List of National Natural Landmarks in Connecticut facts for kids

Connecticut is home to some amazing natural places! These special spots are called National Natural Landmarks. They show us the cool history of Connecticut's land and nature. This includes things left behind by glaciers, like bogs and old forests. You can even find well-preserved dinosaur tracks here!

Bartholomew's Cobble

Bartholomew's Cobble is known for its many plant species.

Bartholomew's Cobble became a National Natural Landmark in 1971. It's mostly in Massachusetts but touches Canaan, Connecticut. This area is a special nature preserve. It has over 800 types of plants! It's famous for having the most kinds of ferns in North America. You can visit Bartholomew's Cobble. It has hiking trails and a visitor center.

Beckley Bog

Beckley Bog is a unique type of wetland.

Beckley Bog was named a landmark in 1977. It is located in Norfolk. This bog is very special. It's the southernmost "Sphagnum-heath-black spruce bog" in New England. A bog is a type of wetland with lots of moss and specific plants. The Nature Conservancy bought this land in 1956 to protect it.

Bingham Pond Bog

Bingham Pond Bog became a landmark in 1973. You can find it in Salisbury. This bog is quite rare. It's an "undisturbed northern black spruce bog." This means it's a very natural wetland with black spruce trees. What makes it extra unique is that it doesn't have the common Sphagnum moss.

Cathedral Pines

Cathedral Pines once had very tall white pine and hemlock trees.

Cathedral Pines was recognized in 1982. It's in Cornwall. This area used to be a huge forest. It had very old white pine and hemlock trees. The Nature Conservancy owned this beautiful forest. Sadly, most of it was destroyed by tornadoes in 1989.

Chester Cedar Swamp

A path leading through the Chester Cedar Swamp.

Chester Cedar Swamp became a landmark in 1973. It is located in Chester. This swamp is famous for its "Atlantic white cedar" trees. It's part of the larger Cockaponset State Forest. Swamps are wetlands with trees, and this one has a special kind of cedar.

Dinosaur Trackway

Dinosaur footprints preserved in stone at Dinosaur State Park.

The Dinosaur Trackway was named a landmark in 1968. It's in Rocky Hill. This is one of the biggest dinosaur track sites in North America! You can see amazing fossil tracks here. These tracks were made by dinosaurs about 200 million years ago. They are preserved in sandstone from the early Jurassic period.

McLean Game Refuge Natural Areas

The McLean Game Refuge has diverse plants and animals.

McLean Game Refuge Natural Areas became a landmark in 1973. It's found in Granby. This refuge covers about 4,400 acres of forest. It has many different types of plants and animals. You can also see signs of past glacial activity here. This shows how glaciers shaped the land long ago.

Pachaug-Great Meadow Swamp

A boardwalk through a swampy area in Pachaug State Forest.

Pachaug-Great Meadow Swamp was recognized in 1973. It's located in Voluntown. This swamp is known for its "Atlantic white cedar" trees. It's part of the Pachaug State Forest. The area also includes parts of the Pachaug River and the Great Meadow Brook.