Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Talcott Mountain State Park

    4.5 (50 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Talcott Mountain State Park Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Talcott Mountain State Park

    Recommended Reviews - Talcott Mountain State Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    view from inside heublein tower
    Elisa F.

    Great easy hike that's good for pets & small family members! Very accessable with great fall views and well maintained trails! This was our first time actually going up into Heublein Tower which was incredible! Especially during peak fall foliage. Take a drive down to Talcott Mountain Collective for a beer after your hike and enjoy more of CT's beauty! This is definitely my go-to hike to bring visitors.

    View from heublein tower
    Jennifer C.

    This park is amazing, especially if you go during the fall to see all the foliage! It took me about 40 minutes to get from the bottom to heublein tower at a pretty moderate pace without stops. The initial 10-15 minutes of the hike are decently steep and will get your blood pumping but after that it levels off and becomes a much easier hike. All along the hike, you'll get views overlooking the surrounding area and definitely picture worthy. But when you get all the way to heublein tower, the 360 degree views at the top of the tower really is the best. The park/trail is well marked and easy to follow. Also, even though there are a ton of people on the trail, especially on the weekends, it never feels crowded because the trails are pretty wide. At the top there are a bunch of picnic tables so you can pack a lunch/snacks and eat them at the top with a great view. Would definitely recommend this place to bring family and anyone visiting! Well worth the effort for the views.

    Not at peak foliage yet but beautiful
    Susan R.

    This is my favorite fall hike. It's a gravel trail that is easy to follow in the sense of not getting lost yet it's a moderately difficult hike due to it being quite a steep work out. However, the pay off on top is well worth all of the sweat and exertion. If the Heublein Tower is open you can tour it for free for even more spectacular 360 degree views of Ct. This hike should be every fall lovers fall tradition. Check their website for the Tower Toot which is their yearly fall festival with food and music. Free parking.

    Joe B.

    Great hike! Beautiful views of Simsbury too. If you go straight up and down you can reach the tower and get back to your car in a little less than an hour, but definitely buffer in some time for sight seeing. Try to get here early or go on a weekday/night because the lot fills up so quickly it has to be monitored or closed off by a local ranger. Be careful of the busy intersection while parking because of all of the cars.

    Sammi M.

    I came here for a hike up to the Heublein Tower on a chilly Saturday morning. The trails are well developed and the views amazing. The trail is moderate difficulty with the hard part right at the beginning. The tower is currently closed due to Covid but when it is open it's a great, free, view!

    Erik S.

    A fun hike loaded with history and views. There are many trails to explore and connect with while taking in nature. The walk up from the Simsbury side is moderately steep so plan accordingly with appropriate shoes and take your time if you are not used to exercising on inclines. However once on a he ridge the inclines are much more spaced and it is predominantly mild. Follow the trail past the tower (photo) to connect to Hoe Pond (photo) which offers a tranquil area off the beaten path.

    Lan K.

    One of my favorite places in CT to hike. It is a steep incline (but not like you're on your hands and knees) for the tower trail. It's a really wide path so it accommodates the large crowds that are sometimes there. We always see lots of families with little ones hiking. It is a relatively short considering the extremely satisfying view you get at the ridge. If you continue past the ridge, which I recommend you do, it's less of an incline and you'll come to Heublein Tower. Since you got some rest on a more flat path from the ridge to the tower, it is totally doable to climb the tower, if it is open. You'll be rewarded with great 360 views at the top. The stairs are one way so make sure to check out the rooms on the way up because there is no access on the way down. There are miles of other trails that are less busy and still beautiful as well.

    Thien N.

    Home to the Heublein Tower, Talcott Mountain State Park is a classic hiking destination in central Connecticut. Location and scenic views are two of the main reasons why this mountain is not only so popular to hike but a favorite among locals in CT. To access the tower trail, follow the park entrance. The first entrance near the park sign is a heart-pumping 1.25 mile hike up to the tower and picnic area. A walk to the tower from here takes about 30-40 minutes. It's a gravel trail so wear comfortable sneakers or hiking boots. You can also take the more manageable entrance near the helipad, it's less intense and will connect you to the yellow-blazed trail which will also bring you to the tower. Both routes first climb to the top of the Talcott mountain ridge before traversing the ridge to the Heublein Tower. You can also access the summit of Talcott Mountain using the blue-blazed Metacomet Trail. It's much more of a rugged hiker trail but it doesn't feature quite as many scenic views at the Tower Trail. Always free but officially open to the public from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, Talcott Mountain State Park is a wonderful spot to enjoy fall foliage from above too where Heublein Tower packs impressive panoramic views of Hartford and the Connecticut hills.

    Carolyn M.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said? This place is amazing! In recent months, I've made Talcott Mountain State Park my weekend adventure day location. We always park down towards the end of the road and walk up past the entrance to the park, past the helicopter pad and into the "side" unmarked entrance. This particular trail is more steap and not as paved with rocks, but it's amazing. I clocked this route today at about a 2 mile hike up (2 mile down) using a fitness app on my phone. Obviously if you're going on a day like today after many days of rain, make sure to spray with bug spray! The mosquitos are deadly up the side paths as the trees hang lower than the more travelled routes. Another thing to consider is bringing your own water if you need it. Lately the water system has been out and there are no sources for water. Otherwise, it's a gorgeous park, clean and kept up and the views from the cliffs and tower are breathtaking! Definitely a must!!

    Heublein Tower
    Dan L.

    Enjoyable hike with a nice goal at the end... Heublein Tower. There are kind of two stages to get to the tower. A moderately steep hike up the mountain up to the top of the ridge, and then you hike along the top to the tower. I recall it taking about 45 minutes to the tower, but I didn't rush and stopped along the way to check out the really nice views (which are little sidetrack paths off the main trail). The main trail itself is within a well-forested area and I found myself using my phone to see how close I was getting to the tower because I kept feeling like I was just about there (I wasn't). This was my second hike of the day so I was pretty pooped on the way down. I heard one mother tell her kids, "It's easier on the way down" and I wanted to shout, "Liar!!"

    A view from one of the lookouts
    Laura R.

    This is a great hike with really awesome views. I've only taken the trail to Heublein Tower, although I know there is at least one other trail in Talcott State Park. I also like that it is pretty short; it's a little over 2 miles round trip to the tower and back which is perfect if you don't have a ton of time to commit. The first part of the hike is pretty steep which makes for a good workout while the rest of the hike is pretty flat. I'd also recommend climbing the steps of Heublein Tower when you get to the top-- the views are amazing and the steps definitely add to the workout! If extra cardio isn't your thing, you can always pack a lunch and eat it at one of the picnic tables at the top of the mountain instead. If there was one complaint I had about this place, it would be that it gets very crowded on the weekend. There are tons of people including families, kids and groups; it kind of takes away from the hike for me. I'd recommend going during the week, if possible.

    Deana C.

    This is one of my favorite hiking trails in CT. Not too simple yet easy enough for kids or your dog to join as well. I come here a lot in the spring, fall and summer time! I love coming here to unwind from a stressful day and relax. The views are amazing and everyone is always so friendly. I bring my nephews with me and they love it. Plenty of places to sit and relax once you make it up there. Maybe even bring a small blanket and some snacks/take a nap. Whether you're looking for a little work out or just to relax this is the perfect place for it.

    Heublein Tower

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 3
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Amazing and easy hike with the gals. The view is amazing from the top. It is a great hike to chat with people and too far from Hartford

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe B.
    586
    979
    5722

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian S.
    255
    1992
    28197

    17 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan L.
    28
    226
    325

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lizz K.
    306
    270
    1367

    15 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily C.
    3594
    1280
    7568

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Noah W.
    123
    10
    3

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Nice place to trail in early September to view the fall colors. It's very good in summer with families and the view looks awesome

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Talcott Mountain State Park

    Can this mountain trail and peak be reached by hybrid bicycles? Can it connect to the Farmington Canal Trail?

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Talcott Mountain State Park

    If the Heublein Tower is open you can tour it for free for even more spectacular 360 degree views of Ct.

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 1,773 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Reservoir 6

    Reservoir 6

    4.8(10 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    What a beautiful place! Even in February at 25 degrees and snow on the ground. There is parking off…read moreAlbany Turnpike and in the other end of the reservoir. The land is on 3000 acres and has over 30 miles of trails and woods. They are open daily from sunrise to sunset. We walked on the road because the trail had some snow on it. My step counter said I walked about 3.1 miles in that loop. There is a water treatment facility in there with parking for employees and vendors. Once we got to the other parking lot, we got onto the paved trail and walked by a dam. Eventually, the trail becomes gravel; the view of the reservoir was stunning (see my pics). I did see some benches at the begining of the trail. There were tons of people walking, jogging, and dog walking, even in the cold. I didn't get to explore all 30 miles of trails yet but I look forward to doing so when the weather gets warmer!

    If you're heading down Route 44 from the Farmington Valley toward Hartford, you'll see the sign for…read moreReservoir 6 on the left. We found over a thousand acres of some of the prettiest scenery we've seen in a long time. There is a 95% flat and non-challenging path that circles the reservoir in a 3.6-mile loop. The reservoir is gorgeous, and you'll catch glimpses of Simsbury's Heublein tower and the Hartford skyline on your walk. We ran into maybe 100 people out there today, enjoying the gorgeous weather and scenic beauty of the grounds. A lot of folks had their leashed dogs with them, everything from a huge Great Dane to a medium sized Bichon Fraise to a tiny mini Schnauzer that was being hand carried. I loved the fact that every single dog we saw (that wasn't hand carried) was both leashed and well behaved. But, I hated the fact that on two occasions, we saw a tied blue plastic bag of dog poop laying right on the center of the path. How freaking lazy and disgusting can you be? It's very odd to see the different personalities of the fellow visitors -some were super friendly and loved to chit chat, others wouldn't even make eye contact as we passed in opposite directions. Oh well..... There is a small parking lot shortly after you pull in, but if its full, no worries -just keep driving on the road and soon you'll hit a second lot on the other side of the reservoir. We saw a few MDC police cars on the grounds, so apparently, they patrol the area.

    Photos
    Reservoir 6 - Parking lot from Rte 44

    Parking lot from Rte 44

    Reservoir 6
    Reservoir 6

    See all

    MDC Reservoir #6

    MDC Reservoir #6

    4.9(7 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    What a beautiful and long reservoir loop!…read more First time coming here. I couldn't do the whole 3.8 mile trail due to time, so I opted in for the scenic view along the water. What a view! There are parts of the trail in the beginning where you get a taste of the woods while still being close to the water on a flat surface. There are a few tripping hazards I did come across so be cautious. There are two trail path entrances in the Albany Ave. parking lot area and plenty of parking, as well as in the other lot, and some spots along the side of the road. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 7 feet. Leave nothing but footprints, and no littering! The reservoir was very clean with no trash in the areas I walked minus the one doggy bag. There are benches to sit and enjoy the view throughout the trail

    I wrote a review for the other Reservoir 6 page but I'll add my two cents on this page as well…read more Reservoir 6 is owned by Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). The reservoir itself is 135 acres. There is a 3.6 mile (red loop) walking path all along the body of water. The yellow paved path, is out and back and is 1.4 miles. The blue Metacomet trail also goes through; you can reach the Hublein tower on this trail. There are two parking spots; one off route 44 and the other located on the northeastern side of the property. I've walked on the yellow and red trails and thoroughly enjoyed it. The view of the reservoir is very calming and pristine. The trail is very flat and easy to walk on. There are many walkers, dog walkers, bikers, and familes with strollers. There are also porta potties, when nature calls. At the eastern parking lot, you can see the Hartford city skyline. It's definitely a relaxing place to get some exercise and fresh air!

    Photos
    MDC Reservoir #6
    MDC Reservoir #6
    MDC Reservoir #6

    See all

    Fisher Meadows - Ahhhh Spring has arrived.  Tread lightly on the trails.

    Fisher Meadows

    4.5(12 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    We've been to Fisher Meadows a couple of times, sometimes to enjoy the quiet and calm, other times…read moreto enjoy the golden hour, and once to enjoy a warm cup of masala chai surrounded by nature. It is a great spot to witness the magic of different New England seasons.

    This recreation center is on 250.45 acres and is open year-round from dawn to dusk. There is a…read moredecent-sized gravel parking lot with a small playground with swings, picnic tables, and a pullup bar. There are two entrances to the trails by this parking lot and playground. I saw a huge field that is used for soccer. On the lake, you can fish and use non motorized boats; a boat launch is available. This recreation area is suitable for walking, jogging, hiking, cross-country skiing, biking, canoeing, bird watching, picnicing, and camping; for camping, you need to get permission from the Town of Avon. I walked the red trail then got off that trail halfway and walked by the well pump building; this brought me back to the parking lot. That walk was about 2.54 miles because I didn't want to do the bigger loop. On the AllTrails app, there are two trails in the park; Spring Lake and Fisher Meadows Loops. The walk was easy but there were some flooded and muddy areas. I have a feeling it is buggy in the summer but on this fine sunny March day, it was very pleasant except for getting my sneakers wet. Overall, a great space to enjoy the great outdoors.

    Photos
    Fisher Meadows - Ahhhh Spring has arrived.  Tread lightly on the trails.

    Ahhhh Spring has arrived. Tread lightly on the trails.

    Fisher Meadows - My baby boy, exploring.

    My baby boy, exploring.

    Fisher Meadows - 2024-12-29: Low hanging mist above the cooler thin ice and below the warmer air.

    See all

    2024-12-29: Low hanging mist above the cooler thin ice and below the warmer air.

    Alsop Meadows - Main entrance to Meadow Alsop Meadow.

    Alsop Meadows

    4.0(3 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    I'd like to start by noting the Alsop Meadow is a quiet gem, tucked away off Waterville Road and on…read moreNassau Way in Avon. I have known of this Meadow since the 1980's. I actually lived in the original Alsop homestead on Nod Road with 8 other house mates (32.5 rooms, including 5.5 bathrooms) from 1984-86. The Alsop family was & still well known in Avon and its connection to Uncle Teddy, yes, that former President Teddy! The Alsop Meadow is a gifted land trust to the Town of Avon. The land trust features a Farmington River side trail, a peaceful short wooded walk ending at Private Property, which is very clearly marked. An open frisbee golf course starts near the gateway to the Meadow and winds through the trees and the open meadow. A plot of Community gardens are located on the North edge of the Meadow. The gardens also provide a great pollen source for bees and butterflies. A port-a-potty is available and is maintained by the Town of Avon and its lessor. Located near the Canoe launch, placard noting the Alsop's generous gift, and an information board showing the Farmington River trail. If you bring a pup, leashes are required, you're also required to pick-up and carry out their waste. Despite that small sacrifice Alsop Meadow is worth visiting and bring a few frisbees!

    Alsop Meadows is a 56.20-acre park located in the Town of Avon. The entrance is behind the Raymour…read more& Flannigan furniture store. The dirt road going into it is very narrow and can only fit one car, certain spots there is a spot to pull off to let other vehicles go. There is a decent sized parking area and a porta potty. A couple of small trails lead to the Farmington River. This is where people take their canoes and kayaks out. I walked on the dirt road through the gates and on the left, there was a community garden. The scent was lovely; ripe vine tomatoes was what I smelled. The rest of the landscape consisted of woods and meadows; there was someone mowing the large, flat, open space when I was there. Around the garden, you won't be able to see the river in the spring and summer, but I'm sure in the late fall and winter, the views and access to the river is great. The park is open from dawn to dusk, daily. The recreational activities include, jogging, walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and camping. For camping, permission is needed from the Town of Avon. I walked to the end of the dirt road and back; it was a short walk but peaceful nonetheless. I do recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat because there is minimal shade; bug spray too because the mosquitoes were rampant. I saw other people walking their dog and others enjoying the river side. A peaceful spot; however, if you want a longer walk/hike, this doesn't have it unless you walk back and forth a few times.

    Photos
    Alsop Meadows - Okay Red ribbon winner.

    Okay Red ribbon winner.

    Alsop Meadows
    Alsop Meadows

    See all

    Glover Trail - Kiosk

    Glover Trail

    4.0(2 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    This 0.4-mile trail is part of the Simsbury Land Trust. Parking is located on street at King Philip…read moreRoad. It's a wet meadow with boardwalks and small bridges at certain spots. A beautiful native garden can be seen at the trail entrance; there were signs showing what type of plants these were. These plants attracts butterflies and birds. It was a very easy trail and I loved the boardwalks. The plants were pretty with the flowers popping up. I noticed a tree fell down on one of the boardwalks; must've been from the recent heavy rains we had. Overall, a cute spot to embrace nature and take an easy short walk.

    Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah On a blanket with…read moremy baby is where I'll be (The Drifters) This was unexpected. in the middle of this very pretty trail you will find a boardwalk, in fact LOTS of boardwalk it will keep your tootsies nice and dry as you walk through the wet grasslands. This is a short, flat, and very manageable trail, less than a half mile in length. Its off to the side of a residential neighborhood, more or less where Hartford Road, Princess Lane and King Philip Roads converge. One of the very cool things we saw was a well-marked native plant garden toward the start of the trail. It was cool to see the names of the plants and earn a little about them. Throw in a very cool boardwalk, a wood bridge, a spectacular view of Talcott Mountain, and you have a very pleasant diversion for 30-45 minutes courtesy of Mother Nature.

    Photos
    Glover Trail - Signs showing what type of plants were planted

    Signs showing what type of plants were planted

    Glover Trail - Flowers

    Flowers

    Glover Trail - Serene view

    See all

    Serene view

    Penwood State Park - Leash your doggies

    Penwood State Park

    4.1(17 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    This 787-acre park was established in 1944 and connects with Talcott Mountain State Park, which is…read moreacross the street. Curtis H. Veedor donated the land to the state and asked for it to be preserved the way it was. Most of the trails were blazed by him. The parking lot was large. There are multiple trails including the Metacomet Trail and picnic areas. I took the first trail I saw behind the gate, which was the blue blazed trail. The trail was on an incline and paved; there was a bunch of potholes so it looked like it was never kept up with since it was originally paved. However, aside from the pot holes and rocks, it was a peaceful and easy hike. I saw a couple of people on it with their dogs. Overall, a decent hike with some good views!

    BLUE TRAIL ONLY…read more "Forty Miles of Bad Road" was a rock and roll instrumental and #9 hit for Duane Eddy in 1959. Now, bad roads don't necessarily have to be 40 miles long. And bad roads don't necessarily have to even be a conventional road. For example, a bad road can actually be a paved hiking path within a State Park. Within Penwood State Park's 800 acres you will find a wide variety of trails -blue, red, orange white, purple and yellow. The blue trail, also known as the Metacomet Path, runs straight up the park's gut like a North to South central artery. We walked a few miles of it this morning. First we parked in the main lot on Route 185, pretty much on the Bloomfield/Simsbury Line. The blue trail is flat and wide and paved, so it's an easy low impact hike for out of shape beginners like us. We started off with some pretty water views of Gale Pond and the back yards of some nice properties. But as we walked deeper into the tree line, we were very taken by the terrible conditions on that paved path. Cracked pavement, crumbling pavement, missing pavement, deep holes in pavement, etc. I couldn't tell if it was plain old wear and tear or frost heaves or water damage or old age, but the trail had some abysmal sections that seemed plain old hazardous to me. So you'd better keep a sharp look out if you value the health of your ankles. There were a few sewer or drain covers rising above the trail's surface like sea creatures or the shells of mutated turtle monsters. The hazards were spray-painted yellow, so someone is aware of their dangers. For a State Park, I sure expected better conditions on that trail.

    Photos
    Penwood State Park - Pot holey

    Pot holey

    Penwood State Park - Chilly, found a good looping route to ease the cold paws .

    Chilly, found a good looping route to ease the cold paws .

    Penwood State Park - Paved trail

    See all

    Paved trail

    West Hartford Reservoir - Spring, please don't trample it.

    West Hartford Reservoir

    4.6(62 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    I'm amazed by the beauty of this place!…read more MDC operates the water treatment plants located at this reservoir. This is a privately owned area and not a public park. There was MDC Police that patrolled the area when I was there. Parking was plentiful when we went on a beautiful spring weekday. There were clean porta potties onsite. There were trails in the woods and out in the open; the trails were paved and gravel. It is opened daily from sunrise to sunset and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. There were two trails; 3.4-mile loop red trail and 2.0-mile loop yellow trail. We started off with the gravel yellow trail that has a slight incline. Then we got onto part of the red loop which was near the bridge overlooking the water. We saw a couple of deer in the woods, geese, and turtles in the water. This is where we walked on pavement. Some of the trees were marked by type. The trail was busy with walkers and bikers. Overall, I really enjoyed the hike/walk and can't wait to go back.

    The WH Reservoir has been my peaceful playground and refuge since the '70's…read more Hard to believe that State Connecticut had a planned to construct ring highway through the hills beside the Reservoir. Following public protest and legal battle(s) the project was shelved indefinitely back in the 70's. This was also about the time, vehicle traffic was barred on many of the back MDC roadways. What was left, beautiful network of paved and foot beaten paths. Everyday day of the week, the public are welcome to walk, jog, saunter, bicycle these mapped trails. Mountain biking has been throttled down significantly due to excessive wear and tear on the wooded areas. Biking still remains popular long designated routes and in a one-way pattern (for everyones safety). Pedestrians: Please mind the painted walking path, eyes on drifting into the bike path - that way ALL will enjoy. Kilkenny rock has been one of my favorite destinations (refer to an MDC map) this is a nice overlook of the Hartford sky scape. Trails also connect from the Farmington Avenue entrance across to Route 44 passing over Avon Mountain. GPS and one of my favorite apps "All Trails" are helpful even to a season chap like me.

    Photos
    West Hartford Reservoir - Pretty darn groovy sectional view cut.

    Pretty darn groovy sectional view cut.

    West Hartford Reservoir - Early morning in the woods - great prescription!

    Early morning in the woods - great prescription!

    West Hartford Reservoir - Nice wooded trail, drizzle fought off by leaves.

    See all

    Nice wooded trail, drizzle fought off by leaves.

    River Park

    River Park

    3.0(2 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    This hidden 14 acre park is located in the Old Avon Village Parking lot, right at the exit in front…read moreof the traffic light. It was hard to find at first because the address was wrong on Yelp, but with a little perseverance, I finally found it! Yes, I requested for Yelp to update the address. There was a huge sign at the entrance with rules and facts about the park. It is a privately owned park open to the public. The trail was grassy with very little gravel at some spots. There were little signs throughout with bits of information; some were really old and faded, some didn't have anything on it. There is a big pond in the middle; on the southern portion, you will see the Farmington River and Alsop Meadows across the way. In this area, there were giant beautiful birch trees. There were picnic tables and benches in various areas. A great place to picnic, take a walk, and just take in nature in the midst of a busy area filled with plazas and roadways. However, I gave it two stars because the signs and picnic tables were old/broken; there was a huge tree that fell over and the grass was kind of long. We had to check for ticks thoroughly after. Overall, a cute little park that needs a little loving and attention.

    If you ever find yourself in the Old Avon Village Shopping Plaza, make your way over to the lower…read moreparking lot's eastern most extremity. You will see a sign for the entrance to River Park, it's kind of right next to the parking lot's exit onto busy Route 44. It's a privately owned 14-acre park that was impeccably maintained. There is a mowed grass trail into the woods with a very easy to follow trail that takes you into the forest and under a nice tree canopy. Walk a little further and you'll discover the water- a very nice Pond with some gorgeous scenery. There are picnic tables, benches, and a fire-pit spread throughout the 14-acres for your enjoyment. The Park was developed for a 2010 project by Avon Girl Scout Troop 66291.

    Photos
    River Park - Love these birch trees

    Love these birch trees

    River Park - November 2024 pond view, algae?

    November 2024 pond view, algae?

    River Park

    See all

    Talcott Mountain State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...