Squantz Pond State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Squantz Pond State Park |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Squantz Pond State Park
Location in Connecticut
|
|
| Location | New Fairfield, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 172 acres (70 ha) |
| Elevation | 459 ft (140 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1926 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Squantz Pond State Park |
Squantz Pond State Park is a fun place for outdoor activities! It's a public park located about 10 miles north of Danbury, Connecticut. You can find it in the town of New Fairfield.
This state park covers 172 acres. It sits on the southwestern side of Squantz Pond, which is a 270-acre body of water. The park is a great spot for boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking. To the west, it touches the Pootatuck State Forest. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection takes care of the park.
Park History
Squantz Pond State Park was created a long time ago, in 1926. This happened when the state bought a 138-acre farm. Both the pond and the park get their name from Chief Squantz. He was an important leader of the Schaghticoke tribe.
Things to Do at the Park
Squantz Pond State Park offers many cool activities for visitors. You can go swimming in the pond on a hot day. It's also a popular spot for fishing. If you like exploring underwater, you can even go scuba diving!
For those who love being on the water, there's a launch for motorized boats. You can also rent canoes and kayaks if you don't have your own. The park has nice picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal outdoors. There's even a nature center to learn more about the local environment.
Hiking Trails
The park has several trails for hiking and exploring. These trails also connect to the nearby Pootatuck State Forest.
- Main Trail: This trail starts from the north end of the picnic area. It follows the western edge of Squantz Pond for about 2 miles. The trail leads to a peninsula that sticks out into the lake. From this spot, you get an amazing, clear view of the entire pond.
- Green Trail: This trail heads north towards Worden Brook. It then turns southwest, passing the start of the yellow trail. The green trail then turns east, connecting back to the southern part of the yellow trail. You can take a shortcut on the yellow trail to make the green trail loop shorter.
- Unmarked Shoreline Trail: There's also a trail that runs along the western shoreline of Squantz Pond. You might still see old reddish-brown markers along the way. This trail goes right next to the water. It passes through areas with many hemlock trees. You'll see fast-flowing streams splashing down to the lake. There are also interesting rock formations to discover. About halfway along this trail, you'll find an open area with a rock. This is a great spot to look back at the beach at Squantz Pond State Park. Along this path, a red-blazed trail comes down a steep hill from Pootatuck Mountain. The shoreline trail ends near Worden Brook. From there, you can find your way south to the main trail.
