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Nehantic State Forest
NehanticSF Picnic.jpg
Picnic area at Uncas Pond
Nehantic State Forest is located in Connecticut
Nehantic State Forest
Nehantic State Forest
Location in Connecticut
Location New London, Connecticut, United States
Area 5,062 acres (20.49 km2)
Elevation 285 ft (87 m)
Established 1926 (1926)
Governing body Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Website Nehantic State Forest

Nehantic State Forest is a large public forest in Connecticut, USA. It's a great place for outdoor fun and learning about nature. This forest covers about 5,062 acres (that's over 2,000 football fields!). It's split into two main parts. One part is in the town of Lyme. The other part is in East Lyme and Salem.

The forest is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. They help keep it healthy for plants, animals, and people. They sometimes do special things like controlled burns and timber harvesting. These actions help new trees grow and keep the forest strong. Nehantic State Forest was first created in 1926. It was the very first state forest in New London County.

Fun Things to Do in Nehantic State Forest

Nehantic State Forest offers many cool activities for visitors. You can explore the outdoors and enjoy nature.

Hiking and Exploring Trails

The forest has many trails perfect for hiking. You can walk through the woods and see different trees and plants. One important trail system is the Blue-Blazed Nayantaquit Trail. These trails make it easy to get around the Lyme part of the forest.

Water Activities at the Ponds

The Lyme section of the forest has two beautiful ponds.

  • Uncas Pond is about 69 acres big.
  • Norwich Pond is about 30 acres big.

Both ponds have places where you can launch a boat. You can go boating or swimming in these ponds. They are connected by a stream called Falls Brook. This stream flows near Becket Hill State Park Reserve.

Other Outdoor Adventures

Besides hiking and boating, you can also enjoy other activities.

  • Picnicking: There are nice spots to have a picnic with your family or friends.
  • Hunting: In certain seasons, hunting is allowed in specific areas. This helps manage the animal populations.

Nehantic State Forest is a wonderful place to spend time outdoors. It's a great spot to connect with nature and have an adventure!

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