Crystal-clear water + sunny spring day = perfect hike Spent a beautiful spring sunny day at Wadsworth Falls State Park, and it did not disappoint. I took so many pictures of the clear river. It's seriously that stunning. The swimming water vanished. We hiked the Wadsworth Falls Loop (3.6 miles, easy, great waterfall views) and also checked out part of the Main Trail. Trails were in good shape; just a little mud here and there, but totally manageable. Bonus tips from my visit: · Dogs welcome on leash · Free for CT-registered cars; $10-15 for out-of-state · Restrooms, parking, and picnic tables available · Get there early on a sunny day to beat the crowds If you love clear water, peaceful forest walks, and two distinct waterfalls, don't miss this spot. Already planning to come back with an all-terrain wheelchair for a friend (you can reserve one in advance). Would I go again? 100%. read more

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Gorgeous gorges! Although this park has ample signage against swimming, the Coginchaug River is lovely on the eyes and ears, and being centrally located, Wadsworth Falls is a great local escape. If you have the right footwear in winter, it's a place for a rewarding hike! Boots and grips and the occasional side stepping is good for your winter trip. Mind the tracks, or crews tending the still in-use tracks, then enjoy the lovely views of multiple waterfalls, some frosted over, but water audibly rushing beneath the ice. Starting out, we didn't see the blue trail marked on the yellow and orange junction map, but the trails were well-marked with vertical tree blazes, so if you take the orange, yellow, or blue trails, you should be in good shape. If you don't have the time for a decent hike and just need a restful stop, large falls are just below the parking lot (those no access signs on the trails don't kid!). All year, enjoy! There are zero facilities here, and the only amenities appear to be accessible recreation and a dog waste station beneath the parking lot, but you aren't in the middle of nowhere. Pack in, pack out, and enjoy as much or little woods as you like, and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of the many falls. read more

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We love it here we come here probably about three times for the year just a quick note. Don't bring a blanket to sit under really grassy area by the Falls. Resist the temptation beautiful files never really crowded even on the day. Is it crowded clean and has parking? read more

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Very pretty park with beautiful waterfalls. The signs could be better honestly. Some parts were confusing and not connected so not the safest trails in some spots. Other than that it was nice. There are 2 big parking lots. Some picnic tables with grills by the parking area, before entering the trails. read more

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Honestly, I went to the park to grab a trail Run while visiting Connecticut to bring my mother for a visit with her sister. I had very low expectations, I was wrong. A very decent range of options for trails - East coast trails, I.e., rocks and mud - with a lung worthy level of incline. Things to consider - the always ever present tick, mud and boulders. Make sure to wear trail shoes with a decent vibram sole and wear tights or compression socks. Make sure to do a tick check before you get back into your car. read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park is a pleasant State Park close to the center of Middletown. The hike to the falls should be manageable for almost anyone. The short walkway down to the falls is steep but there are steps cut into the trail making it relatively smooth. The waterfall is very peaceful and beautiful. Definitely worth multiple visits. There are a few trails, a beach and other park standard features like bbqs and picnic tables. read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Rockfall Forest Trail Map - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Absolutely amazing scenic view of the Big falls as well as the Little Falls if you're up for the adventure to find it. The main waterfall itself is gorgeous however if you're willing to hike through out the woods and take a step in to nature, you will not be disappointed. Although the Little Falls is a little tricky to find due to the trail indicators but it is easily able to find!! I couldn't for the life of me find the little falls, but I did....eventually FYI** if you are at the main falls parking and take a left out of the lot, there will be train tracks to the left. Follow those until you see a break in the woods, about 50 feet on your right. This will be across from train tracks take a right up the hill, don't cross tracks!! (there will be another fall and a red house/barn across so you know your in the right spot) Follow the path on the right and it should lead you to the blue path! read more

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A very scenic area in general, but overrun by rude, littering jerks. Trash and people climbing over the falls despite signs. So go on a weekday in the morning. It's a shame! read more

A highly underrated pitstop through the CT suburbs, follow the locals and venture down to get some of the best photo ops of the summer

Great hike! It was difficult to find The Big Falls coming from the main parking lot. On our second visit, we drove to a different (smaller) parking lot and the Big Falls was right in front of the parking lot If you go to the main parking lot, you will have to walk to end of trail, walk on street and cross the railroad tracks to get to the Big Falls. Just note there are two parking lots. read more

I'm a novice as far as waterfalls are concerned, and this one was beautiful, but not breathtaking. I think you have to see a truly spectacular view to really give a waterfall a five! But this one was nice because there was a short trail through the woods leading to the main event so the waterfall was an instant gratification experience! There are many other trails for hikers, but I was happy to take the easy walk to the water. The rocks were slippery, and several other nature lovers were taking photos of the falls, so we had to be cautious. We appreciated the rustic natural steps that lead us to the top of the falls so we could get a different perspective. The walkway was enclosed for safety and it was a pretty sight! The water crashing down the rocks into a foamy pool of water and rushing down through the forest brought me an inner peaceful vibe. There were signs with "no picnicking" and a few of them were misspelled which made us chuckle. But overall, we enjoyed our outing to this cool spot! read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Great adventure, about a 2 hour walk on the main trail. There are 2 different parking lots . We are glad we parked at the one furthest away. It was a nice walk The other parking lot was right there at the big falls. Parking is free for residents.we are from out of town and they do monitor the lot . You have to scan a barcode and it costs 12 dollars to park for the day. read more

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Simple easily accessible. I enjoyed the review. I would've enjoyed the hike but only had time to stop in for a short visit read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Very relaxing place to sit by the falls and chill. The park ranger was extremely helpful

Wadsworth Falls is one of the more popular state parks in Connecticut, and for good reason. You get a chance to see two waterfalls, there's a pretty extensive network of trails that are hiking and mountain biking friendly, and there's also a swimming area. That being said, it can get really busy in the spring and summer, especially when the falls are going nicely. This is one of the parks that I've seen the most people at when we've been hiking. It's not totally perfect, and could use some maintenance by the big falls area, and some general trail maintenance. There's a lot of erosion, and some of the trails could use some switchbacking or stair building. Still, it's a great park to visit, go for a hike, and have a picnic at. read more

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Wadsworth Falls State Park is well known for it's waterfalls, Wadsworth Little Falls and Wadsworth Big Falls. So far I've only visited the big falls that are found on the Cherry Hill Rd entrance. This is a beautiful high volume waterfall fueled by the Coginchaug River. It's approximately 25 feet high and hiking is negligible. You can hear the falls right from the parking lot. Unfortunately the park shows some evidence of people not picking up after themselves, so it's not exactly a get away oasis but definitely a gem of a waterfall. read more

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I grew up going to this state park and it's nice to see people enjoying the falls and the beach area. Now it my grandchildren turn to enjoy Wads worth Falls state park. read more

If you're looking for an easily accessible waterfall in CT this is it. But keep in mind everyone else probably had the same idea. On a warm weekend day it'll be packed. You can either drive right up to a parking lot next to the Big Falls or hike from the main entrance. The hike is fairly easy and well traversed path. The orange path is well marked and leads you to the big falls. It's a decent walk but not difficult. After the train tracks you'll see a path to Big Falls where lots of people will be taking selfies instead of actually just watching the waterfall. The main entrance to the park ha as little beach area. So it's nice to go, hike the trails, see the falls, then go back to the 'beach' to relax. read more

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I traversed the main trail (orange trail) during a busy summer Sunday. It was packed to say the least. Tons of people swimming, grilling and hiking. I tracked the walk on my Apple watch and it came out to roughly 3.5 miles round trip; main entrance to big falls and back. The trail was fairly easy, only a few slight inclines that left me a little short of breath. I also never felt like I was going to get lost, so that was comforting. There was a noticable amount of trash however along the trail which was a shame. By the time I got to the big falls, I was taken aback at the number of people there. Roughly 100 people posted up on the banks, grilling, drinking, smoking, swimming. It was a freakin madhouse with no possibility of taking a good picture. Signs clearly say no swimming but people obviously dgaf. I can't see myself returning unless it's super early when no one is there. read more

This is a beautiful retreat to come and take your mind off of things. You can opt to do the hike which starts at the park or there is parking right at the falls. From a distance you can hear the large splashing of the waves. Walking down I recommend being careful as the stairs have no railing and can be slick. At first glance I was in awe at how beautiful the falls were. Continuing on, it was overshadowed by the amount of garbage of careless humans. There were also signs that posted no swimming or diving. Unfortunately, people pay no mind and do as they please. Overall, it would be great if the state did something as well as the many visitors to make a difference of such a beautiful place. read more

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This had to be the worst hike I've ever done in this state. Connecticut has a ton of beautiful, scenic areas where you can unplug, relax and enjoy nature. This isn't one of them. Don't get me wrong- it was certainly beautiful (if you ignore the trash and litter everywhere) but the crowd made this place unbearable. The parking situation was awful. The lot was filled to the brim with cars (mostly from out of state), and cops were ticketing people who parked in unauthorized spots. The swimming area and picnic areas were bustling-- loud music playing over even louder music. It took us walking nearly a mile before it drowned out. On our way to the falls, we passed trash and litter along the trail. We actually took a bag with us for our own trash, but started collecting other people's garbage because it was so rampant and broke our hearts to see it. When we walked back down, to our surprise, the trash was back. A trail of blue solo cups in the place of the trash we just picked up. Unreal. Huge mobs of people were hiking up the trail together, loud and rambunctious. As we were showing my son a tiny snake slithering by, another kid came by and stomped it with his foot. Another group came up blaring music and smoking a hookah. I can't even make this up-- I couldn't believe what I was seeing. This is a public park and anyone is welcome to enjoy it-- but that also means we should respect one another and keep the trails clean and collectively protect the wild life. I left this place feeling disappointed in humanity and sad for our park. I might try again in the fall when the swimming crowd has died down, but for now this place is the last one I would choose if I wanted a day to relax in nature. read more

Great hiking spot! My friend and I came here today to check it out. Parking was easy and plentiful. You can park either in the lot at the main entrance, in the lot by the falls, or on the road. We parked in the main lot and entered from there. We snapped a pic of the map thinking it would help us along the way...but it did not. It's very easy to lose your way so be mindful of that. Our 3.5ish mile hike ended up turning into a good 5.5 mile workout. It really is a beautiful park, and we liked that there's a number of trails to choose from. If you stick to the main (orange?)trail, it's your regular rocky terrain. If you venture off to the yellow or blue trails though, there are a lot more rocks and inclines. Bring your trail sneakers as your feet will thank you later. While there were people clearly here, it was never crowded, and we frequently found ourselves completely alone...minus some chipmunks, squirrels and birds. Def will be back here to explore some more! read more

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Really nice area with a ton of open grassy areas for groups or sunbathing. Not a ton of parking or BBQ grills. The trail isn't stroller friendly and I forgot my baby carrier so I drove to the Falls Parking area down in Rockford. The Falls parking is a nice short walk (less than 5minutes) to the water for anyone who just wants the view of the waterfall. It is stroller friendly (but the way up is challenging!). read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

This is a great park with a beautiful waterfall not far from the parking lot. Unfortunately the lot is small and can get full quickly. Maybe 15-20 cars can park there. Also there was no swimming in the waterfall, especially when the rangers are there. You are allowed to walk in the shallow water (which goes up to my ankles and shins) but not the deeper water read more

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Today is October 20th . Barely any people, great hike. We took out 15 month old and he hiked all the way to the water fall on his little legs. read more

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Such a gorgeous place!!!! Could stay here all day long. Went early in the morning on a weekday and there wasn't anyone there read more

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A park to do everything A beautiful state park that actually has two waterfalls. The big one is right off the road and is about 30 feet tall but another smaller one is located deep within the park and is a group of smaller falls. People frequently swim around the falls although I'm not sure this is technically allowed. There is a swimming pond with a sandy beach and a picnic area on the opposite side from the falls. However, the real fun of the park are the hiking trails that cross through the woods going in different directions. Some can get very wet during the spring and you end up in some serious mud. It's also a nice place to mountain bike. Most of the trails aren't that technical but several do have challenging, steep, rocky hills. The best trail is the Laural which is narrow and winding and has several little side less wooden bridges that have to be crossed. Wadsworth is also a nice place to X-country ski or horseback ride and in the winter the scenery and the falls look spectacular. A gorgeous place that is impossible to get tired of. read more

Falls are worth seeing, feeling, hearing and having some Awe about nature. Convenient and easy to walk on trails and see the falls.

Something for pro hikers or tiny tikes, So lace up your shoes and tune up your bikes, And head to Wadsworth for some peace in the woods, Sweat and sore muscles never felt so good. This is a great local spot in Middletown to spend a nice day outside. If you are looking to hike, print a map of the park from online and park your car on a side street where one of the trails starts. We parked on Laurel Grove Rd and it was free. If you want to park in the lot near the "beach", you'll be paying around $9 in the summer. The trails themselves were well-kept and made for a fun hike. I have a foot injury and I had no problem with our journey. There is some climbing involved near the Little Falls, but nothing extreme. One problem we did face is that the trails are not very clearly marked. There are places were the Red trail intersects with the Orange trail and the Orange trail intersects with the Yellow trail. However, all three of these colors were very similar in hue. It resulted in my group going the wrong direction at one point. There was also a bridge that was out in one spot, so we needed to jump across some river rocks. However, these are the trials and tribulations that make for a more exciting day. The Little Falls did not have much water flow, but the Big Falls sure did. There were lots of people at the Big Falls taking photos on the rocks as gallons and gallons of water dumped down around them. You can drive your car right up to the Big Falls and park for free if you're looking for a quick spot to have lunch or snap a few photos. We saw people biking, horseback riding, and jogging along the trails. We also saw various animals. Great spot in my hometown. read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Big Falls. - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Great park for multiple activities! I hiked the park, however there is a nice swimming area which was very busy and didn't look to deep. When you pulled in you are charged for parking- $9- and the parking lot was relatively empty at 11am on a Saturday. Straight ahead is the pond, to the left bathrooms and a park map. We weren't sure where the trail head was, nor did we ask, so we entered the trail by the first aid station which lead to some confusion, however we kept walking and were quickly orientated. The paths are all relatively flat and easy walking. I'm a fan of my hiking boots, however there were many people with sneakers on that were not struggling. While we saw some people on the trail, it wasn't extremely packed. Great dog walking area. Small and BIG falls... we took the route that would take us to the small falls first. The area was very peaceful and tucked away which made it almost magical to stumble upon it. Then we walked a bit and located the BIG falls. I found it interesting that hikers had to exit the path, go along the street and then back onto the parks property to reach the big falls. Also, I noticed if you wanted to just see the big falls you could park on this side of the park. Overall it was a really great, 2 hour hike around the woods. read more

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Unreal views! Took my breath away to see the falls up close like that. The trails are clearly marked for hiking, but a tad overgrown so make sure to bring bug spray/check for ticks. The gravel path that leads to the falls area is slightly treacherous so make sure to wear sneakers or hiking boots. There is no beach area by the falls but there are swimming areas near by. read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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On August 4th it was crazy busy. Gentleman at the gate was so nice and patient. There was a Gentelman directing parking who was really nice and complimented on my awesome black rifle coffee company shirt. So in my opinion that alone calls for a pay raise immediately . Thanks to your staff for providing a great day! read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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My girls and I came to Wadsworth with the intention of going for a hike and hopefully seeing a waterfall. Once my girls saw other kids playing in the water of the pond, it's all they could talk about. I decided to let them play on the beach for a bit and their clothes ended up soaking wet. What did I do? Brought them home, put on their bathing suits, and went back to swim! They loved it, we were there for hours! This IS a pond so the water is not clear but it's awesome that my taller daughter could touch bottom almost to the middle of the pond where the safety buoys were. The beach was virtually litter free, with only a few cigarette butts and pieces of spit out gum on the ground, really not bad. There is also plenty of free parking and public restrooms here. Unfortunately, there is no life guard but we parents watch our kids like hawks anyways! There were tons of other kids of all ages here and the vibe was very friendly. I will definitely bring my kids back here if they want to go again! read more

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Beautiful waterfall easily accessed from the Cherry Hill Parking lot. We went after a snowfall and it was just perfect scenery. Not the best hiking since paths were not visible and we only followed others footsteps. I'm sure this is s great spot in Spring! read more

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So great to be back home in CT. Beautiful autumn day, best time of the year. You can hike the trail or take shortcut and park close to falls. The falls is not grand. It s small just like CT. But being in the moment and out in nature was just what I needed. Having moved away from CT after living her 50 years since birth, I could really appreciate how beautiful this state really is. It's the little things like the falls that makes it so beautiful. read more

What a shame. Such a beautiful park, but the people that come here have ruined it for everyone else due to a lack of basic respect for shared public land. How hard is it to carry your trash out with you? Perhaps they should consider charging people an entrance fee, it will get rid of the trash (both the people, and the physical trash they leave behind). Just an idea. read more

Wonderful spot. Just don't think you can take a picnic or play in the water. The local authorities are very strict. Just walk and look. read more

Very nice hiking trail, State park employees not very friendly and looking to find something wrong, so that was no an enjoyable experience.

Great trails, easy to navigate!! Make sure to go to the state park if you want to hike to the Falls. If you want to go straight to the Falls with no hike there's off road parking not to far from the state park where you can park and walk down to the Big falls. Beautiful waterfall great atmosphere in a great area. Enjoy everyone!!! read more

Wadsworth Falls State Park - BIG FALLS!!! - Hiking Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Getting started on the trails is kind of confusing. Don't get punk'd like me and don't head to the swimming pool. Instead, when entering the park from the main parking lot, head left for the nearest trail. From the main entrance on Route 157, Wadsworth Falls is on the opposite side of the park from the main entrance. It's an easy hike, roughly about 1.25 miles one way. With about 5 miles of trails, the terrain is really simple to traverse. The gentle rolling hills make it an easy morning hike or afternoon stroll. When we were last here we came across several families, hikers, and mountain bikers. The Little and Big Falls are the popular draws for most people but honestly Wadsworth Falls State Park is better suited for a picnic rather than a challenging hike. FYI - There is a parking fee on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend read more