Live in or visiting Hartford? You don't have to venture far to explore the great outdoors. Hartford County is home to five Connecticut State Parks where you can walk, hike, bike, fish, swim and more. There's even a park that preserves ancient dinosaur tracks and an historic observation tower that provides panoramic views of the Hartford city skyline and the Farmington Valley.
Best of all, several of these state parks are open free. The next time you find yourself spending a few too many hours in the office, make a point of planning a visit to one of the Greater Hartford area's preserved outdoor spaces.
Dinosaur State Park - Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Dinosaur State Park is the site of one of North America's largest collections of dinosaur tracks--left behind by Connecticut dinosaurs about 200 million years ago. In addition to viewing the tracks, you can also explore the property's nature trails, which are open free to the public.
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Picnicking, Dinosaur Track Viewing and Casting
Admission: Admission to the grounds is free. Admission to the exhibition building as of 2010 is $10 for adults and teens, $4 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under.
Directions: Take Exit 23 off I-91 in Rocky Hill. Proceed east on West Street for about one mile to the park entrance on the right. You can't miss the geodesic dome, which houses the collection of dino tracks.
For information, call: 860-529-8423
Penwood State Park - Bloomfield, Connecticut
The nearly 800 acres given to the state in 1944 by Curtis H. Veeder are a picturesque place to spend time in the great outdoors. Veeder and his wife, Louise, blazed many trails through the property, and a section of the Blue Blazed Trail system known as "The Metacomet" also cuts through this public park. A Nature Trail encircles Lake Louise.
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Picnicking, Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Letterboxing
Admission: Free
Directions: From I-91, take Exit 35B for Bloomfield/Route 218 (Cottage Grove Road). Follow Cottage Grove Road west to Route 185. Follow Route 185 toward Simsbury. The entrance to Penwood State Park is on the right at the top of a hill. From Route 44, turn north onto Routes 10 and 202 in the center of Avon. In Simsbury, take Route 185 toward Bloomfield. The entrance to Penwood State Park is on the left at the top of a hill.
For information, call: 860-242-1158
Salmon River State Forest - Colchester, Connecticut
The Salmon River State Forest is nearly 6,000 acres in size, but it is the river that flows through it that attracts most visitors to this recreation area. The Salmon River, which joins the Connecticut River near East Haddam, is known for its trout fishing. Other recreational opportunities abound, including hiking and mountain biking trails.
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Picnicking, Fishing, Hunting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Horseback Riding, Cross-Country Skiing
Admission: Free
Directions: From Route 2 East, take Exit 16 and follow Route 149 South for 3.2 miles. The State Forest will be on the left. From Route 2 West, take exit 18 and follow Route 16 West for 6.2 miles. The State Forest will be on the left.
For information, call: 860-295-9523
Stratton Brook State Park - Simsbury, Connecticut
Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking in the summer, and it's also known for its trout fishing and mountain biking trails along a former railroad bed. In 1996, it became the state's first wheelchair-accessible park.
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Biking, Picnicking, Fishing, Swimming, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Skating
Admission: The entry fee for Connecticut residents is $14 per vehicle on weekends and holidays. There is no charge during the week. For non-residents, the entry fee is $20 per vehicle on weekends and holidays, free on weekdays.
Directions: From I-91 North, take Exit 36 for Route 178. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 178 West. At the intersection of Routes 178 and 185, turn right on Route 185 and proceed to the intersection of Routes 10 and 202. Turn right and drive north 1.8 miles to a left turn on Route 309. Continue for 1.6 miles to the Stratton Brook State Park entrance on the left. From I-91 South, take Exit 40 for Route 20 West and follow Route 20 West to the center of Granby. At the intersection of Routes 10 and 202, turn left. Follow Routes 10 and 202 for 6.1 miles to a right turn on Route 309. Continue for 1.6 miles to the Stratton Brook State Park entrance on the left.
For information, call: 860-242-1158
Talcott Mountain State Park - Bloomfield, Connecticut
The 557-acre Talcott Mountain State Park has something no other state park can claim-the 165-foot Heublein Tower, which provides panoramic views of the Hartford skyline and the Farmington River Valley that are particularly spectacular in the fall. Picnic tables at the summit are the perfect place to reward yourself with a treat or meal after the 1-1/2 mile, uphill hike and the ascent to the top of the tower.
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Picnicking, Visiting Historic Heublein Tower
Admission: Free
Directions: From I-91 North or South, take Exit 35B for Bloomfield/Route 218 (Cottage Grove Road). Follow Cottage Grove Road west to Route 185. Follow Route 185 toward Simsbury. The entrance to Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower is at the top of the hill on the left. From I-84 East or West, take the Route 44 Exit and proceed west to the junction of Routes 10 and 202 in Avon. Follow Route 10 North to Route 185 in Simsbury, then follow Route 185 toward Bloomfield. The entrance to Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower is on the right at the top of the hill.
For information, call: 860-242-1158
