List of Connecticut state parks
Connecticut’s 106 State Parks
This is a list of state parks , reserves, forests and wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the Connecticut state park and forest system, shown in five tables. The first table lists state parks and reserves, the second lists state park trails, the third lists state forests , the fourth lists Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and the fifth lists other state-owned, recreation-related areas. It is possible to faintly view the Milky Way in 10 state parks.[1]
Connecticut state parks
Name
Town
County
Area[2]
Estab- lished
River / lake / other
Image
Remarks
acres
ha
Above All State Park
Warren
Litchfield
31
13
1927
Undeveloped site with Cold War defense installation remnants
Auerfarm State Park Scenic Reserve
Bloomfield
Hartford
40
16
2015
Farmland gifted to state
Beaver Brook State Park
Chaplin , Windham
Windham
401
162
1955
Bibbins Pond
Fishing; abuts Air Line State Park Trail
Becket Hill State Park Reserve
Lyme
New London
260
110
1961
Uncas Pond
Adjacent to Nehantic State Forest
Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument
North Canaan
Litchfield
12
4.9
1946
Historic iron-making furnace dating from 1847
Bennett's Pond State Park
Ridgefield , Danbury
Fairfield
460
190
2002
Former estate and nursery called Outpost Farm
Bigelow Hollow State Park
Union
Tolland
516
209
1949
Bigelow Pond, Mashapaug Lake
Adjoins Nipmuck State Forest and borders Mashapaug Lake ; boat launch, swimming
Black Rock State Park
Watertown
Litchfield
444
180
1926
Black Rock Pond
Camping, pond fishing, Mattatuck Trail
Bluff Point State Park
Groton
New London
806
326
1963
Long Island Sound
Ocean access, boat launch; near Haley Farm State Park
Bolton Notch State Park
Bolton
Tolland
95
38
1918
Rock climbing
Brainard Homestead State Park
East Haddam
Middlesex
25
10
1929
Undeveloped
Burr Pond State Park
Torrington
Litchfield
438
177
1949
Burr Pond
Boating, fishing, swimming
Camp Columbia State Park/State Forest
Morris
Litchfield
600
240
2000
Former rural campus of Columbia University Engineering Department
Campbell Falls State Park Reserve
Norfolk
Litchfield
102
41
1923
Whiting River
On the Massachusetts border
Chatfield Hollow State Park
Killingworth
Middlesex
412
167
1949
Swimming, fishing
Collis P. Huntington State Park
Redding , Newtown , Bethel
Fairfield
878
355
1973
Former estate with ponds for fishing and canoeing and multipurpose trails
Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park
Essex
Middlesex
136
55
1969
Essex Steam Train from Essex to Chester up the Connecticut River valley
Dart Island State Park
Middletown
Middlesex
19
7.7
1918
Connecticut River
Accessible by water only
Day Pond State Park
Colchester
New London
180
73
1949
Day Pond
Swimming, pond fishing
Dennis Hill State Park
Norfolk
Litchfield
240
97
1935
Former estate with hiking, picnicking and scenic views
Devil's Hopyard State Park
East Haddam
Middlesex
860
350
1919
Eightmile River
Historic millsite with camping, stream fishing, waterfall
Dinosaur State Park
Rocky Hill
Hartford
60
24
1968
Natural history museum, arboretum
Eagle Landing State Park
Haddam
Middlesex
16
6.5
2003
Connecticut River
Boat dock, fishing pier, winter eagle viewing
Farm River State Park
East Haven
New Haven
61
25
1998
Farm River
Boat launch, fishing
Ferry Landing State Park
Old Lyme
New London
1
0.40
Unknown
Connecticut River
Boat launch, fishing, Crabbing
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Groton
New London
16
6.5
1953
Thames River
Site of the 1781 massacre led by Benedict Arnold ; American Revolutionary War museum and artifacts
Fort Trumbull State Park
New London
New London
16
6.5
2000
Long Island Sound
19th-century fort with museum, fishing pier
Gardner Lake State Park
Salem
New London
10
4.0
2001
Gardner Lake
Boating, fishing, swimming
Gay City State Park
Hebron
Tolland
1,569
635
1944
Blackledge River
Former mill-town ruins; pond fishing, swimming, youth group camping; bordered by Meshomasic State Forest
George Dudley Seymour State Park
Haddam
Middlesex
222
90
1960
Connecticut River
Abuts Hurd State Park and Higganum Meadows Wildlife Area; fishing, hunting
George Waldo State Park
Southbury
New Haven
150
61
1960
Lake Lillinonah
Undeveloped; multi-use trails
Gillette Castle State Park
East Haddam
Middlesex
184
74
1943
Connecticut River
Castle house museum; boat camping
Haddam Island State Park
Haddam
Middlesex
14
5.7
1944
Connecticut River
Accessible only by boat
Haddam Meadows State Park
Haddam
Middlesex
175
71
1944
Connecticut River
Boating, fishing
Haley Farm State Park
Groton
New London
198
80
1970
Bike trail, near Bluff Point State Park
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Madison
New Haven
919
372
1920
Beach, swimming, fishing, camping, nature center, carry-in boating
Harkness Memorial State Park
Waterford
New London
116
47
1952
Long Island Sound
42-room mansion museum, formal gardens, fishing
Haystack Mountain State Park
Norfolk
Litchfield
292
118
1917
Observation tower
Higganum Reservoir State Park
Haddam
Middlesex
147
59
1955
Higganum Reservoir
Car-top boating, fishing, hunting
Hopemead State Park
Bozrah , Montville
New London
70
28
1954
Gardner Lake
Fishing, hiking
Hopeville Pond State Park
Griswold
New London
544
220
1938
Pachaug River
Camping, boating, swimming, pond fishing, field sports
Horse Guard State Park
Avon
Hartford
105
42
1964
Undeveloped
Housatonic Meadows State Park
Sharon
Litchfield
451
183
1927
Housatonic River
Camping, canoeing, fly fishing
Humaston Brook State Park
Litchfield
Litchfield
141
57
1920
Fishing
Hurd State Park
East Hampton
Middlesex
991
401
1914
Connecticut River
Boat camping, mountain biking, scenic views
Indian Well State Park
Shelton
Fairfield
153
62
1928
Lake Housatonic
Boating, swimming, fishing, waterfalls
John A. Minetto State Park
Torrington
Litchfield
715
289
1965
Pond and stream fishing, cross-country skiing
Kent Falls State Park
Kent
Litchfield
307
124
1919
Falls Brook
Waterfalls, replica covered bridge
Kettletown State Park
Southbury
New Haven
599
242
1950
Lake Zoar
Camping, swimming, fishing
Killingly Pond State Park
Killingly
Windham
162
66
Killingly Pond
Boating, fishing
Lake Waramaug State Park
Kent
Litchfield
95
38
1920
Lake Waramaug
Camping, car-top boating, swimming, fishing
Lamentation Mountain State Park
Berlin
Hartford
47
19
1936
Hiking, scenic vistas
Lovers Leap State Park
New Milford
Litchfield
127
51
1971
Housatonic River
Scenic river vistas
Macedonia Brook State Park
Kent
Litchfield
2,300
930
1918
Camping, stream fishing
Machimoodus State Park
East Haddam
Middlesex
300
120
1998
Salmon River
Fishing, horseback riding
Mansfield Hollow State Park
Mansfield
Tolland
251
102
1952
Mansfield Hollow Lake
Boating, fishing, field sports, mountain biking, cross-country skiing
Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Pomfret
Windham
917
371
1924
Camping, swimming, stream fishing
Mianus River State Park
Stamford
Fairfield
94
38
2001
Mianus River
Biking, fishing, horseback riding
Millers Pond State Park
Durham , Haddam
Middlesex
280
110
1955
Millers Pond
Fishing, hunting, mountain biking
Minnie Island State Park
Salem , Montville
New London
1
0.40
1925
Gardner Lake
Boating, fishing, accessible only by boat
Mohawk Forest/Mohawk Mountain State Park
Cornwall , Goshen , Litchfield
Litchfield
4,016
1,625
1921
Includes Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
Mono Pond State Park Reserve
Columbia
Tolland
218
88
2008
Mono Pond
Boating, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing
Mooween State Park
Lebanon
New London
577
234
1989
Red Cedar Lake
Boating, fishing
Mount Bushnell State Park
Washington
Litchfield
214
87
1916
Hiking
Mount Riga State Park
Salisbury
Litchfield
276
112
1954
Hiking
Mount Tom State Park
Litchfield , Washington , Morris
Litchfield
231
93
1915
Mount Tom Pond
Historic lookout tower
Nathaniel Lyon Memorial State Park
Eastford
Windham
1920
Located in Natchaug State Forest
Old Furnace State Park
Killingly
Windham
367
149
1918
Ross Pond
Site of an 18th-century iron furnace; hiking, boating, fishing, hunting
Osbornedale State Park
Derby
New Haven
350
140
1956
Former Osbornedale Farms; hiking, pond fishing
Penwood State Park
Bloomfield
Hartford
787
318
1944
Lake Louise
Metacomet Trail , hiking, cross-country skiing
Platt Hill State Park
Winchester
Litchfield
159
64
1960
Scenic vistas
Pomeroy State Park
Lebanon
New London
200
81
1953
Undeveloped; hiking, hunting
Putnam Memorial State Park
Bethel , Redding
Fairfield
183
74
1887
Lake MdDougall
American Revolutionary War museum, interpretive trail, youth group camping
Quaddick State Park
Thompson
Windham
116
47
1951
Quaddick Reservoir
Boat launch, swimming, fishing, field sports
Quinebaug Lake State Park
Killingly
Windham
181
73
1964
Quinebaug Lake
Boating, fishing
Quinnipiac River State Park
North Haven
New Haven
323
131
1951
Quinnipiac River
Car-top boating, fishing, hunting
River Highlands State Park
Cromwell
Middlesex
177
72
2001
Connecticut River
Boat camping
Rocky Glen State Park
Newtown
Fairfield
46
19
1943
Pootatuck River
Hiking
Rocky Neck State Park
East Lyme
New London
710
290
1931
Long Island Sound
Beach, swimming, camping, saltwater fishing
Ross Pond State Park
Killingly
Windham
314
127
1964
Ross Pond
Boating, fishing, hunting
Salt Rock State Campground
Sprague
New London
149
60
2001
Shetucket River
Camping, fishing, pool swimming, access to Shetucket River
Satan's Kingdom State Recreation Area
New Hartford
Litchfield
1
0.40
2012
Farmington River
Canoeing, kayaking, tubing
Scantic River State Park
Enfield , East Windsor , Somers
Hartford
784
317
1967
Scantic River
Fishing, hunting
Selden Neck State Park
Lyme
New London
607
246
1917
Connecticut River
Accessible only by boat; camping, fishing, hunting
Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve
Ridgefield
Fairfield
305
123
1956
Lake Naraneka
Car-top boating, fishing
Seaside State Park
Waterford
New London
36
15
2014
Long Island Sound
Sanatorium remains, fishing
Sherwood Island State Park
Westport
Fairfield
238
96
1932
Long Island Sound
Beach, swimming, nature center, field sports, saltwater fishing
Silver Sands State Park
Milford
New Haven
297
120
1960
Long Island Sound
Beach, swimming, saltwater fishing
Sleeping Giant State Park
Hamden
New Haven
1,439
582
1924
Quinnipiac Trail , lookout tower, stream fishing, youth group camping
Southford Falls State Park
Oxford
New Haven
126
51
1932
Eightmile Brook
Waterfalls, covered bridge, pond and stream fishing, cross-country skiing, field sports
Squantz Pond State Park
New Fairfield
Fairfield
172
70
1926
Squantz Pond
Boating, swimming, pond fishing, scuba diving
Stillwater Pond State Park
Torrington
Litchfield
226
91
Stillwater Pond
Boating, fishing
Stoddard Hill State Park
Ledyard
New London
55
22
1954
Thames River
Boating, fishing
Stratton Brook State Park
Simsbury
Hartford
145
59
1949
Stratton Brook
Swimming, fishing, biking, cross-country skiing
Sunnybrook State Park
Torrington
Litchfield
464
188
1970
Naugatuck River
Fishing, hunting
Sunrise State Park
East Haddam
Middlesex
143
58
2009
Salmon River
Undeveloped
Talcott Mountain State Park
Simsbury , Avon , Bloomfield
Hartford
574
232
1965
Observation tower, scenic vistas, Metacomet Trail
Tri-Mountain State Park
Durham , Wallingford
Middlesex , New Haven
157
64
1925
Hiking
Trout Brook Valley State Park Reserve
Easton
Fairfield
300
120
1999
Hiking
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Middlefield , Middletown
Middlesex
285
115
1942
Coginchaug River
Waterfall, swimming, stream fishing, mountain biking
West Rock Ridge State Park
Hamden , New Haven , Woodbridge , Bethany
New Haven
1,691
684
1975
Lake Wintergreen
Features the Regicides Trail , scenic vistas, fishing, car-top boating, horseback riding
Wharton Brook State Park
Wallingford , North Haven
New Haven
96
39
1918
Allen Brook Pond
Allen Brook Pond in Wharton Brook SP at dusk.
Fishing, swimming
Whittemore Glen State Park
Naugatuck , Middlebury
New Haven
242
98
1945
Horseback riding, hiking
Windsor Meadows State Park
Windsor
Hartford
155
63
1968
Connecticut River
Boat launch, fishing, bicycling
Wooster Mountain State Park
Danbury
Fairfield
444
180
1920
Skeet, trap and target shooting, hunting
Connecticut state park trails
Name
Towns
Counties
Length
Estab- lished
Image
Remarks
mi
km
Air Line State Park Trail
East Hampton , Colchester , Hebron , Columbia , Lebanon , Windham , Chaplin , Hampton , Pomfret , Putnam , Thompson
Middlesex , New London , Tolland , Windham
50
80
1969
Nearly fifty miles of converted rail-trail
Farmington Canal State Park Trail
Cheshire , Hamden
New Haven
5.5
8.9
Part of the Farmington Canal Trail
Hop River State Park Trail
Andover , Bolton , Columbia , Coventry , Manchester , Vernon
Hartford , Tolland
19
31
Nineteen miles of rail-trail from Manchester to Willimantic
Larkin State Park Trail
Southbury , Oxford , Middlebury , Naugatuck
New Haven
10
16
1943
Ten-mile-long rail-trail
Moosup Valley State Park Trail
Plainfield , Sterling
Windham
6
9.7
1987
Six miles of rail-trail
Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail
Windsor Locks , Suffield
Hartford
4.5
7.2
4.5 mile bike trail, fishing along the canal
Connecticut state forests
Name
Town
County
Area[2]
Estab- lished
River / lake / other
Image
Remarks
acres
ha
Algonquin State Forest
Colebrook , Winchester
Litchfield
2,987
1,209
1937
Sandy Brook
Hiking, hunting, fishing, bird watching
American Legion State Forest
Barkhamsted
Litchfield
893
361
1927
Farmington River
Adjacent to Peoples State Forest ; hiking, camping, boating, nature center
Camp Columbia State Park/State Forest
Morris
Litchfield
601
243
2000
Historic college campus; hiking, hunting
Centennial Watershed State Forest
Redding , Easton , Newtown , Weston
Fairfield
15,370
6,220
2002
Saugatuck Reservoir
Hiking, hunting, fishing
Cockaponset State Forest
Haddam
Middlesex
17,186
6,955
1926
Pattaconk Lake
Swimming, fishing, trails
Enders State Forest
Granby
Hartford
2,105
852
1970
Hiking, hunting
Housatonic State Forest
Sharon
Litchfield
10,894
4,409
1927
Appalachian Trail
James L. Goodwin State Forest
Hampton
Middlesex
2,003
811
1964
Pine Acres Pond
Air Line State Park Trail , boat launch, Conservation Education Center, youth group camping, Natchaug Trail
Massacoe State Forest
Simsbury
Hartford
503
204
1908
Great Pond
Bike trail
Mattatuck State Forest
Waterbury , Plymouth , Thomaston , Watertown , Litchfield , Harwinton
Litchfield
4,673
1,891
1925
Twenty different parcels; Hancock Brook Trail , Whitestone Cliffs Trail
Meshomasic State Forest
East Hampton
Middlesex
9,026
3,653
1903
Fishing, hiking, hunting
Mohawk State Forest
Cornwall , Goshen
Litchfield
3,743
1,515
1921
Mohawk Pond
Adjoins Mohawk Mountain State Park; lookout tower, pond and stream fishing, youth group camping, skiing
Mohegan State Forest
Scotland
Middlesex
956
387
1960
Hiking, hunting
Nassahegon State Forest
Burlington
Hartford
1,227
497
1942
Fish hatchery; hunting, hiking, bird watching
Natchaug State Forest
Eastford
Windham
13,438
5,438
1917
Natchaug River
Natchaug Trail ; hiking, horseback riding, camping
Nathan Hale State Forest
Andover
Tolland
1,455
589
1946
Hiking, hunting
Naugatuck State Forest
Cheshire , Hamden , Naugatuck , Oxford , Beacon Falls
New Haven
4,153
1,681
1921
Naugatuck River
Includes the Naugatuck Trail
Nehantic State Forest
Lyme
New London
5,062
2,049
1925
Norwich Pond, Uncas Lake
Boating, swimming, hiking
Nepaug State Forest
New Hartford
Litchfield
1,373
556
1927
Hiking, biking, fishing, camping
Nipmuck State Forest
Union
Tolland
9,209
3,727
1905
Breakneck Pond
Adjoins Bigelow Hollow State Park , features Mountain Laurel Sanctuary, Nipmuck Trail
Nye-Holman State Forest
Tolland
Tolland
787
318
1931
Willimantic River
Fishing, hiking, youth group camping
Pachaug State Forest
Voluntown , Griswold , Plainfield , Sterling , North Stonington , Preston
New London
28,804
11,657
1928
Pachaug River
Camping, boating, horseback riding, youth group camping, motorcycle trail
Paugnut State Forest
Torrington , Winchester
Litchfield
1,644
665
1929
Spread out over four locations; abuts Burr Pond and Sunnybrook state parks
Paugussett State Forest
Newtown
Fairfield
1,947
788
Housatonic River
Boat launch, fishing, hiking, mountain biking
Peoples State Forest
Barkhamsted
Litchfield
3,059
1,238
1924
Farmington River
Adjacent to American Legion State Forest ; Barkhamsted Lighthouse
Pootatuck State Forest
New Fairfield
Fairfield
1,103
446
Squantz Pond
Access is through Squantz Pond State Park
Quaddick State Forest
Thompson
Windham
1,109
449
Quaddick Reservoir
Youth group camping
Salmon River State Forest
Hebron , Marlborough , Colchester , East Haddam , East Hampton
Middlesex , New London
6,905
2,794
1934
Salmon River
Features Comstock's Bridge
Shenipsit State Forest
Stafford , Somers , Ellington
Tolland
6,962
2,817
1927
Features 11 parcels spread over nearly 7,000 acres, Shenipsit Trail , Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Topsmead State Forest
Litchfield
Litchfield
615
249
1972
Features historic house museum estate of Edith Morton Chase
Tunxis State Forest
East Hartland , Granby
Hartford
5,519
2,233
1923
Barkhamsted Reservoir
Meets Granville State Forest in Massachusetts
Wyantenock State Forest
Cornwall , Kent , Warren
Litchfield
4,083
1,652
1925
Nine different parcels, none developed for recreation
Connecticut Wildlife Management Areas
Name
Town
County
Area[2]
Established
River / lake / other
Image
Remarks
acres
ha
Aldo Leopold Wildlife Management Area
Southbury
New Haven
554
224
Housatonic River, Lake Lillinonah
Forest. Limited off-road parking available on Kuhne, Purchase Brook, Little York and East Flat Hill roads.
Assekonk Swamp Wildlife Management Area
North Stonington
New London
963
280
Assekonk Swamp
Swamp. Limited off-road parking available off CT-184.
Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area
East Haddam, Colchester
Middlesex, New London
1524
617
Babcock Pond
Swamp, forest, pond. Parking off Myles Standish Road,
Barber Pond Wildlife Management Area
Bloomfield, Windsor
Hartford
72
29
Barber Pond
Wetlands. Access via CT-305 (Old Windsor Road).
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area
Stonington
New London
1013
410
Little Narragansett Bay
Marshes. Parking at the Barn Island Boat Launch and South East Parking.
Bartlett Brook Wildlife Management Area
Lebanon
New London
687
278
Bartlett Brook and Exeter Brook.
Streams. Stone foundations. Fields. Trails.
Bear Hill Wildlife Management Area
Bozrah
New London
364
147
Belding Wildlife Management Area
Vernon
Tolland
282
114
Bishops Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Andover, Hebron
Tolland
719
291
Black Pond Wildlife Management Area
Middlefield, Meriden
Middlesex, New Haven
68
28
Candlewood Hill Wildlife Management Area
Groton
New London
201
81
Swamps, streams, forest, glacial erratics, quarries and 44 acre pitch pine grove.
Cedar Swamp Wildlife Management Area
New Hartford, Torrington
Litchfield
275
111
Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area
Milford
New Haven
625
253
1955
Housatonic River , Long Island Sound
Charter Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Tolland
Tolland
240
97
Skungamaug Marsh (lake) and Skungamaug River.
Marsh, River, Pond.
Cromwell Meadows Wildlife Management Area
Cromwell, Middletown
Middlesex
496
201
Durham Meadows Wildlife Management Area
East River Marsh Wildlife Management Area
East Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Eightmile River Wildlife Management Area
Franklin Wildlife Management Area
North Franklin
New London
website
Goshen Wildlife Management Area
Great Harbor Wildlife Management Area
Higganum Meadows Wildlife Management Area
Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area
King's Island Coop Wildlife Management Area
Kollar Wildlife Management Area
Larson Lot Wildlife Management Area
Little River Fish and Wildlife Area
Lord's Cove Wildlife Management Area
Maromas Coop Wildlife Management Area
Meadow Brook Wildlife Management Area
Menunketesuck Wildlife Management Area
Messerschmidt Wildlife Management Area
Newgate Wildlife Management Area
Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area
Nott Island Wildlife Management Area
Pease Brook Wildlife Management Area
Plum Bank Wildlife Management Area
Quinebaug River Wildlife Management Area
Quinnipiac River Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Ragged Rock Wildlife Management Area
Raymond Brook Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Robbins Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Roger Tory Peterson Wildlife Area
Roraback Wildlife Management Area
Harwinton
Litchfield
1976
800
Leadmine Brook
Fields, Swamps, Ponds.
Rose Hill Wildlife Management Area
Ross Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Salmon River Cove and Haddam Neck Wildlife Management Area
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area
Burlington
Hartford
website , includes the Sessions Woods Conservation Education Center with an exhibit area and a meeting room, interpretive trails, habitat management demonstration areas, and a backyard wildlife habitat area, Friends site , Town of Burlington information
Simsbury Wildlife Management Area
Skiff Mountain Coop Wildlife Management Area
James V. Spignesi Wildlife Management Area
Stanley Works Wildlife Management Area
Suffield Wildlife Management Area
Talbot Wildlife Management Area
Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area
Wangunk Meadows Wildlife Management Area
Wopowog Wildlife Management Area
Zemko Pond Wildlife Management Area
Other state areas
See also
References
External links