I absolutely love this trail! I just bought a new bike and I look forward to riding it most days…read morenow that the weather has been nicer. It's a paved trail that is nicely maintained, and most areas are secluded away from traffic so I can just enjoy my ride. I live in Hamden and I think the trail is safer and prettier going north towards Cheshire vs going towards New Haven which goes behind graffitied warehouses (and the vibe doesn't feel as safe). There are also free parking lots along certain parts of the trail (such as at the entrance by Quinnipiac). I definitely recommend coming here for a walk, run, or bike ride!!

As far as recreation paths go, this one is pretty nice for a short bike ride. It's paved, so…read morepersonally, I think it's not great for jogging, but it isn't incredibly long either, as yet, so it makes for sort of a short ride. Maybe 12 mi at most, back and forth, out of Hamden, past Sleeping Giant and on north. It crosses a few quiet roads and even though there are stop signs for the trail-users, traffic invariably stops for you. It's definitely a place to zone out, enjoy the green and the fresh air. UPDATE: A note from the locals suggests that path-users should be aware of surroundings, as there are incidents of crime on the path. So don't zone out too much. The trail has more dips and swells than a rails-to-trails trail, but it doesn't have any real changes in elevation. The "canal" element means that it's a bit buggy . . . and there is a well-placed water fountain! I can't figure out how the distances are marked (it looks like they have multiple systems going) but maybe someday it will all make sense to me . . . There's a great route - pretty, low-traffic, with good shoulders - from town to the southern tip of the trail, at bikely.com. The trail is pretty heavily used, though, especially in the after-work hours (less so on a summer weekend!) so you have to watch out for walkers, joggers and in-line skaters. UPDATE: And people who park their ass in the middle of the path to chit chat. And kids who stop and don't know any better. As always, it helps if bicyclists pass on the left and hail when passing! The address here for the Association is not where you'd start the trail, I don't think. But there are a few places throughout Hamden where you can pick it up. There are lots of signs around and there's a map at the website.

There's a few different sections of the Naugatuck State Forest. We went to the Quillinan Reservoir…read moreBlock, which is in Ansonia. There are a few ways to access this park, we decided to go from the Ansonia Nature Center. The transition over to State Forest is pretty subtle, mainly with some markings on the trees. This park is also adjacent to some watershed land, that is also marked really well. This park has some nice hiking trails, with a lot of different loop options. We ended up doing a 10k (6 miles) hike, on the white and purple loop trails. The trails are nicely blazed, and there's a really good variety of trees. We went through some hardwoods and some pine forest, and there were lots of plants and some water views of the reservoir at various points along the hike. It's not too strenuous elevation wise, which was nice for a moderate hike. Mountain biking is allowed in the park, and we saw several people out for a ride, so it seems a pretty popular location for biking, and the trails seem not overly eroded. My only complaint is this park is adjacent to a gun club, so for a good chunk of the hike (mostly the white trail) was done to the sound of near constant gunfire. It's not the most tranquil thing, especially if you're sensitive to that sound.

This is a beautiful walk around the reservoir. The day was overcast with a threat of rain, but the…read moretemperature today made up for the darkened skies. Colorful leaves are starting to pop out everywhere, and I suppose this place will be in it's prime in a week or so. If you're in the neighborhood, you have to stop by and enjoy the scenery.

It was a beautiful day for the beach. We went to the West Haven beach yesterday. I haven't been…read morehere in a few years. They have a large parking lot, where you can pay on the meter. I love the boardwalk here. The boardwalk is long, as long as the beach, with plenty of benches if you should need a rest. They have some of the cutest pups walking along the boardwalk, it's like a dog parade. Then even have folks who walk around with boom boxes. Providing a bit of a situation to dance to anyone who's around. The beach is easily accessible right by the boardwalk. Unfortunately it wasn't the cleanest. There was a substantial amount of seaweed and other debris. The sand wasn't soft, it was full of broken shells and other particles. The cleanliness could depend on peak of season. As I mentioned I enjoyed the boardwalk of this beach. There's kids on rollerblades, and people on bicycles. It's a nice way to catch the sun.

This place is gorgeous and the path goes really far connecting to Bradley Point Park & Old Grove…read morePark. Easy to skate down or jog. Well kept and very clean.

This trail is about 4miles give or take there and back. There are benches along the way and two…read morebridges going over the water and one tunnel under the highway. It does flood under that bridge if raining a lot. There is a sign that says flood zone turn around don't drown or something like that. I can walk the whole thing in about 45 minutes. And there are a few little tails off it into the woods but they don't really loop and you have to turn around and come right back. You cal also park at either end.

"Oh, Suzie Q Baby, I love you, Suzie Q"…read more(Creedence Clearwater Revival) The indigenous people's word "Quinnipiac" roughly translates into English as "long-water people". The Q River is 38 miles long, and you'll get a gorgeous view of it from the bridge on the Quinnipiac Linear Trail. We had a lovely hike on the trail today, as did dozens of friendly walkers who smiled and waved to us as we walked from the main parking lot to the bridge and back. It was a very easy low impact walk of about two miles round trip. The trail is flat, paved, and very wide -at least fifteen feet wide. There were a few side trails marked by fresh mulch or wood shavings if you want to go off the beaten path. We saw plenty of interesting things on our walk - basketball courts, a wood walkway over some wetlands, several informational kiosks, a Lending library with a box of Narcan Nasal Spray prominently on display up front, a labyrinth, and scenic views of the Merrit Parkway which at times seemed about 50 feet from the trail. One other interesting but infuriating thing we saw was a collection of red, black, and blue knotted bags of dog doody that was neatly stacked around a Pet Waste station just under a sign that read "Please Keep This Area Clean".

We've hiked here a couple of times since my first review, and I have to say, this is a really great…read morepark. There are nice overlook views along the trails, and the state did a really good job of repairing the trails after the storm damage in 2018. My only real complaint is that, like almost all CT campgrounds, they don't allow dogs, so I can't enjoy camping in the park, but from a day use perspective this is a great park.

Just came back from a 3 day camping trip in Kettle Town State Park, and we loved it…read more We pitched our tents on site No.61 a nice shaded area right across the bathroom facilities. The showers are clean and the water is just right. Every day the camp site workers come by to keep everything nice and neat. Definitely a place to return to in the future, we paid $77 for 4 days, 6 people, 2 tents & 2 vehicles.... you can't beat that for a great outdoors experience with the family.

My Uncle John and my Aunt Doris were avid birdwatchers. They are also members of the National…read moreAudubon Society. I was a member for many years and loved to volunteer for local community service projects. I also love to visit sanctuary and park locations to spend time out in nature. This is an absolutely beautiful park in my former home state of Connecticut. It is memorable to visit with family and friends. This time of year the fall colors are beautiful to photograph. If you are in the area make this a stop to escape from the world!

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Great birding, hiking, beauty and topography are really something to be…read moreexperienced. Fair warning, beware bears. Just be prepared and bring your bear defense accoutrements. No one has ever been attacked or even charged but just being fair to the Audubon and you the hiker/birder. Note: no dogs allowed.

Gorgeous park! Incredible views. Lovely benches to relax. We enjoyed a walk despite strong winds…read more Surprisingly, it is somewhat secluded. Highly recommended!

Today, I made a quick trip to Seaside Park Beach because my daughter really wanted to visit the…read morebeach, but I was tight on time. We compromised with a short stroll to the shore and back, just enough to enjoy the fresh air and the view of Long Island Sound. Seaside Park is a local gem with soft sand, big grassy areas for picnics, and scenic walking paths, all designed by the same folks behind Central Park. It has a welcoming historic archway and plenty of space to stretch your legs or just sit and watch the waves. For Bridgeport residents, it's very budget friendly at just $15 for an annual parking sticker. ( I got mine today) Non residents pay more about $35 a day for Connecticut visitors and about $55 for out of state guests. Even though our visit was short and sweet, my daughter was happy just feeling the beach. It's a peaceful spot for a summer afternoon, whether you're in for a long day or just a quick breath of ocean air.

Another trip to CT landed me at Savin Rock Beach. Very pretty location. There is a nice divided…read more walkway with a bike lane as well. Many gorgeous pictures to be taken here. As you come to the end (or beginning depending on which direction you started) of the trail/walkway there is a nice park for the kiddos. Slides, monkey bars/jungle gym. There is a parking fee if you aren't a resident.

Nice clean park with beautiful hand painted art work and wall murals. Very nice long walking path.read more