This was our 3rd hike this week, and by far the best one I've done in quite awhile. We chose the…read more3.5 mile (yellow) trail which started off along the river, past an old quarry and up to 2 vantage points (one mostly obscured). The trails are well maintained and clearly marked throughout. It starts off along the river and then moves along through series of hills of moderate height. It takes around 2 hours to complete, and the varied scenery makes it the whole trip a joy. We will definitely be back in the fall to see it again with more colorful foliage.

"Sixteen miles to seven lakes way up among the pines In some…read morehidden valley where the twirlin' river twines" (Gordon Lightfoot) Hidden Valley is beautiful - a quiet and tranquil oasis of peaceful solitude. It covers over 900 acres with wooded scenery, hiking trails, gorgeous river views, and a very cool wooden timber suspension bridge known as the Thoreau Bridge. The bridge was the high point of our visit. It spans 134′ across the Shepaug River. We saw a few photographers stationed on the bridge snapping away in search of a perfect photo of Mother Nature' majesty. Spread across the bridge's handrails and a bench at the base of the bridge are etched quotes from Henry David Thoreau's essays. The inscription on the bench contains what is perhaps Thoreau's best-known passage: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Some of the best trails CT has to offer. Steep Rock in the Fall should be on every CT native's…read morebucket list.

Love love Steep Rock! Diverse land. Nice for family hikes. Nice restaurants near by. Cute town…read moresetting around. Trails. Driveway. Great parking.

This was a really nice hike I took recently. My cousin took me here and mentioned was a popular…read morespot to hike and swim at. It was so cool to walk through the trail with all the fall leaves and there wasn't anyone around at all so was able to enjoy nature (went in the middle of the week). The weather was perfect and cool which worked out as I did sweat. I was able to make it to the tower and had a really nice view around with the trees and the water. There is a beach too but we only drove passed it (looked really nice). For the tower just watch your head as there are spots, including going outside, you have to duck. It is a short trail up to the tower but be aware some spot can be a bit challenging to climb with going up hill and rocks. It did rain prior and was a bit slippery too but gotta watch your footing regardless. Overall this was a great place and would absolutely come back.

A great place for a short hike and the view at the top is stunning. It's a relatively short hike,…read morebut as you can see from the pic, a little goes a long way. It's a nice place to escape into nature.

The state of Connecticut has owned Mount Bushnell State Park for over 100 years. In that time, they…read morehave done (as far as I can tell) nearly nothing except possible a small parking area off Tinker Hill Road. My personal theory is Tinker Hill Road once ran through the park and the forrest has since eaten it up, because there not one, not two, but THREE Tinker Hill Roads in the immediate area. The one with the small parking area is off Loomarwick Road. The other Tinker Hill Roads will bring you to either a private property, or what looks to be another private property but on a dirt road. As for the park itself, "state park" is a bit of a misnomer. "State forest" would be more accurate. It's pretty clear for a forest, but bring your boots and tick spray. There so not seem to be any clear paths.

Lake Waramaug State Park has so much to offer, whether it be camping, fishing, swimming, renting a…read morekayak, boating, having a picnic, or just to take in the beautiful views. I came here for kayaking. This beautiful, scenic lake is clean, and circling the lake is an enjoyable 9-mile paddle. From the water, you can take in the scenic hills that surround the lake, or view some of the waterfront gorgeous homes. This state park is well worth checking out.

It's an okay stay over place, large spaces, no privacy, but pleasant enough. What totally ruined…read morethe experience were the extremely loud campers across the way who's nonstop shouting and swearing went well into the quiet hours with no one to contact for assistance since staff leaves at 10:00 (the start of quiet hours!)

With all the hard work Miss Diane puts into the Pratt summer camp program the children who attend…read morewould never have had the chance to experience such a wonder fun filled nature learning summer. Every day my 7 year old grandson comes home thrilled to pieces sharing his exciting day! Grandma Bennett

The Pratt nature center is a truly special place!! Children can learn about nature and the outdoors…read moreand explore. The nature preserve is filled with Fields, mountains, rivers, lakes, trails. there's even a small farm. The staff is amazing!! A hidden treasure in New Milford.

I love the stone tower! The first time I came here the place seemed enchanted, covered with…read morethousands of ladybugs flying around and all over the actual tower. They were also bees and other things buzzing around dragonflies and such. That was in October of 2024. We went back yesterday (April 7th 2026) there wasn't anything flying around, but it still was a magical place to go. lol. It's a great place to go for people who don't really wanna do a huge hike. Very easily accessible and pretty.

"All along the watchtower Princes kept the view…read moreWhile all the women came and went Barefoot servants, too" (Bob Dylan) Want to take a very cool and very short hike that ends at a spectacular water tower? If so, you'll love this 15 minute hike that runs about .6 mile out and back. There's a fascinating history behind Camp Columbia State Forest. Between 1885 and 1983 Columbia University held engineering and surveying classes on the property. In fact, a summer program at the camp was mandatory for engineering students. I also learned that Columbia University President Dwight Eisenhower spent time at the camp watching football practices and hunting. Some important stuff was invented and created here. Want an example? Sure you do. Well how about the concrete roof over Madison Square Garden? That engineering breakthrough was pioneered here. World War I saw the US Army train their officers and hold mock infantry assaults here. Student interest in the "Camp Experience" fell in the 1960s and combined with changes to the engineering curriculum, Columbia ended their use of the Camp. For the next 20 years or so, they used it on special occasions but eventually closed it in 1983. By 1989, many of the camp buildings had deteriorated so badly that the town declared them as public hazards and they were demolished in a controlled burn training exercise. In 2000, the state of Connecticut bought the property for $2.1 million. The outbound trail has a very slight incline, and be careful of the tree roots and rocks, or you may end up on your face. Also, be careful of a few downed trees that rudely block the trail. We saw two very cool things on the trail. The first was an old abandoned building, probably a camp meeting house. The roof was partially open from wear and tear, The front door was wide open, and we saw there was quite a bit of spray painted graffiti inside. The other cool thing we saw was a 60-foot cylindrical water tower with an observation platform, a gift of Columbia's Class of 1906. The front door to the tower was open as well, and if you're more adventurous than we were, you can walk up those stairs to another door that leads to an exterior cylindrical staircase. The scenery along the trail is very pretty with lots of wild flowers and berry bushes. (The park is on West St in Morris, CT. I submitted the address correction to Yelp)

I HAD to go back to this because it's such an amazing experience. I'm sure they do more than "Fall…read moreFoliage" trips but that's when I visited in the past. Despite my best efforts in the past to do Fall train rides, which turned out to be disappointing only because there was never any good colors on trees, this by far is the very best fall foliage experience I've ever had in my life. You get great views of the tree color transitions and just great photo opportunities. It does get cold on the water so bring a jacket. Experience is as excellent as last time with beverages and snacks for purchase. If you enjoy fall colors, great scenery and boats then you have to do this at least once.

A peaceful Hudson River cruise from Peekskill to Bear Mountain. Beautiful views and a truly…read morerelaxing experience! Such a wonderful way to spend the day. Very pleased with this cruise!

ORIGIN: Natalie Van Vleck (1901-1981) found the Flanders…read moreNature Center & Land Trust in 1963 (@flandersnaturecenter). This was in effort to preserve the environment she enjoyed as a resident, artist, and environmentalist. LOCATION: Born in NYC, Van Vleck studied at the Art Students League (@aslnyc), and made a studio on the property of the farm her parents had purchased in 1926. The studio currently is the site of a variety of programs offered by the nonprofit, including fittingly art classes! EXPERIENCE: The legacy of Natalie Van Vleck has been sustained and expanded through the nonprofit -- Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust. Quite a few parcels of land around her family's Woodbury farm have been preserved, complemented by programs dedicated to the activities she enjoyed -- art and nature. The Van Vleck Farm and Nature Sanctuary is a destination that is particularly ideal for all ages. The trails are shaded, flat, short, and sprinkled with benches and picnic tables. The center coordinates activities that facilitate or enhance trail activities, including guided walks and letterboxing (a popular treasure hunt activity). A surprisingly large variety of art and nature activities are organized by the non-profit... check out the website (www.flandersnaturecenter.org) to see the latest offerings!

Pancake breakfast is fantastic! Delicious pancakes, sausage, orange juice, and coffee. All served…read morewith a smile! their syrup is outstanding!