This is a beautiful park, it's very well maintained and clean. There are a lot of people walking their dogs. You can walk in a small boardwalk and read about the wildlife. There are also some more challenging hikes where there is even some scrambling. Very clean and peaceful. The pine needles smell so beautiful! There's lots of free parking. You need pay for parking if you're out of state. Plenty of porta potties and bathrooms. read more

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It has been at least 25 years since we last visited this park which is a shame because it is a true gem. There is no entrance fee for CT residents and only costs $5 for out-of-state vehicles. We enjoyed walking around the ponds and trails with out dog as it appears many others do. The sole disappointment is the small covered bridge is currently closed. Next time, and there will be a next time in the not too distant future, we will bring a lunch and settle in at one of the many picnic tables. read more

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I really love this park. It's beautiful doesn't matter what the season is. I love that there are paved walking areas and trails in the woods. You can find a small covered bridge there. Also it has a lake available for swimming, nice walking area through marsh. Parking is free for Connecticut plates. read more

Chatfield Hollow State Park - Parks Near Me - Killingworth, Connecticut

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A nice state park open for free to local plates and a parking fee for out of state cars. It's a pleasant park with a nice swimming lake and walkable trails all over. Easily can spend a day here depending on weather and food read more

Chatfield Hollow State Park - Parks Near Me - Killingworth, Connecticut

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Diverse trails, good fresh water fishing. Also great for a picnic. Took our dog there for walks. Beach is small but I never felt crowded

Best time is fall, summer and spring. Great place for young kids to ride their bikes. read more

Lovely state park with paved roads for scooting and biking. Has looped trails as well as a covered bridge, waterwheel and ponds. Recommend!

Gorgeous, peaceful and well maintained. It's worth the trip!! Clearly marked trails. 5 stars. read more

this place is awesome! Great for short walks or long walks! Go here in the summer you get to swim and winter you get to experience an unreal experience! read more

Chatfield Hollow State Park - view from hike - Parks Near Me - Killingworth, Connecticut

This is a fantastic park, one of the best we've been to in CT since moving here. Chatfield Hollow has a little bit of everything: There's history (This was a park built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 30s) there's fishing, there's even a little sliver of a beach. There is a climbing wall in the southern end of the park that is pretty popular, having been a place for rock climbing since the '70s. There's also a really nice network of trails here, from short little jaunts to a decent route that takes you all around the park. This would be a great park to just come and have picnic, or spend all day wandering the woods. It's well maintained and has restroom facilities all around. A+. read more

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Beautiful park with so much to see. Great to take kids. Flat wide and mostly paved trail. read more

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Beautiful local state park. Multiple ponds to walk, bike or drive around. Fishing is allowed in season. Tons of beautiful woods hiking trails with maps. Porta potties AND full service bathrooms during season. Can't go wrong. Bring the family. Go swimming, exploring our just relax on the sandy beach by the lake/pond! read more

I wasn't expecting much but this place is so beautiful and absolutely charming. Babbling brooks, plenty of dispersed picnic tables, little white flowers in the grass, beautiful trees that hug you... I was totally charmed. read more

Chatfield Hollow State Park - White flowers decorating the grass by a creek - Parks Near Me - Killingworth, Connecticut

I can find no reason to give Chatfield less then 5 stars, if I did it's because I would want it all to myself and discourage people from going. Off the beaten path just enough to make you feel like your out in the remote wilderness somewhere. Love the trails, lake, picnic areas, boardwalk over the Marsh, wildlife, parking, and restrooms (clean!!). As tranquil as you can get for a state park in Conn. read more

Chatfield Hollow State Park - Bridge over the waterfall - Parks Near Me - Killingworth, Connecticut

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The blonde Park ranger was very friendly and knew all the trails and animals off the dome and saved a bird. 10/10 def coming back

Such a great, big park that's perfect for everyone! They have a few trails; my friend and I went on the Witches Hallow Trail and it was super fun, as there is lots of climbing as well as straight paths. Bathrooms by the beach area was very clean which is great! Would definitely travel here again read more

Nice place for a walk, but it gets crowded quick on a weekend with nice weather. The newly constructed bathrooms are a big improvement.

This is my first time here. It is beautiful and peaceful. The lake has a small beach area and there is a lot of room to hike or just walk around in the trees. It's also free on weekdays to residents AND out of staters! Other places charge you $9-$15 just to park. I will be back!! read more

Chatfield Hollow State Park - Beautiful little beach and lots of walking and hiking in the shade. If you love nature, visit this place! - Parks Near Me - Killingworth, Connecticut

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What can I say, this place is super clean, remote, offers camping, swimming in the lake and some trails to hike. There are some spots people were rock climbing and others who choose to walk around the lake on the paved road. There's something for everyone to do at any difficulty. read more

Favorite park that's nearby- good for a quick escape and stomp around. Especially stunning in fall as well as spring. Has a swamp boardwalk where one can see lots of skunk cabbage blossoms & red winged black birds in the spring (pretty sure it's handicap accessible). We tend to be drawn toward the east/northeast loops with more of the hollow topography- they have easy trail signage and lots of rock outcrop areas (gneiss) with beautiful moss and fern pockets around spring seeps. read more

Complete gem in our own back yard. Miles of trails. Dog friendly. Clean. Well kept. Great for family hikes, walks, exploring. Very small entrance but the Park is huge. read more

CHATFIELD HOLLOW STATE PARK is a great place for a picnic but I love it best for a walk. Very dog friendly and a safe place for the family or to walk by yourself (on the road). If you do not want to drive in and pay $$, park before the entrance (2 places) and walk in. You can walk the roadway or the many paths into the woods. If you have not attended one of their summer evening concerts you missed a lot, a full orchestra and friendly nice local people attend, bring food and wine/beer. This park is not listed as alcohol prohibited. A gem for us locals in the area. Weekends can be crowded and noisy but still appear to be family orientated. read more

As a climber who fell on the cliffs last year, I BEG FELLOW CLIMBERS AND HIKERS TO BE CAREFUL AND PAY ATTENTION AT ALL COSTS. This park is beautiful and majestic, there is so much to take in and enjoy. However, they ask you to stay off of the cliffs for a reason. PLEASE LISTEN, you do not want to learn the hard way like I did. However, I do not wish for people to stay away from this park, because there is so much to do, and it is an amazing place to relax and find your peace with nature. Enjoy this amazing state park, and cherish it!!!!!!!!! read more

Chatfield is a short ride away and probably the best Park for me within that distance. My favourite attraction (if you can call it that) is the boardwalk. After you go through the main gate and see a large parking lot on your left you will find one entrance. Walking along the road is fun and it gets better when you venture off into the trails. read more

One of my very favorite state parks ever. Chatfield Hollow is huge, loaded with wildlife, and kept relatively clean. There's dozens of different trails to explore (and possibly get lost in) and a fairly large pond in the center with a beach. My friends and I come here to hike/fish/swim all spring and summer long. The park is big enough that even on busy days it doesn't get uncomfortably crowded, because there's so much space to spread out. Tons of picnic tables and charcoal grills allow for great parties or cookouts! There's scenic trails, covered bridges, and streams/waterfalls as well. Definitely one of Connecticut's best state parks. read more

Always clean and well taken care of! This is the perfect place for a summer picnic, hike, fishing or day at the park. Plenty of places to find your spot whether you're looking for a beach near the pond, grassy area near the stream or just a good hike! read more

I wish I could rate this park 5, but guess there are few limitations that I couldn't overlook. First of all, for the positives... 1. The park is very pretty. Lots of tall pines that make for very cushy ground to walk on. 2. Plenty of parking - best part is there is parking right by picnic areas so you don'[t have to lug your cooler and other things more than a few feet! 3. There are plenty of picnic tables and grills scattered around the park. 4. There is a pretty boardwalk (but I wish dog owners will always have a bag with them to clean up after their pooches! This one guy in front of us had two huge dogs with him and one kept defecating in chunks and he just said, "Oh I need to bring a bag, just watch out". So, yeah, we had to then get ahead of them to avoid following the trail.) Now for the few shortcomings... 1. Lake/Pond is small - but I guess whatever was there was pretty clean. 2. Beach area understandably is small due to the small size of the water body - but again, it was clean 3. I didn't see any modern toilets, but the one outhouse I did use was quite large and clean. 4. I wish there was at least some sort of an outdoor shower facility to wash off if you get in the water, but to my knowledge, I didn't see any. All said and done, I would love to go back and spend few extra hours there. read more

Small but pretty state park with hiking, a lake, a trail for biking/running/dog walking, and places to grill and hang out. Very clean and plenty of parking! read more