Whether you're looking to go hiking or exploring history, there are plenty of national parks in Connecticut that offer an array of fun activities. Read on to find out about the best ones!
The state is home to 139 state parks. These public recreation areas feature everything from organic wonders to beaches, campgrounds, swamps and more.
Tucked away in the rugged hills of northwest Connecticut, Housatonic Meadows State Park is a great destination for those who are looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. This state park offers a range of recreational activities including camping, hiking, fishing and more!
The park features 95 single-family campsites (57 reservable) under tall pines on the banks of the Housatonic River. There are also four cabins to rent right along the river.
Visitors can find plenty of amenities at this campground, including trash dumps, showers and clean drinking water. The camping season is from mid-April to December 31.
There is no shortage of parks in Connecticut that showcase the beautiful New England scenery. The state has made its forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to the public so that people can easily explore them.
Located in the town of Simsbury, Talcott Mountain State Park covers 574 acres and is popular with Connecticut leaf-peepers for Hublein Tower, a 165-foot-tall lookout that offers panoramic views of Hartford and other parts of the state. It also offers a variety of activities for the whole family, and it hosts events, like a Tower Toot in mid-October.
Hiking is the number one activity at Talcott Mountain, but if you’d rather stay close by to the park, there are plenty of accommodations in the area. For example, the Avon Old Farms Hotel sits on 10-acres of beautiful Talcott Mountain and offers an ideal base for a weekend of fun in the Nutmeg State.
For those who want to go a little farther on their adventure, the Metacomet Trail runs north and south through the park and grants hikers exposure to the various ecosystems and microclimates that reside in this region. It’s part of the New England Natural Scenic Trail, which stretches across central Connecticut from Long Island Sound to the Massachusetts and Vermont borders.
A quiet, rural New England landscape is the setting for this 68-acre national park. It preserves the farm and studio of pioneering American Impressionist J. Alden Weir.
In 1882 Weir moved to this farm, which is now part of the National Park Service system. He and his family created a summer home that reflected their love of nature, and he became one of the founders of Impressionism in America.
Tour the property that inspired three generations of artists and enjoy a program of art exhibitions, exhibits, workshops and events. The farm also features a large forest preserve and a pond constructed by Weir in 1896.
In addition to the house and studio, tours include a visit to a farmyard and pond, as well as the barns and gardens that Weir constructed. The park is open for self-guided tours, as well as guided tours.
The Coltsville National Historical Park, dedicated to the accomplishments of industrialist Samuel Colt, is a must-visit destination for history buffs. It tells the story of the city’s transformation from a rural village into a hub of innovation and industry.
The 260-acre historic district encompasses the Armsmear mansion of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, factory buildings of the Colt Firearms Manufacturing Company and worker’s housing. The park also features hiking trails, picnic areas and a visitors center.
In 2008, the area was designated a National Historic Landmark. In 2014, Congress approved the establishment of a national park to honor the site’s important history.
Since then, advocates have been trying to turn the 260-acre Coltsville complex into a national park. The enabling legislation calls for an advisory commission to help the National Park Service develop a management plan.
