We needed a break on our drive from MA to NJ and this was just about the mid-point for us and just…read moreoff the highway. It is a pretty state park for a short visit if you're in the area. Lots of college students throughout the park from nearby Quinnipiac University. There are plenty of open space, picnic tables and trails for everyone to enjoy. Lots of different trail options but the tower trail is the most popular. Not much shade on the tower trail and a fairly decent elevation change in a short distance. Make sure to check the weather and bring water. Beautiful views from the highest point in the park and you can go inside the tower.

This was such a nice and beautiful hike! We went here end of October when foliage season was coming…read moreto an end quickly. We got to see amazing views and lots of foliage. The hike was not bad and it was super busy. Huge parking lot and lots of people that day. The views at the tower were awesome and it's definitely a nice spot for pictures. A local gem.

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".

My first trip to Maltby Lakes was wonderful. Looking for a short hike near home. Saw 3 deer…read more Beautiful.

If you go to Maltby Lakes, you will be amazed that you are actually in West Haven. It's definitely…read morethe most beautiful area in town. As mentioned in a previous review, you need to purchase a regional water authority pass for access. You have to post your pass on your dashboard, and the property is gated with a combination lock which you receive the code to when you get your pass. This is nice actually because limited access keeps the area more pristine. Usually you will only encounter a few other people while walking which is wonderful if you're going to the woods to get away from it all. It's a peaceful, serene environment. It's a great area to take a walk/hike during any season of the year. There are numerous trails, many of them bordering on the water. All of the trails are gentle and fairly easy to traverse. There are many deer in these woods, which make for nice nature sightings. Take your camera because the scenery is truly beautiful.

This a beautiful, scenic park on a mountainous top outside of downtown New Haven and it offers…read moreopportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, leisurely strolls, etc. It's a big area and on the day of my visit, the paved road going inside the park was closed, so we had to walk a decent amount to get to spots like Soldiers and Sailors Monument and scenic overlook vista points. The hike to the monument and scenic vista point on the paved road trail (one-way) can take up to 30 minutes if not longer. There is a (sort of short-cut) trail that goes through the woods that has rocky steps and is a rigorous hiking route. It was a nice weather day and a perfect way to work-off the delicious New Haven pizzas we ate beforehand. We enjoyed our visit here while checking out the beautiful scenic views and the monument. I am not giving it full five stars because the park lacked proper direction signage for the trail(s) and as far as I could tell, I did not find any bathrooms or port-o-potty services.

I'm from out of state and I personally didn't like my experience here very much. The views of New…read moreHaven from the top were amazing, but I cut my visit short, because there were a few people at the top who looked scary to me and who were doing wheelies on motorcycles and some kind of motorized carts. Not to mention the mufflers were very loud. As a person who gets overwhelmed easily and gets sensory overload and walks alone a lot, it's scary for me and anything could have happened to me if I were the only one there. So after I took a few quick pictures, I walked quickly to keep up with the only small group of people who looked safe to me. I personally think there should be a little police booth at the top and more security in general. I think everyone deserves to be able to feel safe!

A recent-ish trip back to CT had me visiting this spot again for a nice morning fall walk and it…read morewas lovely! It's always so lush here. I appreciate the little parking lot, although it can get pretty crowded on the weekend so plan accordingly! The trail around the lake is perfect for a brisk walk with lots of shade. My husband and I have walked it many times and it's always well kept with very little traffic. There's a portapotty but no other bathroom options aside from that so come prepared!

Close to home excellent for a quick afternoon trip Great…read morescenery and not to challenging

Nice easy flat trail. Not much to see but the water views are nice. Large Egrets in the water and…read morea large eagle. Trails are narrow but if you're looking for an easy stroll by the water, this is a good spot.

Thank you, David Anderson, the Trolley Trail is thanks to…read morehim. Boy Scout Troop 442 lent helping hands to build this trail through the marshlands. A lovely 1.2 mile out and back, revitalized old trolley track. Bird watchers are in for a special treat, kids delight as crabs scuttle by their feet. Parking has always been a breeze and the trail is flat, navigated with ease. Be sure to sit and take in the peace (save the hum of life that doesn't cease.)

I wish I read reviews before going but friends told me it was the place to be…read more 8/10 dogs were off leash, which was a disappointment for my one reactive dog, so we had to leave after snapping photos of the swans in the pond. Typically on hikes when you see a dog approaching you leash them immediately to pass. This isn't the case here. I only write this post to warn others.

Great place to hike or walk dogs! Nice views and creeks to…read moreexplore. plenty of parking

This is a nice little park, but pretty small - 61 acres per the DEEP site. The main entrance for…read morethis park is on Short Beach Road in East Haven, where there's a small lot right next to a house - it can be easy to miss. This park is surrounded by houses, so it doesn't really feel all that private. It feels almost like it should be a municipal park or preserve. It seems to be a favorite of locals walking their dogs, which is what we were doing as well. Once you get past the fire road, there's a lot of meandering trail in the marsh area. The views are pretty, and it's a nice little place, but it seems to need some blazing and trail maintenance. There's also a picnic area marked on the map, but it's just a meadow area - no picnic tables.

Great little nature preserve nestled in East Haven. Some beautiful views and osprey nests. Yes,…read morethere are houses around but it's pretty sweet for basically being right in town.

5 star views! You can see neighboring Chauncey, and Besek Mountain peaks, and glimpses of the…read moredistant Metacomet and Tunxis Trail ridges. Up close the geology is gorgeous highlands and rolling grass with rock, grass, and gravel along the well-blazed path. Follow those blues up to heavenly views. Definitely wear your hiking boots. As you can see from the start, trap rock is super rough. Despite the roughness, like much of the New England Trail, you are quickly at the ridge line. Higby has two ascents cut by a small, tranquil water crossing. At hiking speed you can get to the peak in an hour and a half, but those scenic views will probably slow you down. Unless you're through hiking to Tynan Park, this is a rewarding scramble. If your littles outgrew the Ergo, hike with care and keep them away from the edge. The views are rewarding, and parking is easy with an exit right after Baileyville Rd./CT 147, but there are no facilities whatsoever. It's an off-trail squat kinda hike. Nonetheless, the winter ice is gorgeous. There are slick spots in spring but you can hear spring peepers around the first ascent. In summer this is a cooling escape. In autumn you have fine views of New England foliage. In all a rough but rewarding hike, and likely close being just off a couple major highways. When you need a getaway and gas savings, here it is!