Beautiful park to walk or hike in. They have an amazing history trail that uses braille. Historic lands! Also has a beautiful waterfalls running through it. read more

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Had fun taking the brisk day to walk with my daughter down the walking path at Valley Falls. I always get neat pictures and great exercise. read more

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After Sunday brunch we decided to go to a park near by, to enjoy the day in the sun. We went to Valley Falls Park since it was just six minutes away from the diner. This is a really nice park. First I noticed the little beach where kids were playing in the sand and swimming in the water. This is a shallow little brook of water that's safe and clean for little kids to play. There is plenty of green grass, that's well maintained, perfect for a little picnic. The trails at this park are pretty flat for the most part, they have interesting plaques about the history of the park. We really enjoyed reading through each plaque and learning about the space. There is a nice little waterfall, and a stream of water that's passing through the trails. This is where we saw the Great Blue Heron. I really enjoyed walking through the Valley Falls Park. It is peaceful, relaxing, well maintained and a great escape into nature for a while. The parking lot isn't very big, plan accordingly if you're coming here. read more

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I was looking for a peaceful place to start my day, with my coffee in hand I arrived just after sunrise, the parking lot was empty and it was as if I was the last person on earth. I walked towards the sound of falling water, as I crossed the raised paved drive my eyes scanned the small beach before approaching the spillway and watched the crystal clear water drop from the concrete structure to the rock filled brook below before disappearing in the wood-scaped shoreline in the distance. I sipped my drink as the birds welcomed the day, their songs echoed through the trees and seem to harmonize with the waterfall below the spillway I know this must happens daily with or without anyone around to appreciate it. This beautiful green space is not as far from civilization as you would think, the land has historically significant value for those that know the area for me it seem to be close to nothing. As the sun climbed up the cloudless sky I knew my time here would be interrupted by the late risers, it seems there are others who understand the importance of what exist here. The first was a dog walker who disappeared down a trail moments after exiting his vehicle, the dog tugged at it's leash and pulled his handler as if this was the morning routine, a old man with a bamboo fly rod made his way to the beach hoping to catch his daily limit of trout, he stacked his tackle on a lakeside picnic table as he lit a smoke just before wading a few feet from the tranquil shore casting his what I'd bet was his hand tied fly onto the water's surface. I collected my empty cup and made my way back to the parking lot yielding to a Subaru with two young hikers that took the first space they spotted in the vast parking lot and quickly donned their backpacks and disappeared at the top of the trailhead - my day was well underway and regrettably it was time to leave although somewhat jealous of those that appear to have no obligations except to enjoy this beautiful space this was a good day... read more

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Nice little park with trail, little waterfalls, a beach area.. definitely recommend for times you just need a little outing. I come here with my kids and they love it read more

A hometown favorite of mine (mainly because it's a 6 mile trail run from my home) that's has rails to trails crossing right through. A multitude of trails ranging from flat to a little hilly. Theres something here for everyone, whether it be sitting on a sandy beach soaking up the sun, fishing, leisurely strolls, more intense hikes with elevation & even a trail for those who are visually impaired. They have a trail with guide ropes leading to signs with braille sharing some of the history of this site where the mill use to be. Theres 2 seperate "peaks" where you can catch a great sunrise which is part of the Andrew Kenneth Webster preserve or as many younger locals call it, "The eye". This is because of a mural painted at one of the lookouts of an eye overlooking the trails below. Less than 2.5 miles from Bolton Notch where the trail connects to the east coast greenway. read more

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Minus the adult in the parking lot blaring his music like a 17 year old, I had a nice time here. I came here for a first date, it started to rain so we stayed in the parking lot under the trunk of her suv. Once the sun popped out we went for a walk on one of the trails. She lives near buy and comes here often so I let her be the tour guide. The trail she took me on would make for a great running trail (and biking). The park itself from what I did see looks like a great spot for a family trip. Place to swim, trails for walks, and a good place to have fun. read more

Fun place to visit to check out birds, hiking trails, and even a pond stocked with fish. There is a blue heron (maybe 2?) that hang out near the water, fun to watch it fly or look for fish. Covered area with picnic tables, port o'potty's for when nature calls. read more

Valley Falls Park - Parks Near Me - Vernon, Connecticut

Love the outdoors , went on a walk and really enjoyed some of the nature views I would really recommend you try get up one day and take a walk read more

What a wonderful park and such a hidden gem. I was looking for a close by fishing spot where I didn't need a canoe and Valley Falls came up. After seeing reviews from some of my most favorite Yelpers...I knew it would do the trick. They have plenty of parking and a nice little patch of sand if you just want to catch some rays. They also have plenty of spots around the lake where you can set up...hang out...and fish for a spell. I only checked out a portion of the lake, but they have plenty of improved trails with steps, railings and benches. This park is very dog friendly and a perfect place to take the pup on a hike. What a great find and its only about 10 minutes from my house. I will be back! read more

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My friend and I went here to hike. I was pleasantly surprised to see a lake once we pulled in. Very pretty and serene. We started our hike only to see part of the park was closed off for construction but we made our way to the opposite side. I believe if it weren't for the construction we would have been able to see a waterfall. I'll make sure to go back to see the fall foliage read more

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Valley Falls is a picturesque, hidden gem in Eastern Connecticut. The park is loaded with trails that pass through ruins of textile mills and an old trout breeding farm. There are plenty of trails to choose from including ones that are challenging and ones that are nice and easy. The 3.4 mile-long blue/yellow loop trail wraps around the outskirts of the park before bringing you back to the main parking lot. The trees are so dense that even in the fall with no leaves, they can easily cast shadows that make it feel much cooler. Along with the beautiful trails, there is a picnic pavilion, swimming "hole", an area to fish, toilet facilities - Valley Falls really has it all! The perfect place to bring your children, your dog, or just yourself. Valley Falls is at the top of the list of reasons why I love living in Vernon. To get to Valley Falls use I-84 and get off exit 66 and head south towards the mountains on Bolton Road or Tunnel Road. Turn on to Valley Falls Road and turn into the parking lot. read more

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I'm fortunate to have Valley Falls Park in town. A historic national site, It's one of the more scenic parks in Eastern Connecticut. 183 acres, 9 miles of walk-able routes, and 7 different walking trails -- it's no wonder locals flock to Valley Falls! A gently rising terrain with light to moderate obstacles, this park has something for everyone. Hiking, running, bird watching and snowshoeing and cross country skiing are popular activities. A large man-made lake sits in the middle of the park for fishing and swimming too. While I see dog-walkers all the time, just as a note -- dogs must be leashed at all times. Some other amenities include a playground, picnic pavilion, toilet facilities, and a swimming beach. There are many hiking trails. Ones that pass through ruins of textile mills and an old trout breeding farm, to trails that snake through the wetlands and meadows -- Valle Falls ranges in difficulty and terrain depending on which trail you take. The 3.4 mile-long blue/yellow loop trail that wraps around the outskirts of the park is very popular -- you'll see everyone here: bikers, runners, walkers. I like the loop trail most though. It's a nice 700-800 foot climb to the top that allows for nice views of the park and beautiful views of the surrounding forests. The red-blazed trail is the easiest. It's a 2.5-mile main road trail that's fairly level terrain throughout. During the summer, there is a $5 charge per car for parking. Throughout the park there are educational signs about the park in both Braille and printed English. Overall it's a nice park and loaded with things to do. read more

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I can't say enough about this wonderful outdoor natural resource in Vernon, CT. The small lake is stocked with trout at the beginning of fishing season and you see many local residents flocking to the waters eager to try their luck. This is a wonderful place to take children to learn how to fish or for nature walks around the lake or through the partially wooded areas where there are several brooks and streams. As the weather warms up, you can swim, sunbathe or picnic in one of the most beautiful out door settings imaginable. read more

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My husband discovered this place a few years ago and from then it has been our favorite hang out spot. We enjoy to go here mostly in the summers and fall. The summers are good and fall time has very good colors and is a good spot to capture few pictures. This park has a small river. They also have many picnic tables and BBQ pits. I love to pack some food and enjoy eating here. The park is well maintained and there is staff always on board to watch for safety. You can swim / play in the water during summers. A very scenic park with a couple of trails to explore. Pets are allowed inside the park. Parking space is just outside the park. read more

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Been going here to hike since I was a kid and it's a great collection of trails! No matter which trail you take it's filled with beautiful nature and some wild animals even! There are only two downsides, one that there are a lot of ticks and the second is that the most difficult trail is not that challenging. Great for kids and adults of all ages since it is mostly flat. read more

First thing I want to mention is there is no fee for the park... I was really relieved not having to spend $9( if your a ct resident) just to relax or have a home packed meal... A very nice place to unwind and unpack a picnic lunch, by the water...Couple of freshly painted picnic tables spread all around...lots of garbage bins too for the after mess. There is a small beach area.... The kids enjoyed themselves and then an icecream truck stopped by which brightened their day even more. Good place for a swim...or fish, if that's not your thing or you don't like to get ur feet wet. Although I dint go on any trail seams like a nice place for it... On my list for next time. Really loved it.... Will definitely be back next summer to make the most out of the place. read more

such a beautiful area and if you walk all the way up to the top you can walk rails for trails!! :)

Conveniently located near where I live so when I need a walk or need to connect with nature this is a local place that's nearby to towns where I can grab food afterwards. The water here is not the cleanest so I wouldn't swim here but the walk on the trail is very calming and there's never too many people which makes this a serene adventure. You'll find people walking, jogging, fishing in the pond, biking, and sometimes even riding a horse. This stretch is quite long and you can get quite a kick out of this depending on what you plan on doing. Easy parking, good location. Not comparable to Maine and New Hampshire but it's one thing we got nearby. read more

Valley Falls Park - Parks Near Me - Vernon, Connecticut

Nice little beach. It was clean and busy but not crowded. Clean indoor bathrooms as well. There were two lifeguard stands and rotating lifeguards about every 30 minutes. However, my two year old wasn't allowed to wear any type of lifejacket or flotation device. That ruined the experience for us, so we won't be going back. It's $5 to park. read more

Valley Falls Park - Parks Near Me - Vernon, Connecticut

First thing that you see is small but nice lake with a little beach. Yes, you can swim when lifeguards are on duty and fish there. Going further there are lots of hike trails. We didn't explore those that go up because we had little kids with us and those trails didn't have fences or anything protecting from the fall, so we just had a nice walk along a stream. Place is great for relax and dog walking. They have private free parking too! read more

Valley Falls Park - Parks Near Me - Vernon, Connecticut

Favorite spot to bring the dog. Off season we have free range of the entire park. On season, Memorial Day to Labor Day, they prefer you keep the dog on the leash in the picnic/swimming area. Even so, if you come after the lifeguard leaves (around 5:30) no one gives you are a hard time about using the "beach". Once you make your way back to the trails you are free to let your pets roam. All of the owners and dogs we have met have been so friendly (the grumpiest people seem to be the fishermen so don't pay them any mind). The trails themselves are not terribly challenging, although they do offer a few different paths. More than anything its the laid back atmosphere and the amount of fun the dog has that brings me back literally every week! read more

A pretty good place to go for a nice hike. I love taking my dog there and going through the streams. They have a few good trails that give you a decent workout. The beach is ok but wouldn't recommend taking a dip in it. The pond isn't big enough and therefore you feel dirty going for a quick dip. read more

very family oriented. Great trail and little water fall. A must go!

There are nice hiking trails and a little beach area that is great for kids. This would be a great alternative to going to the beach if you live in the area. There is not a fee for parking or to use the beach area. read more

Valley Falls Park - Parks Near Me - Vernon, Connecticut

Beautiful scenery especially during sunset. There is a a small beach area, picnic table, and hiking trail.wonderful place for a nice secluded day in the sun. read more

Valley Falls Park - Scenery 10/9 - Parks Near Me - Vernon, Connecticut

Visited recently with my husband and two kids and I've got to say this place did not live up to expectations. Lots of trash around the park grounds, a few guys walking around who appeared to be getting drunk started things off. A walk down to the water along one trail led us to a smoker with his unleashed, large dog that growled and tried to charge us until I yelled at him to get his dog under control. There were lots of snakes and the trails were not well cleared and were slippery. My daughter slipped and ended up with a nasty cut and bruise -- narrowly missing a bunch of broken glass. All in all the place needs to be cleaned up in more ways than one. A bummer. read more

Love walking and biking the trails here. Scenery is beautiful and people are generally friendly as you pass them. Parking is good and free. Come early in the morning and you have the trail to yourself for the most part! read more

Have been coming here since moving to CT 6 years ago. I still find hidden gems throughout all the trails in the area. Worth the trip

I've been here many times over the years. Use to take my girlfriend for walk, fishing, photography. Been doing this for 15 years. Then all of a sudden I got accused of taking pictures of children one Independence day by some idiot that didn't have any evidence that I did so. The park officials told me to leave. Well okay, never again will I go to Valley Falls. I'll take a walk through a sewer system before I'll ever go there again. read more

Wanna take a walk? Enjoy walking or hiking? Contact Mother Nature or have a BBQ with the family? Well this is the place. Really close to Vernon center. Has an entry fee of 5$. Lots of places to walk. Lots of family and kids. Also it is possible to do some fishi read more

Our family likes to take our dogs on a good walk around valley falls. There are different trails to choose from. Some areas can be a bit steep although easily handled by all of our kids. The area has a little spot for swimming with life guards there. You can also fish for trout. read more

We love Valleys Falls, especially during the fall. The vibrant colors of the changing leaves are gorgeous. We visit about twice a month, and I always make sure to bring my camera. We have so many amazing pictures, in fact we took over a hundred during one visit in October. It is a great place for the kids too. The trails are not too rough but the tree roots do make it bumpy for a four-wheel stroller. I recommend bringing a three-wheel one if you have it. The trails are quiet as well and do not have the bicyclists like the nearby Rails-to-Trails, which actually connects to the park if you want to take that way. Summer at Valley Falls is fun as well, especially with the beach there, but that does get somewhat crowded. About the only thing I do not like about the park is the dog crap. It is a great place to bring your dog, and many people do, unfortunately too many of them (or maybe one person with a dog that has a bowel problem) are inconsiderate and do not pick up after their pets. So when you're on the trails, be on the look out for these hidden surprises, especially between the pavilion and the heavily wooded area. read more

Great place for a short leisurely hike! It is connected to rails to trails if you would like a longer flat walk or to ride your pike. There is a large pond that you can fish in with a permit. There are life guards in the summer time and a roped in swimming area at the pond. During this time there is a small parking fee. There is a covered picnic area with bbq facilities, bathrooms and playground. There is also a small area on the right side of the park called the brail trail which is an interactive area that helps people understand different handicaps. There is a small water fall and river running throughout the park. It is pet friendly. . Great facility. read more