishing, and see pretty waterfalls.
Kent Falls State Park	Kent	Litchfield	307	124	1919	Falls Brook	Waterfalls with people in foreground	Famous for its stunning waterfalls and a replica covered bridge.
Kettletown State Park	Southbury	New Haven	599	242	1950	Lake Zoar	Kettletown Miller Trail	Offers camping, swimming, and fishing.
Lake Waramaug State Park	Kent	Litchfield	95	38	1920	Lake Waramaug	Lake Waramaug	You can camp, launch a car-top boat, swim, and fish.
Lamentation Mountain State Park	Berlin	Hartford	47	19	1936		Vista with greenery	Great for hiking and enjoying scenic views.
Lovers Leap State Park	New Milford	Litchfield	127	51	1971	Housatonic River	River vista	Offers beautiful scenic views of the river.
Macedonia Brook State Park	Kent	Litchfield	2,300	930	1918		Mountain vista	Enjoy camping and stream fishing in this large park.
Machimoodus State Park	East Haddam	Middlesex	300	120	1998	Salmon River	Machimoodus State Park	Good for fishing and horseback riding.
Mansfield Hollow State Park	Mansfield	Tolland	251	102	1952	Mansfield Hollow Lake	Lake and dam aerial view	You can go boating, fishing, play field sports, mountain bike, and cross-country ski.
Mashamoquet Brook State Park	Pomfret	Windham	917	371	1924		Leafy park roadway	Offers camping, swimming, and stream fishing.
Mianus River State Park	Stamford	Fairfield	94	38	2001	Mianus River	River view with rocks and trees	Great for biking, fishing, and horseback riding.
Millers Pond State Park	Durham, Haddam	Middlesex	280	110	1955	Millers Pond	Tranquil blue pond	You can go fishing, hunting, and mountain biking.
Mohawk Forest/Mohawk Mountain State Park	Cornwall, Goshen, Litchfield	Litchfield	4,016	1,625	1921		Mountain vista	This park includes the Mohawk Mountain Ski Area for winter fun.
Mooween State Park	Lebanon	New London	577	234	1989	Red Cedar Lake	Red Cedar Lake	Good for boating and fishing.
Mount Tom State Park	Litchfield, Washington, Morris	Litchfield	231	93	1915	Mount Tom Pond	Rough-hewn stone tower	Visit the historic lookout tower for great views.
Old Furnace State Park	Killingly	Windham	367	149	1918	Ross Pond	Brook and wetlands	See the site of an 18th-century iron furnace. You can also hike, boat, fish, and hunt.
Osbornedale State Park	Derby	New Haven	350	140	1956		Glacial erratic	This park used to be Osbornedale Farms. It's great for hiking and pond fishing.
Penwood State Park	Bloomfield	Hartford	787	318	1944	Lake Louise	Kettle bog waters	Hike the Metacomet Trail or go cross-country skiing.
Platt Hill State Park	Winchester	Litchfield	159	64	1960		Field and sky	Offers beautiful scenic views.
Putnam Memorial State Park	Bethel, Redding	Fairfield	183	74	1887	Lake MdDougall	Entry gate	Visit the American Revolutionary War museum, walk the interpretive trail, and youth groups can camp here.
Quaddick State Park	Thompson	Windham	116	47	1951	Quaddick Reservoir		Launch a boat, go swimming, fishing, or play field sports.
Quinnipiac River State Park	North Haven	New Haven	323	131	1951	Quinnipiac River		You can launch a car-top boat, go fishing, or hunt.
River Highlands State Park	Cromwell	Middlesex	177	72	2001	Connecticut River	River view	Great for boat camping.
Rocky Neck State Park	East Lyme	New London	710	290	1931	Long Island Sound	Long pavilion	Enjoy the beach, swimming, camping, and saltwater fishing.
Satan's Kingdom State Recreation Area	New Hartford	Litchfield	1	0.40	2012	Farmington River	Park sign	A fun place for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing on the river.
Scantic River State Park	Enfield, East Windsor, Somers	Hartford	784	317	1967	Scantic River	Scantic River	Good for fishing and hunting.
Selden Neck State Park	Lyme	New London	607	246	1917	Connecticut River		This park is only reachable by boat. You can go camping, fishing, and hunting.
Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve	Ridgefield	Fairfield	305	123	1956	Lake Naraneka	Park sign	You can launch a car-top boat and go fishing.
Sherwood Island State Park	Westport	Fairfield	238	96	1932	Long Island Sound	Beachscape	Enjoy the beach, swimming, a nature center, field sports, and saltwater fishing.
Silver Sands State Park	Milford	New Haven	297	120	1960	Long Island Sound	Beach, tombolo and island	This park has a beach for swimming and saltwater fishing.
Sleeping Giant State Park	Hamden	New Haven	1,439	582	1924		Stone lookout tower	Hike the Quinnipiac Trail, climb the lookout tower, fish in the stream, and youth groups can camp here.
Southford Falls State Park	Oxford	New Haven	126	51	1932	Eightmile Brook	Covered bridge	See waterfalls and a covered bridge. You can also fish in the pond and stream, cross-country ski, and play field sports.
Squantz Pond State Park	New Fairfield	Fairfield	172	70	1926	Squantz Pond	Pond waters	A popular spot for boating, swimming, pond fishing, and scuba diving.
Stoddard Hill State Park	Ledyard	New London	55	22	1954	Thames River		Good for boating and fishing.
Stratton Brook State Park	Simsbury	Hartford	145	59	1949	Stratton Brook	Covered bridge	You can swim, fish, bike, and cross-country ski here.
Talcott Mountain State Park	Simsbury, Avon, Bloomfield	Hartford	574	232	1965		Tower	Climb the observation tower for amazing scenic views. It's also part of the Metacomet Trail.
Wadsworth Falls State Park	Middlefield, Middletown	Middlesex	285	115	1942	Coginchaug River	Waterfall	See a beautiful waterfall, go swimming, stream fishing, and mountain biking.
West Rock Ridge State Park	Hamden, New Haven, Woodbridge, Bethany	New Haven	1,691	684	1975	Lake Wintergreen	Landscape vista	Features the Regicides Trail, scenic views, fishing, car-top boating, and horseback riding.
Wharton Brook State Park	Wallingford, North Haven	New Haven	96	39	1918	Allen Brook Pond	Allen Brook Pond in Wharton Brook SP at dusk.	Good for fishing and swimming.
Whittemore Glen State Park	Naugatuck, Middlebury	New Haven	242	98	1945		The Larkin Trail in Whittemore Glen State Park in Naugatuck Connecticut.	Popular for horseback riding and hiking.
Windsor Meadows State Park	Windsor	Hartford	155	63	1968	Connecticut River	Bissell Bridge in Windsor CT	You can launch a boat, go fishing, and bicycle here.
Wooster Mountain State Park	Danbury	Fairfield	444	180	1920		Forest trail	This park has areas for skeet, trap, and target shooting, and hunting.

Awesome State Park Trails

Connecticut has many cool trails that are great for biking, hiking, and exploring!

Name	Towns	Counties	Length		Estab- lished	Image	What You Can Do
			mi	km
Air Line State Park Trail	East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Columbia, Lebanon, Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson	Middlesex, New London, Tolland, Windham	50	80	1969	A trail intersection with bare trees and dead leaves.	This trail is nearly 50 miles long and was built on old railroad lines.
Farmington Canal State Park Trail	Cheshire, Hamden	New Haven	5.5	8.9		Stone canal lock	This trail is part of the longer Farmington Canal Trail.
Hop River State Park Trail	Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Manchester, Vernon	Hartford, Tolland	19	31		Tunnel opening onto trees and dog-walker	This 19-mile trail follows an old railroad line from Manchester to Willimantic.
Larkin State Park Trail	Southbury, Oxford, Middlebury, Naugatuck	New Haven	10	16	1943	LarkinStateParkTrail-MiddleburyCT	This is a 10-mile trail built on an old railroad line.
Moosup Valley State Park Trail	Plainfield, Sterling	Windham	6	9.7	1987	River view	This 6-mile trail also follows an old railroad line.
Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail	Windsor Locks, Suffield	Hartford	4.5	7.2		Windsor Locks Canal Trail Suffield North Trailhead Looking South	This 4.5-mile trail is great for biking and fishing along the canal.

Connecticut's State Forests

State forests are large areas of land managed for trees, wildlife, and recreation. They are perfect for hiking, hunting, and enjoying nature.

Name	Town	County	Area		Estab- lished	River / Lake / Other	Image	What You Can Do
			acres	ha
Algonquin State Forest	Colebrook, Winchester	Litchfield	2,987	1,209	1937	Sandy Brook		Great for hiking, hunting, fishing, and watching birds.
American Legion State Forest	Barkhamsted	Litchfield	893	361	1927	Farmington River	Forest with foundation stones in winter	Next to Peoples State Forest. You can hike, camp, boat, and visit a nature center.
Centennial Watershed State Forest	Redding, Easton, Newtown, Weston	Fairfield	15,370	6,220	2002	Saugatuck Reservoir	Saugatuck Reservoir from the Saugatuck Trail in Centennial Watershed State Forest	Offers hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Cockaponset State Forest	Haddam	Middlesex	17,186	6,955	1926	Pattaconk Lake	Forested trail in winter	You can go swimming, fishing, and explore many trails.
Enders State Forest	Granby	Hartford	2,105	852	1970			Good for hiking and hunting.
Housatonic State Forest	Sharon	Litchfield	10,894	4,409	1927		Iron Trail In Housatonic SF to Canaan Mtn Rd	Part of the famous Appalachian Trail runs through here.
James L. Goodwin State Forest	Hampton	Middlesex	2,003	811	1964	Pine Acres Pond	James Goodwin State Forest Pine Acres Lake Observation Deck at Boat Launch	It's on the Air Line State Park Trail. You can launch a boat, visit the Conservation Education Center, and youth groups can camp.
Mattatuck State Forest	Waterbury, Plymouth, Thomaston, Watertown, Litchfield, Harwinton	Litchfield	4,673	1,891	1925		Forested landscape	This forest is made up of twenty different sections and has trails like Hancock Brook Trail.
Meshomasic State Forest	East Hampton	Middlesex	9,026	3,653	1903		Landscape with river bends	Great for fishing, hiking, and hunting.
Mohawk State Forest	Cornwall, Goshen	Litchfield	3,743	1,515	1921	Mohawk Pond	Mountain vista	It's next to Mohawk Mountain State Park. You can find a lookout tower, fish in the pond and stream, and youth groups can camp.
Nassahegon State Forest	Burlington	Hartford	1,227	497	1942		Tunxis "White-Dot" Blue-Blazed hiking trail near Bradley Brook and CT Route 4 in Nassahegon State Forest (Burlington, Connecticut)	Home to a fish hatchery. You can also go hunting, hiking, and bird watching.
Natchaug State Forest	Eastford	Windham	13,438	5,438	1917	Natchaug River	Forested brook	Features the Natchaug Trail. Good for hiking, horseback riding, and camping.
Naugatuck State Forest	Cheshire, Hamden, Naugatuck, Oxford, Beacon Falls	New Haven	4,153	1,681	1921	Naugatuck River	Mountain vista with highway	Includes the Naugatuck Trail.
Nehantic State Forest	Lyme	New London	5,062	2,049	1925	Norwich Pond, Uncas Lake	Norwich Pond	You can go boating, swimming, and hiking.
Nepaug State Forest	New Hartford	Litchfield	1,373	556	1927		Farmington River Bank And River Road In Nepaug State Forest	Great for hiking, biking, fishing, and camping.
Nipmuck State Forest	Union	Tolland	9,209	3,727	1905	Breakneck Pond	Frozen pond	Next to Bigelow Hollow State Park. It has a beautiful Mountain Laurel Sanctuary and the Nipmuck Trail.
Nye-Holman State Forest	Tolland	Tolland	787	318	1931	Willimantic River	Nye Holman State Forest	Good for fishing, hiking, and youth group camping.
Pachaug State Forest	Voluntown, Griswold, Plainfield, Sterling, North Stonington, Preston	New London	28,804	11,657	1928	Pachaug River	Forested boardwalk	Offers camping, boating, horseback riding, and even a motorcycle trail.
Paugussett State Forest	Newtown	Fairfield	1,947	788		Housatonic River	LillinonahTrail PondBrookInlet	You can launch a boat, go fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.
Peoples State Forest	Barkhamsted	Litchfield	3,059	1,238	1924	Farmington River	Peoples State Forest Museum	Next to American Legion State Forest. You can visit the Barkhamsted Lighthouse.
Pootatuck State Forest	New Fairfield	Fairfield	1,103	446		Squantz Pond	Squantz Pond and Candlewood Lake from scenic outlook on Pootatuck State Forest Blue Trail	You can get to this forest through Squantz Pond State Park.
Salmon River State Forest	Hebron, Marlborough, Colchester, East Haddam, East Hampton	Middlesex, New London	6,905	2,794	1934	Salmon River	Winter forest vista with river	Features the historic Comstock's Bridge.
Shenipsit State Forest	Stafford, Somers, Ellington	Tolland	6,962	2,817	1927		Forest vista with rising mist	This forest has 11 sections. It features the Shenipsit Trail and a Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.
Topsmead State Forest	Litchfield	Litchfield	615	249	1972		Topsmead State Forest	Visit the historic house museum that was once the estate of Edith Morton Chase.
Tunxis State Forest	East Hartland, Granby	Hartford	5,519	2,233	1923	Barkhamsted Reservoir	Massachusetts-Connecticut border marker on northern border of Tunxis State Forest in Hartland (near northern end of Pell Road	This forest meets Granville State Forest in Massachusetts.

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

Wildlife Management Areas are special places set aside to protect animals and their homes. You can often go hunting, fishing, and watch wildlife in these areas.

Name	Town	County	Area		Established	River / Lake / Other	Image	What You Can Do
			acres	ha
Aldo Leopold Wildlife Management Area	Southbury	New Haven	554	224		Housatonic River, Lake Lillinonah		This is a forest area. You can find limited parking on certain roads nearby.
Assekonk Swamp Wildlife Management Area	North Stonington	New London	963	280		Assekonk Swamp		This area is a swamp. Limited parking is available off CT-184.
Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area	East Haddam, Colchester	Middlesex, New London	1524	617		Babcock Pond		This WMA has swamps, forests, and a pond. Parking is off Myles Standish Road.
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area	Stonington	New London	1013	410		Little Narragansett Bay		This area features marshes. You can park at the Barn Island Boat Launch.
Bartlett Brook Wildlife Management Area	Lebanon	New London	687	278		Bartlett Brook and Exeter Brook.		Explore streams, old stone foundations, fields, and trails.
Candlewood Hill Wildlife Management Area	Groton	New London	201	81				This WMA has swamps, streams, forests, and cool rock formations called glacial erratics.
Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area	Milford	New Haven	625	253	1955	Housatonic River, Long Island Sound	Swans at high tide in Charles E. Wheeler WMA	A great place to observe wildlife, especially birds.
Charter Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary	Tolland	Tolland	240	97		Skungamaug Marsh (lake) and Skungamaug River.		This sanctuary protects a marsh, river, and pond.
Roraback Wildlife Management Area	Harwinton	Litchfield	1976	800		Leadmine Brook		This area has fields, swamps, and ponds.
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area	Burlington	Hartford					Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area Tree ID Trail	Visit the Conservation Education Center, walk interpretive trails, and learn about wildlife.

Other State-Owned Areas

These are other interesting places owned by the state that offer unique experiences.

Images for kids

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  Graffiti on cinderblock building

See also

• List of U.S. national parks