West Rock Ridge State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Rock Ridge State Park |
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Judges' Cave
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 West Rock Ridge State Park
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Hamden, New Haven & Woodbridge, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 1,691 acres (6.84 km2) |
| Elevation | 318 ft (97 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1975 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | West Rock Ridge State Park |
West Rock Ridge State Park is a fun outdoor area in New Haven, Hamden, and Woodbridge, Connecticut. This park is named after the amazing West Rock Ridge. This ridge is made of a special rock called trap rock and is about 400-to-700-foot (120 to 210 m) tall.
West Rock Ridge is part of a longer chain of hills called the Metacomet Ridge. This ridge stretches all the way from Long Island Sound up to the Vermont border. The park has cool cliffs that face west. From these cliffs, you can see awesome views of New Haven and the towns nearby. Inside the park, you'll find a historic spot called Judges Cave and a pretty lake called Lake Wintergreen. There's also a 7-mile (11 km) path called the Regicides Trail. This trail is part of a bigger system of paths for hiking.
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Exploring West Rock Ridge State Park
West Rock Ridge is mostly made of a rock called diabase. It's very similar to another rock formation nearby called East Rock. The ridge runs north from New Haven and forms a natural border between the towns of Woodbridge and Hamden.
Lakes and Tunnels
Around the ridge, you'll find several lakes like Konolds Pond, Lake Dawson, and Lake Watrous on its west side. Lake Wintergreen is on the east side. The ridge itself is about 6 miles (9.7 km) long. A special tunnel, called Heroes Tunnel, was built right through West Rock. This tunnel helps the Wilbur Cross Parkway pass through the area.
A Look Back in Time: History of West Rock
West Rock has a very interesting history! Back in the 1600s, it was a secret hiding place for two men named Edward Whalley and William Goffe. They were judges who had made King Charles II angry. They had to leave England and came to New Haven to hide.
Judges Cave and the Regicides Trail
The rocky hideout they used is now called Judges Cave. You can even visit it! The Regicides Trail is also named after these judges, reminding us of their story.
The park started small in 1826 when a man named Elijah Thompson gave 50 acres of land to New Haven to create a city park. Later, in 1975, the state of Connecticut took over the park. This is when it officially became West Rock Ridge State Park. In 2003, a new rule was made to help the state buy more land around West Rock Ridge. This helps make the park even bigger and protects more of this beautiful area.
Fun Things to Do at West Rock Ridge State Park
There are many cool things to do and see at West Rock Ridge State Park!
Amazing Views from the Overlook
The South Overlook is at the very southern end of the park. From here, you can see incredible views in many directions. You can spot Sleeping Giant State Park and East Rock Park. You'll also see the city of New Haven, its harbor, Long Island Sound, and even Long Island in the distance!
Trails for Adventure
The park has about 21 miles (34 km) of marked trails for you to explore.
- The main trail is the 7-mile (11 km) Regicides Trail. It runs along the top of the ridge.
- The Red Trail goes along the east side of West Rock Ridge.
- The White Trail follows the shore of Lake Wintergreen.
There are also many shorter trails that connect these main paths. You can find the main starting point for trails and parking at Lake Wintergreen on Wintergreen Avenue in Hamden. Other places to start your adventure are on Hill Street, Mountain Road, Connecticut Route 69, and right inside the park at Judges Cave and the South Overlook.
Other Activities to Enjoy
Besides hiking, you can also enjoy:
- Bicycling
- Fishing
- Boating (with small boats you can carry)
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Cross-country skiing in winter
- Rock climbing
A road in the park goes to Judges Cave and the South Overlook. It's open for cars during certain times of the year. Another road, Baldwin Drive, goes along the top of the ridge north of Judges Cave. This road is only for walking, biking, or horseback riding. It's free to enter the park and use the park roads. You'll find picnic tables and a covered area at the South Overlook, perfect for a snack break!
