List of Connecticut state parks

Last updated

USA Connecticut location map.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
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]

Contents

Connecticut state parks

NameTownCountyArea [2] Estab- lishedRiver / lake / otherImageRemarks
acresha
Above All State Park Warren Litchfield 31131927
AboveAllSP1.jpg
Undeveloped site with Cold War defense installation remnants
Auerfarm State Park Scenic ReserveBloomfieldHartford40162015
Auerfarm Scenic Reserve, Bloomfield CT.jpg
Farmland gifted to state
Beaver Brook State Park Chaplin, Windham Windham 4011621955Bibbins Pond
BeaverBrookSP 3.jpg
Fishing; abuts Air Line State Park Trail
Becket Hill State Park Reserve Lyme New London 2601101961Uncas Pond
NehanticSF UncasPond and BeckettHillSP.jpg
Adjacent to Nehantic State Forest
Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument North Canaan Litchfield 124.91946
Industrial Monument, Beckley Furnace.JPG
Historic iron-making furnace dating from 1847
Bennett's Pond State Park Ridgefield, Danbury Fairfield 4601902002
Bennett's Pond Park.jpg
Former estate and nursery called Outpost Farm
Bigelow Hollow State Park Union Tolland 5162091949Bigelow Pond,
Mashapaug Lake
Bigelow pond 9.6.2005.jpg
Adjoins Nipmuck State Forest and borders Mashapaug Lake; boat launch, swimming
Black Rock State Park Watertown Litchfield 4441801926Black Rock Pond
Black rock panorama.jpg
Camping, pond fishing, Mattatuck Trail
Bluff Point State Park Groton New London 8063261963 Long Island Sound
BluffPointSP IMG 1527.jpg
Ocean access, boat launch; near Haley Farm State Park
Bolton Notch State Park Bolton Tolland 95381918
Hop River State Park Trail cut, Bolton CT.jpg
Rock climbing
Brainard Homestead State Park East Haddam Middlesex 25101929
EastHaddamCT BrainardHomesteadSP.jpg
Undeveloped
Burr Pond State Park Torrington Litchfield 4381771949Burr Pond
Burr Pond Connecticut State Park's Southern Beach and Picnic Section.JPG
Boating, fishing, swimming
Camp Columbia State Park/State Forest Morris Litchfield 6002402000
Camp Columbia State Park Class Of 1906 Tower.jpg
Former rural campus of Columbia University Engineering Department
Campbell Falls State Park Reserve Norfolk Litchfield 102411923Whiting River
CampbellFalls IMG 0861.jpg
On the Massachusetts border
Chatfield Hollow State Park Killingworth Middlesex 4121671949
Chatfield Hollow State Park - "Paul F. Wildermann Boardwalk"..jpg
Swimming, fishing
Collis P. Huntington State Park Redding, Newtown, Bethel Fairfield 8783551973
HuntingtonBears.jpg
Former estate with ponds for fishing and canoeing and multipurpose trails
Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park Essex Middlesex 136551969
Valley Railroad 97 in Essex, December 2004.jpg
Essex Steam Train from Essex to Chester up the Connecticut River valley
Dart Island State Park Middletown Middlesex 197.71918 Connecticut River
Dart Island SP Cove 1197.2015-05-17 182416.JPG
Accessible by water only
Day Pond State Park Colchester New London 180731949Day Pond
DayPondSP PondView.jpg
Swimming, pond fishing
Dennis Hill State Park Norfolk Litchfield 240971935
DennisHillSP IMG 0881.jpg
Former estate with hiking, picnicking and scenic views
Devil's Hopyard State Park East Haddam Middlesex 8603501919Eightmile River
Devils Hopyard Small Falls Kevin Pepin.jpg
Historic millsite with camping, stream fishing, waterfall
Dinosaur State Park Rocky Hill Hartford 60241968
Dinosaur State Park (Rocky Hill, CT) - dome.JPG
Natural history museum, arboretum
Eagle Landing State Park Haddam Middlesex 166.52003 Connecticut River
RiverQuest, Eagle Landing State Park, Haddam CT.jpg
Boat dock, fishing pier, winter eagle viewing
Farm River State Park East Haven New Haven 61251998Farm River
Farm River Connecticut State Park Quinnipiac University Boat Docks.JPG
Boat launch, fishing
Ferry Landing State Park Old Lyme New London 10.40UnknownConnecticut River
RiverQuest, Eagle Landing State Park, Haddam CT.jpg
Boat launch, fishing, Crabbing
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park Groton New London 166.51953 Thames River
FortGriswold wiki.JPG
Site of the 1781 massacre led by Benedict Arnold; American Revolutionary War museum and artifacts
Fort Trumbull State Park New London New London 166.52000 Long Island Sound
FT. TRUMBULL, NEW LONDON, CT.jpg
19th-century fort with museum, fishing pier
Gardner Lake State Park Salem New London 104.02001 Gardner Lake
Gardner Lake, Salem CT.jpg
Boating, fishing, swimming
Gay City State Park Hebron Tolland 1,5696351944 Blackledge River
Gay City Connecticut State Park Split Rock Formation.JPG
Former mill-town ruins; pond fishing, swimming, youth group camping; bordered by Meshomasic State Forest
George Dudley Seymour State Park Haddam Middlesex 222901960 Connecticut River Abuts Hurd State Park and Higganum Meadows Wildlife Area; fishing, hunting
George Waldo State Park Southbury New Haven 150611960 Lake Lillinonah Undeveloped; multi-use trails
Gillette Castle State Park East Haddam Middlesex 184741943 Connecticut River
Gillette Castle.jpg
Castle house museum; boat camping
Haddam Island State Park Haddam Middlesex 145.71944 Connecticut River Accessible only by boat
Haddam Meadows State Park Haddam Middlesex 175711944 Connecticut River
HaddamMeadowsSP Entrance.jpg
Boating, fishing
Haley Farm State Park Groton New London 198801970
Mountain biker on the crushed stone bike near the turn to Groton's X-Town Trail and Gibson Pond in Haley Farm State Park.jpg
Bike trail, near Bluff Point State Park
Hammonasset Beach State Park Madison New Haven 9193721920
Hammonasset sunset.JPG
Beach, swimming, fishing, camping, nature center, carry-in boating
Harkness Memorial State Park Waterford New London 116471952 Long Island Sound
HarknessAerial.jpg
42-room mansion museum, formal gardens, fishing
Haystack Mountain State Park Norfolk Litchfield 2921181917
HaystackMountainSP IMG 0833.JPG
Observation tower
Higganum Reservoir State Park Haddam Middlesex 147591955Higganum Reservoir
Higganum Reservoir, Higganum CT.jpg
Car-top boating, fishing, hunting
Hopemead State Park Bozrah, Montville New London 70281954 Gardner Lake
Hopemead State Park entrance, Bozrah CT.jpg
Fishing, hiking
Hopeville Pond State Park Griswold New London 5442201938 Pachaug River
Beach, Hopeville Pond, Griswold CT.jpg
Camping, boating, swimming, pond fishing, field sports
Horse Guard State Park Avon Hartford 105421964
Derrin House.JPG
Undeveloped
Housatonic Meadows State Park Sharon Litchfield 4511831927 Housatonic River
Appalachian Trail Pine Knob Loop Trail section in Housatonic Meadows State Park scenic overlook of the Housatonic River.JPG
Camping, canoeing, fly fishing
Humaston Brook State Park Litchfield Litchfield 141571920Fishing
Hurd State Park East Hampton Middlesex 9914011914 Connecticut River
HurdSP IMG 0250.JPG
Boat camping, mountain biking, scenic views
Indian Well State Park Shelton Fairfield 153621928 Lake Housatonic
Indian well at sunset.JPG
Boating, swimming, fishing, waterfalls
John A. Minetto State Park Torrington Litchfield 7152891965Pond and stream fishing, cross-country skiing
Kent Falls State Park Kent Litchfield 3071241919Falls Brook
KentFalls.JPG
Waterfalls, replica covered bridge
Kettletown State Park Southbury New Haven 5992421950 Lake Zoar
BBHTKettletownMillerTrail.jpg
Camping, swimming, fishing
Killingly Pond State Park Killingly Windham 16266Killingly Pond
Killingly Pond, Killingly CT.jpg
Boating, fishing
Lake Waramaug State Park Kent Litchfield 95381920Lake Waramaug
LakeWaureganSP and MountBushnellSP.jpg
Camping, car-top boating, swimming, fishing
Lamentation Mountain State Park Berlin Hartford 47191936
Lamentation Mountain and State Park viewed from Mattabesett Trail in Guiffrida Park..JPG
Hiking, scenic vistas
Lovers Leap State Park New Milford Litchfield 127511971 Housatonic River
Lovers Leap State Park - Connecticut.jpg
Scenic river vistas
Macedonia Brook State Park Kent Litchfield 2,3009301918
Macedonia State Park's Cobble Mountain summit with Catskill Mountains in background.JPG
Camping, stream fishing
Machimoodus State Park East Haddam Middlesex 3001201998 Salmon River
EastHaddamCT MachimoodusSP 5.jpg
Fishing, horseback riding
Mansfield Hollow State Park Mansfield Tolland 2511021952 Mansfield Hollow Lake
USACE Mansfield Hollow Lake.jpg
Boating, fishing, field sports, mountain biking, cross-country skiing
Mashamoquet Brook State Park Pomfret Windham 9173711924
PomfretCT MashamoquetBrookStatePark Roadway.jpg
Camping, swimming, stream fishing
Mianus River State Park Stamford Fairfield 94382001 Mianus River
Mianus River Park - Mianus River from west river bank.JPG
Biking, fishing, horseback riding
Millers Pond State Park Durham, Haddam Middlesex 2801101955Millers Pond
MillersPond.jpg
Fishing, hunting, mountain biking
Minnie Island State Park Salem, Montville New London 10.401925 Gardner Lake Boating, fishing, accessible only by boat
Mohawk Forest/Mohawk Mountain State Park Cornwall, Goshen, Litchfield Litchfield 4,0161,6251921
MohawkStateForest.jpg
Includes Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
Mono Pond State Park Reserve Columbia Tolland 218882008Mono Pond Mono Pond, Columbia CT.jpg Boating, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing
Mooween State Park Lebanon New London 5772341989Red Cedar Lake
Red Cedar Lake, Lebanon CT.jpg
Boating, fishing
Mount Bushnell State Park Washington Litchfield 214871916
LakeWaureganWithMountBushnell.jpg
Hiking
Mount Riga State Park Salisbury Litchfield 2761121954
Connecticut-Massachusetts state line boundary marker in Sages Ravine near Connecticut Route 41 and Mount Riga State Park.jpg
Hiking
Mount Tom State Park Litchfield, Washington, Morris Litchfield 231931915Mount Tom Pond
2013-06-22 Mt. Tom State Park (37).JPG
Historic lookout tower
Nathaniel Lyon Memorial State ParkEastfordWindham1920
Nathaniel Lyon Memorial State Park, Eastford CT.jpg
Located in Natchaug State Forest
Old Furnace State Park Killingly Windham 3671491918Ross Pond
Marsh with reeds along Half Hill Brook on Old Furnace Trail.jpg
Site of an 18th-century iron furnace; hiking, boating, fishing, hunting
Osbornedale State Park Derby New Haven 3501401956
OsbournedaleSP Erratic.jpg
Former Osbornedale Farms; hiking, pond fishing
Penwood State Park Bloomfield Hartford 7873181944Lake Louise
Lake Louise in Penwood State Park 3, 2010-04-11.jpg
Metacomet Trail, hiking, cross-country skiing
Platt Hill State Park Winchester Litchfield 159641960
Fields at Platt Hill State Park 02.JPG
Scenic vistas
Pomeroy State Park Lebanon New London 200811953Undeveloped; hiking, hunting
Putnam Memorial State Park Bethel, Redding Fairfield 183741887Lake MdDougall
Putnam Memorial State Park - entry gate.jpg
American Revolutionary War museum, interpretive trail, youth group camping
Quaddick State Park Thompson Windham 116471951Quaddick ReservoirBoat launch, swimming, fishing, field sports
Quinebaug Lake State Park Killingly Windham 181731964Quinebaug LakeBoating, fishing
Quinnipiac River State Park North Haven New Haven 3231311951 Quinnipiac River Car-top boating, fishing, hunting
River Highlands State Park Cromwell Middlesex 177722001 Connecticut River
RiverHighlandsSP IMG 1427.JPG
Boat camping
Rocky Glen State Park Newtown Fairfield 46191943Pootatuck RiverHiking
Rocky Neck State Park East Lyme New London 7102901931 Long Island Sound
Rocky Neck Pavillion Kevin Pepin.jpg
Beach, swimming, camping, saltwater fishing
Ross Pond State Park Killingly Windham 3141271964Ross PondBoating, fishing, hunting
Salt Rock State Campground Sprague New London 149602001 Shetucket River Camping, fishing, pool swimming, access to Shetucket River
Satan's Kingdom State Recreation Area New Hartford Litchfield 10.402012 Farmington River
Satans kingdom.jpg
Canoeing, kayaking, tubing
Scantic River State Park Enfield, East Windsor, Somers Hartford 7843171967 Scantic River
EastWindsorCT ScanticRiver.jpg
Fishing, hunting
Selden Neck State Park Lyme New London 6072461917 Connecticut River Accessible only by boat; camping, fishing, hunting
Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve Ridgefield Fairfield 3051231956Lake Naraneka
Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve entrance sign.jpg
Car-top boating, fishing
Seaside State ParkWaterfordNew London36152014Long Island SoundSanatorium remains, fishing
Sherwood Island State Park Westport Fairfield 238961932 Long Island Sound
WestportCTSherwoodIsParkBeachEastSide11172007.JPG
Beach, swimming, nature center, field sports, saltwater fishing
Silver Sands State Park Milford New Haven 2971201960 Long Island Sound
CharlesIsland.jpg
Beach, swimming, saltwater fishing
Sleeping Giant State Park Hamden New Haven 1,4395821924
Gianttower.jpg
Quinnipiac Trail, lookout tower, stream fishing, youth group camping
Southford Falls State Park Oxford New Haven 126511932Eightmile Brook SouthfordFallsSP IMG 0955.jpg Waterfalls, covered bridge, pond and stream fishing, cross-country skiing, field sports
Squantz Pond State Park New Fairfield Fairfield 172701926Squantz Pond
Squantz Pond early morning autumn.JPG
Boating, swimming, pond fishing, scuba diving
Stillwater Pond State Park Torrington Litchfield 22691Stillwater PondBoating, fishing
Stoddard Hill State Park Ledyard New London 55221954 Thames River Boating, fishing
Stratton Brook State Park Simsbury Hartford 145591949Stratton Brook
Stratton Brook State Park.jpg
Swimming, fishing, biking, cross-country skiing
Sunnybrook State Park Torrington Litchfield 4641881970 Naugatuck River Fishing, hunting
Sunrise State Park East Haddam Middlesex 143582009 Salmon River
EastHaddamCT SunsetResortSP 4.jpg
Undeveloped
Talcott Mountain State Park Simsbury, Avon,
Bloomfield
Hartford 5742321965
Heublein Tower.jpg
Observation tower, scenic vistas, Metacomet Trail
Tri-Mountain State Park Durham,
Wallingford
Middlesex,
New Haven
157641925Hiking
Trout Brook Valley State Park Reserve Easton Fairfield 3001201999
TroutBrookValleyPreserve OrdwayRedTrailHead.jpg
Hiking
Wadsworth Falls State Park Middlefield,
Middletown
Middlesex 2851151942 Coginchaug River
Wadsworth Falls.jpg
Waterfall, swimming, stream fishing, mountain biking
West Rock Ridge State Park Hamden, New Haven,
Woodbridge, Bethany
New Haven 1,6916841975Lake Wintergreen
NewHavenfromWestRockSouthOverlook, 10-11.jpg
Features the Regicides Trail, scenic vistas, fishing, car-top boating, horseback riding
Wharton Brook State Park Wallingford,
North Haven
New Haven 96391918Allen Brook Pond
Allen Brook Pond in Wharton Brook SP at dusk. Allen Brook Pond in Wharton Brook SP at dusk.jpg
Allen Brook Pond in Wharton Brook SP at dusk.
Fishing, swimming
Whittemore Glen State Park Naugatuck, Middlebury New Haven 242981945
The Larkin Trail in Whittemore Glen State Park in Naugatuck Connecticut.jpg
Horseback riding, hiking
Windsor Meadows State Park Windsor Hartford 155631968 Connecticut River
Bissell Bridge in Windsor CT.JPG
Boat launch, fishing, bicycling
Wooster Mountain State Park Danbury Fairfield 4441801920
Wooster Mountain State Park.jpg
Skeet, trap and target shooting, hunting

Connecticut state park trails

NameTownsCountiesLengthEstab- lishedImageRemarks
mikm
Air Line
State Park Trail
East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Columbia, Lebanon, Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson Middlesex,
New London,
Tolland,
Windham
50801969
Pine Acres Lake View Trail intersection with Airline Trail northeast of Black Spruce Pond in Hampton, CT..jpg
Nearly fifty miles of converted rail-trail
Farmington Canal
State Park Trail
Cheshire, Hamden New Haven 5.58.9
Farmington canal lock 12.jpg
Part of the Farmington Canal Trail
Hop River
State Park Trail
Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Manchester, Vernon Hartford, Tolland 1931
Bolton Notch Tunnel.jpg
Nineteen miles of rail-trail from Manchester to Willimantic
Larkin
State Park Trail
Southbury, Oxford, Middlebury, Naugatuck New Haven 10161943
LarkinStateParkTrail-MiddleburyCT.JPG
Ten-mile-long rail-trail
Moosup Valley
State Park Trail
Plainfield, Sterling Windham 69.71987
BrunswickDam on Moosup River MoosupValleyStateParkTrail-PlainfieldCT.jpg
Six miles of rail-trail
Windsor Locks Canal
State Park Trail
Windsor Locks, Suffield Hartford 4.57.2
Windsor Locks Canal Trail Suffield North Trailhead Looking South.jpg
4.5 mile bike trail, fishing along the canal

Connecticut state forests

NameTownCountyArea [2] Estab- lishedRiver / lake / otherImageRemarks
acresha
Algonquin State Forest Colebrook, Winchester Litchfield 2,9871,2091937Sandy BrookHiking, hunting, fishing, bird watching
American Legion State Forest Barkhamsted Litchfield 8933611927 Farmington River
AmericanLegionSPTrails CheeseboxRuins.jpg
Adjacent to Peoples State Forest; hiking, camping, boating, nature center
Camp Columbia State Park/State Forest Morris Litchfield 6012432000
Camp Columbia State Park Class Of 1906 Tower.jpg
Historic college campus; hiking, hunting
Centennial Watershed State Forest Redding, Easton, Newtown, Weston Fairfield 15,3706,2202002 Saugatuck Reservoir
Saugatuck Reservoir from the Saugatuck Trail in Centennial Watershed State Forest.jpg
Hiking, hunting, fishing
Cockaponset State Forest Haddam Middlesex 17,1866,9551926Pattaconk Lake
CockaponsetSF-Pine-Ledge-Road.jpg
Swimming, fishing, trails
Enders State Forest Granby Hartford 2,1058521970 Ender falls, connecticut (26894310517).jpg Hiking, hunting
Housatonic State Forest Sharon Litchfield 10,8944,4091927
Iron Trail In Housatonic SF to Canaan Mtn Rd IMG 0182.2014-05-03 140404.jpg
Appalachian Trail
James L. Goodwin State Forest Hampton Middlesex 2,0038111964Pine Acres Pond
James Goodwin State Forest Pine Acres Lake Observation Deck at Boat Launch.jpg
Air Line State Park Trail, boat launch, Conservation Education Center, youth group camping, Natchaug Trail
Massacoe State Forest Simsbury Hartford 5032041908Great Pond
Great Pond, Simsbury CT.jpg
Bike trail
Mattatuck State Forest Waterbury, Plymouth, Thomaston, Watertown, Litchfield, Harwinton Litchfield 4,6731,8911925
BBHTJerichoTrailCranesLookoutView3.jpg
Twenty different parcels; Hancock Brook Trail, Whitestone Cliffs Trail
Meshomasic State Forest East Hampton Middlesex 9,0263,6531903
CT River from Great Hill.JPG
Fishing, hiking, hunting
Mohawk State Forest Cornwall, Goshen Litchfield 3,7431,5151921Mohawk Pond
MohawkStateForest.jpg
Adjoins Mohawk Mountain State Park; lookout tower, pond and stream fishing, youth group camping, skiing
Mohegan State Forest Scotland Middlesex 9563871960
MoheganSF 2.jpg
Hiking, hunting
Nassahegon State Forest Burlington Hartford 1,2274971942
Tunxis "White-Dot" Blue-Blazed hiking trail near Bradley Brook and CT Route 4 in Nassahegon State Forest (Burlington, Connecticut).jpg
Fish hatchery; hunting, hiking, bird watching
Natchaug State Forest Eastford Windham 13,4385,4381917 Natchaug River
Remains of old mill dam on Beaverdam Brook taken from northern end of foot bridge..jpg
Natchaug Trail; hiking, horseback riding, camping
Nathan Hale State Forest Andover Tolland 1,4555891946 Nathan Hale State Forest, Coventry CT.jpg Hiking, hunting
Naugatuck State Forest Cheshire, Hamden, Naugatuck, Oxford, Beacon Falls New Haven 4,1531,6811921 Naugatuck River
NaugatuckSFWestBlockNorthCT8AndRiver.JPG
Includes the Naugatuck Trail
Nehantic State Forest Lyme New London 5,0622,0491925Norwich Pond, Uncas Lake
NehanticSF NorwichPond.jpg
Boating, swimming, hiking
Nepaug State Forest New Hartford Litchfield 1,3735561927
Farmington River Bank And River Road In Nepaug State Forest.jpg
Hiking, biking, fishing, camping
Nipmuck State Forest Union Tolland 9,2093,7271905 Breakneck Pond
SouthernBreakneckPondonNipmuckTrailfacingnorth.jpg
Adjoins Bigelow Hollow State Park, features Mountain Laurel Sanctuary, Nipmuck Trail
Nye-Holman State Forest Tolland Tolland 7873181931 Willimantic River
Nye Holman State Forest, Tolland CT.jpg
Fishing, hiking, youth group camping
Pachaug State Forest Voluntown, Griswold, Plainfield, Sterling, North Stonington, Preston New London 28,80411,6571928 Pachaug River
Nehantic Trail - Rhododendron Sanctuary Trail planked wooden boardwalk section.jpg
Camping, boating, horseback riding, youth group camping, motorcycle trail
Paugnut State Forest Torrington, Winchester Litchfield 1,6446651929
Paugnut State Forest's hills in autumn viewed from the north-east shore of Burr Pond.jpg
Spread out over four locations; abuts Burr Pond and Sunnybrook state parks
Paugussett State Forest Newtown Fairfield 1,947788 Housatonic River
LillinonahTrail PondBrookInlet.JPG
Boat launch, fishing, hiking, mountain biking
Peoples State Forest Barkhamsted Litchfield 3,0591,2381924 Farmington River
PeoplesStateForest Museum.jpg
Adjacent to American Legion State Forest; Barkhamsted Lighthouse
Pootatuck State Forest New Fairfield Fairfield 1,103446Squantz Pond
Squantz Pond and Candlewood Lake from scenic outlook on Pootatuck State Forest Blue Trail.jpg
Access is through Squantz Pond State Park
Quaddick State Forest Thompson Windham 1,109449Quaddick ReservoirYouth group camping
Salmon River State Forest Hebron, Marlborough, Colchester, East Haddam, East Hampton Middlesex, New London 6,9052,7941934 Salmon River
BBHTSalmonRiverFromTrailUpRiverFromBridge.jpg
Features Comstock's Bridge
Shenipsit State Forest Stafford, Somers, Ellington Tolland 6,9622,8171927
View from Soapstone Mountain summit lookout tower in Connecticut's Shenipsit State Forest..JPG
Features 11 parcels spread over nearly 7,000 acres, Shenipsit Trail, Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Topsmead State Forest Litchfield Litchfield 6152491972
TOPSMEAD, LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CT.jpg
Features historic house museum estate of Edith Morton Chase
Tunxis State Forest East Hartland, Granby Hartford 5,5192,2331923 Barkhamsted Reservoir
Massachusetts-Connecticut border marker on northern border of Tunxis State Forest in Hartland (near northern end of Pell Road.jpg
Meets Granville State Forest in Massachusetts
Wyantenock State Forest Cornwall, Kent, Warren Litchfield 4,0831,6521925Nine different parcels, none developed for recreation

Connecticut Wildlife Management Areas

NameTownCountyArea [2] EstablishedRiver / lake / otherImageRemarks
acresha
Aldo Leopold Wildlife Management Area SouthburyNew Haven554224Housatonic River, Lake LillinonahForest. Limited off-road parking available on Kuhne, Purchase Brook, Little York and East Flat Hill roads.
Assekonk Swamp Wildlife Management Area North StoningtonNew London963280Assekonk SwampSwamp. Limited off-road parking available off CT-184.
Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area East Haddam, ColchesterMiddlesex, New London1524617Babcock PondSwamp, forest, pond. Parking off Myles Standish Road,
Barber Pond Wildlife Management Area Bloomfield, WindsorHartford7229Barber PondWetlands. Access via CT-305 (Old Windsor Road).
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area StoningtonNew London1013410Little Narragansett BayMarshes. Parking at the Barn Island Boat Launch and South East Parking.
Bartlett Brook Wildlife Management Area LebanonNew London687278Bartlett Brook and Exeter Brook.Streams. Stone foundations. Fields. Trails.
Bear Hill Wildlife Management Area BozrahNew London364147
Belding Wildlife Management Area VernonTolland282114
Bishops Swamp Wildlife Management Area Andover, HebronTolland719291
Black Pond Wildlife Management AreaMiddlefield, MeridenMiddlesex, New Haven6828
Candlewood Hill Wildlife Management Area GrotonNew London20181Swamps, streams, forest, glacial erratics, quarries and 44 acre pitch pine grove.
Cedar Swamp Wildlife Management Area New Hartford, TorringtonLitchfield275111
Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area MilfordNew Haven6252531955 Housatonic River, Long Island Sound
Swans at high tide in Charles E. Wheeler WMA - zoom.jpg
Charter Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary TollandTolland24097Skungamaug Marsh (lake) and Skungamaug River.Marsh, River, Pond.
Cromwell Meadows Wildlife Management Area Cromwell, MiddletownMiddlesex496201
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 HarwintonLitchfield1976800Leadmine BrookFields, 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 BurlingtonHartford
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Tree ID Trail.jpg
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

NameTownCountyEstablishedRemarks
Burlington Trout Hatchery Burlington Hartford1923 website, information, located within Nassahegon State Forest
Quinebaug Valley Trout Hatchery Plainfield Windham website, information

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piney Woods</span> Temperate coniferous forests ecoregion of the United States

The Piney Woods is a temperate coniferous forest terrestrial ecoregion in the Southern United States covering 54,400 square miles (141,000 km2) of East Texas, southern Arkansas, western Louisiana, and southeastern Oklahoma. These coniferous forests are dominated by several species of pine as well as hardwoods including hickory and oak. Historically the most dense part of this forest region was the Big Thicket though the lumber industry dramatically reduced the forest concentration in this area and throughout the Piney Woods during the 19th and 20th centuries. The World Wide Fund for Nature considers the Piney Woods to be one of the critically endangered ecoregions of the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines most of this ecoregion as the South Central Plains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goethe State Forest</span> State forest in Florida, United States

The Goethe State Forest is in the U.S. state of Florida. The 53,398-acre (216 km2) forest is located near the gulf coast, northwest of Dunnellon. Four trailheads are located on County Road 337. The main trail usage is equestrian, both riders and carts. Goethe is known for its population of red cockaded woodpeckers, a rare bird endemic to the longleaf pine forests of the southeastern coastal plain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission</span> Agency of the state government of Florida, United States

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is a Florida government agency founded in 1999 and headquartered in Tallahassee. It manages and regulates the state's fish and wildlife resources, and enforces related laws. Officers are managers, researchers, and support personnel, and perform law enforcement in the course of their duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salmon River (Connecticut)</span> River in Connecticut , US

The Salmon River is formed at the confluence of the Blackledge and Jeremy rivers about one mile west of North Westchester, Connecticut. It drains 96,000 acres and courses for 10.4 miles (16.7 km) to Salmon Cove near Moodus where it flows into the Connecticut River. The Salmon River is probably the largest stream and watershed whose sources and mouth are entirely within the limits of Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Wildlife Management Areas</span> Protected area in New York, US

New York State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are conservation areas managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) primarily for the benefit of wildlife, and used extensively by the public for hunting, fishing, and trapping. As of 2016, the NYSDEC owns and maintains 113 WMAs, with a total area of approximately 197,000 acres. The Wildlife Management Areas program is administered by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources of the NYSDEC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Pond Wildlife Management Area</span> New York state wildlife management area

Black Pond Wildlife Management Area is a 526-acre (213 ha) New York State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) that lies on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, and at the northern limit of an unusual region of sandy barrier beaches and lagoons. Much of the barrier beach in Black Pond WMA has forested sand dunes that are about 60 feet (18 m) high; these are the highest sand dunes in the northeast United States excepting Cape Cod. Immediately north of the WMA is the 360-acre (150 ha) El Dorado Beach Preserve, which is a bird refuge owned by The Nature Conservancy. North of the outlet from Black Pond to Lake Ontario, the shoreline is a weathered, flat bedrock shelf that is "calcareous" instead of sandy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife management area</span> Protected area that prioritizes wildlife conservation and may allow for recreational use

A wildlife management area (WMA) is a protected area set aside for the conservation of wildlife and for recreational activities involving wildlife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stumptown Wildlife Management Area</span> State Wildlife Management Area in Calhoun and Gilmer counties, West Virginia

Stumptown Wildlife Management Area is located in both Calhoun and Gilmer Counties near the community of Stumptown, West Virginia. Stumptown WMA is located on 1,675 acres (678 ha) of hilly terrain, mostly covered with mixed oak and pine forest, with stands of mixed hardwoods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dart Island State Park</span> Park in Middletown, Connecticut, US

Dart Island State Park is a public recreation area comprising an undeveloped 19-acre (7.7 ha) sandbar island in the Connecticut River that is only accessible by boat. The island is within the corporate boundaries of the city of Middletown, Connecticut, its nearest neighbors being the Middletown Generating Station and Pratt and Whitney plant on the river's west bank. The island is wooded with "typical river trees like willow, poplar and red maple." It is managed by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which lists boating, fishing, and bird watching as activities for visitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmore State Forest</span> State forest in Florida, United States

Belmore State Forest is located in Clay County, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Wildlife Management Areas</span>

Virginia Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are state-managed protected areas that exist primarily for the benefit of wildlife. Within the Commonwealth of Virginia, 46 tracts of land have been protected as WMAs, covering a total of over 216,000 acres. They are managed and maintained by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area</span> State-managed protected area in Caroline County, Virginia

Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area is a 2,542-acre (10.29 km2) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Caroline County, Virginia. Located west of Bowling Green, the area protects a mixture of wetlands and upland forests at the confluence of the Mattaponi and South rivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Woods Wildlife Management Area</span> Protected area of Virginia, United States

Big Woods Wildlife Management Area is a 4,173-acre (16.89 km2) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Sussex County, Virginia. It comprises two tracts of land; the 2,208-acre (8.94 km2) main tract, located immediately adjacent Big Woods State Forest, and the 1,965-acre (7.95 km2) Parker's Branch tract, located nearby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area</span>

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area is a 771-acre (312 ha) nature preserve owned by the state of Connecticut located in Burlington, Connecticut. Operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the preserve focuses on conservation education and features the Sessions Woods Conservation Education Center with displays about area wildlife and a large meeting room. The WMA offers educational programs, demonstrations, and workshops about wildlife and natural resource management. Outside there are demonstration sites, self-guided hiking trails, and displays. Hunting is allowed with permits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornish Wildlife Management Area</span> Wildlife Management Area in New Hampshire, US

The Cornish Wildlife Management Area is one of 124 New Hampshire State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). It is located in Cornish and covers 29 acres.

Huntington Gap Wildlife Management Area is a wildlife management area in the U.S. state of Vermont. It consists of 1,602 acres (648 ha) in the towns of Huntington, Buels Gore, and Fayston. The area is owned by the State of Vermont and administered by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area</span>

Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area is a 625-acre (253 ha) brackish tidal marsh, nature preserve and hunting area owned by the state of Connecticut located in Devon (village), Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut.

References

  1. R, Mike (August 13, 2021). "State Parks Light Pollution Map And Statistics". CosmosPNW. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests" (PDF). State Parks and Forests: Funding. Staff Findings and Recommendations. Connecticut General Assembly. January 23, 2014. pp. A–1 – A–4. Retrieved March 20, 2014.