Connecticut State Parks

These Connecticut State Parks are all within an hour drive of the Interlaken Inn.

Barkhamstead

American Legion State Forest - West River Road, Barkhamsted, CT
The rocky terrain of this state forest is home to a small campsite, picnic areas, fishing, sports areas, hunting, and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Peoples State Forest - East River Road, Barkhamsted, CT
Telephone: 860-379-2469
Along the Farmington River, this forest features hunting areas, fishing areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, and sports fields. Of particular interest is the Mathies Grove picnic area, set among great pines that are over 2 centuries old. A campground is also available.

Cornwall

Mohawk State Park - Route 4, Cornwall, CT (260 acres)
Telephone: 860-672-6464

This Park, under lease to the Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, is known for being one of Connecticut's finest winter sporting areas. The Mountain offers a sweeping panorama of the western highlands, especially during the fall foliage season. A road to an abandoned fire tower, plus vista cuts, provide these enchanting views.

Activities: Hiking, (H) Picnicking, (H) Scenic Vista, Snowmobiling, Nature Area, Cross-Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing
Services: (H) Drinking Water, (H) Gravel Parking, Concession, Ski Lifts
Location: 6 miles west of Goshen off Route 4.
Charge: Contact Mohawk Ski Area, Cornwall CT 06753; Telephone (860)672-6100

Kent

Macedonia Brook State Park - 2,300 acres
CT State Route 342, Kent, CT
Telephone: 860-927-3238

Macedonia Brook became the property of the State in 1918 through a gift from the White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield. Two peaks within the Park are near 1,400 feet in elevation and offer outstanding views of the Catskills and Taconic mountains. Numerous springs and streams create a pleasurable experience for the nature oriented recreation seeker.

Activities: Stream Fishing, Camping (80 sites), Hiking, (H) Picnicking, (H) Field Sports, Cross-Country Skiing, Historic Area
Services: Picnic Shelter, Drinking Water, Gravel Parking, Outhouses, Telephone
Alcohol Free Campground: Please do not bring alcoholic beverages.
Location: 4 miles northwest of Kent. From the intersection of Routes 7 and 341 in the center of Kent, follow Route 341 West for 2 miles and turn right onto Macedonia Brook Road. Continue north on Macedonia Brook Road for an additional 2 miles.
Charge: None

Litchfield

Buell Road - Litchfield, CT
Telephone: 860-567-5694

Topsmead is an English tudor mansion set on 511 acres. During the summer the house is open for tours. The grounds are open year-round and feature hiking, sledding, cross country skiing, as well as picnic areas.

Norfolk

Dennis Hill - 240 acres - Norfolk, CT
Dennis Hill, a 240 acre estate, was gifted to the State of Connecticut in 1935 by Dr. Frederick Shepard Dennis, a noted New York surgeon. A unique summit pavilion (formerly summer residence), located at an elevation of 1627 feet, is a popular attraction. Haystack Mountain, Mt. Greylock, the Green Mountains, and a portion of the State of New Hampshire can be seen from the summit.

Activities: (H) Picnicking, Hiking, (H) Overlook, Cross-Country Skiing
Services: Picnic Shelter, (H) Gravel and Grass Parking
Location: 2 miles south of Norfolk on Route 272.
Charge: None

Haystack Mountain - 224 acres - Norfolk, CT
The 34 foot high stone tower at the summit of Haystack Mountain (1716 feet above sea level) allows visitors to see Long Island Sound, the Berkshires, and peaks in Massachusetts and New York.

A roadway takes visitors halfway up the mountain to a parking area. The road enables the aged or disabled to enjoy the mountain's spectacle of fall foliage or June's outstanding show of mountain laurel. From the parking lot there is a rugged half mile trail to the top. Allow about half an hour for this trip if you are not a seasoned hiker.

Activities: (H) Picnicking, Observation Tower, Overlook, Hiking, Mountain Biking
Services: Drinking Water, (H) Gravel/Grass Parking
Location: 1 mile north of Norfolk on Route 272.
Charge: None

Sharon

Housatonic Meadows State Park - 451 acres - Route 7, Sharon, CT
Telephone: 860-927-3238

Located in the rock-strewn valley of the Housatonic River amid the rugged hills of the Northwestern uplands, Housatonic Meadows is an ideal setting for a variety of out door recreational activities.

Camping under the tall pines on the river banks gives the overnight visitor a genuine feeling of isolation. The clear cold river water also provides a fine opportunity for fly fishermen to test their skills on trout and bass. A two-mile stretch of river (including the park shore) is limited to fly fishing.

Activities: Camping (95 sites), (H) Picnicking, Youth Group Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Canoeing, Limited Cross-Country Skiing
Services: Flush Toilets, (H) Drinking Water, (H) Gravel Parking, (H) Telephone.
Alcohol Free Campground: Please do not bring alcoholic beverages.
Location: 1 mile north of Cornwall Bridge on Route 7.
Charge: None

Thomaston

Black Rock Park - 443 acres - Route 6, Thomaston, CT
Telephone: 860-677-1819

Burr Pond, site of Borden's first condensed milk factory in the U.S., is nestled in the northern Connecticut hills. A scenic path encircles the 88-acre pond contained in the Park.

Activities: (H) Picnicking, Pond Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Camping (40 sites at Taylor Brook), Boating, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Skating, Mountain Biking
Services: Picnic Shelter, (H) Concession, (H) Gravel Parking, Drinking Water, Change House, (H) Telephone, Flush Toilets, Boat Launch Ramp.
Location: 5 miles north of Torrington on old Route 8.
Charge: Daily

Torrington

Burr Pond State Park - 436 acres - Route 8, Torrington, CT
Telephone: 860-482-1817
Burr Pond, site of Borden's first condensed milk factory in the U.S., is nestled in the northern Connecticut hills. A scenic path encircles the 88-acre pond contained in the Park.

John A. Minetto State Park - 678 acres - Route 272, Torrington, CT
This Park was once the location of the first house constructed in the Town of Winsted. The rolling, open land was formerly known as Hall Meadow after the adjacent Hall Brook.

Activities: (H) Picnicking, Fishing, Field Sports, Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Skating
Services: (H) Picnic Shelter, Flush Toilets, (H) Paved Parking, Gravel Parking, Drinking Water, Telephone
Location: 6 miles north of Torrington on Route 272.
Charge: None