Naugatuck State Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Naugatuck State Forest |
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 Naugatuck State Forest
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | New Haven, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 4,153 acres (16.81 km2) |
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| Established | 1931 |
| Governing body | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Naugatuck State Forest |
Naugatuck State Forest is a big natural area in Connecticut. It's actually made up of five separate parts, called "blocks." These blocks are spread across several towns like Oxford, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, and Seymour. The forest was officially created in 1931. It's a great place to explore the outdoors!
Forest History
The story of Naugatuck State Forest began in 1921. A man named Harris Whittemore started buying land for it. He was a commissioner for Connecticut's forests and parks. Mr. Whittemore planned to give these lands to the state.
Sadly, he passed away in 1928 before he could make the donation. So, in 1931, his family gave nearly 2,000 acres to the state. They did this to honor his memory. Other parts of the forest were added later. The Great Hill block was the most recent addition.
A beautiful valley runs through the Naugatuck area. The Naugatuck River flows here, alongside Connecticut Route 8. This valley separates the East and West blocks of the forest. Most of the forest blocks are in the Naugatuck River area. This river flows entirely within Connecticut. It eventually joins the larger Housatonic River.
Towns in the Naugatuck Valley were settled long ago, in the early 1700s. They were typical early New England settlements. People used rivers and streams to power gristmills (for grinding grain) and other factories. You can still see many stone fences in the forest. These fences marked the edges of old farms. However, much of the forest is rocky hills, which wasn't good for farming.
Fun Activities
Naugatuck State Forest is a fantastic place for many outdoor activities. You can go fishing in its waters. Hiking is very popular, with many trails to explore. Hunting is allowed in designated areas. There are also spots for target shooting.
In winter, you can enjoy snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Mountain biking is a big draw, especially in the Quillinan Block. There are special "singletrack" trails there. These trails were built with help from the state and biking groups. People also enjoy climbing, geocaching, and trail running.
The forest has several special trails called Blue-Blazed Trails. These include the Quinnipiac Trail and the Naugatuck Trail. The Naugatuck Trail even has a special path called the Whittemore spur.
Forest Features
Each block of Naugatuck State Forest has its own unique features:
- The Eastern East Block has a spot called Beacon Cap.
- The West Block includes the High Rock area.
- Also in the West Block are the Seymour Reservoirs. These are bodies of water.
- The Mount Sanford block has Cromie Grove. It also borders the Brooksvale Recreation Area/Park.
- The Quillinan Block is known for its mountain biking trails. These include the "singletrack" White and Purple trails.
