American Legion State Forest
West River Road Barkhamsted, CT
The rocky terrain of this state forest is home to a small campsite, picnic areas, fishing, sports areas, hunting, and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Cross country skiing in Connecticut is abundant in state parks
The hilly state forests and state parks of Connecticut offer lots of places to get out on cross country skis.
Burr Pond State Park
Route 8 Torrington, CT Phone: 860-482-1817
Visitors can enjoy hiking and cross-country ski trails, a seasonal ice skating pond, boating, and various nature programs. There is an admission fee.
Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area
18 Ranger Road Haddam, CT Phone: 860-566-2304
The second largest forest in the state, set on 15,652 acres. Areas for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, hiking and cross-country ski trails, fresh water swimming and picnic areas.
Cockaponset State Forest offers youth group camping.
There is a seasonal weekend/holiday parking fee at the Pattaconk Recreation Area of $14 for state residents and $20 for non-residents. No fee on weekdays.
Dennis Hill State Park
State Route 272 Norfolk, CT
The centerpiece of this park is a view at 1,627 feet. Hiking and cross-country skiing trails, picnicking areas.
Gay City State Park
Hebron, CT
This rustic, rural park is the perfect place for fishing, hiking and walking, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Haddam Meadows State Park
Route 154 Haddam, CT Phone: 860-566-2304
A meadowland park along the banks of the Connecticut River. Visitors will find areas for fishing, boating, cross-country skiing, sports fields and toilet facilities.
Housatonic Meadows State Park
Route 7 Sharon, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Along the banks of the Housatonic River, this park features fly-fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing trails, canoeing and a public camping site.
Hurd Park
Route 151 East Hampton, CT Phone: 860-526-2336
An 884 acre park on the east bank of the Connecticut River. Canoeing, including facilities for canoe camping, fishing, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and picnic areas are available.
Mohawk State Park
Route 4 Cornwall, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Mohawk State Park features 1,683 foot Mohawk Mountain. The Mohawk trail is available for hiking, there are cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, picnic areas. There is a charge for skiing.
Stratton Brook State Park
149 Farms Village Road (Route 309) Simsbury, CT Phone: 860-242-1158
Stratton Brook is a completely wheelchair accessible park offering swimming, picnicking and interpretive programs in a beautifully wooded setting. Stratton Brook State Park is a designated trout park.
Activities bicycling, hiking, field sports, picnicking, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing, ice skating.
Facilities: bathrooms, changing houses, picnic shelters, picnic tables, seasonal interpretive displays.
American Legion State Forest
West River Road Barkhamsted, CT
The rocky terrain of this state forest is home to a small campsite, picnic areas, fishing, sports areas, hunting, and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Black Rock Park
Route 6 Thomaston, CT Phone: 860-677-1819
Park is on the site of a colonial era graphite mine. Visitors here can enjoy swimming, stream fishing, pond fishing, boating, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and winter ice skating.
Black Rock State Park
Watertown Road (Route 6) Thomaston, CT Phone: 860-283-8088
Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the western highlands of Connecticut. Black Rock Campground has 96 sites in a wooded setting. The camping season is mid-April through September 30. This is a designated trout park. Activities include picnicking, field sports, swimming, and pond fishing. Facilities: bathrooms, food concessions, picnic tables.
There is a daily parking fee in season. Gates are open on weekends only from the third Saturday in April until Memorial Day, 8 a.m. to sunset. From Memorial Day to October 31st, they are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Campsite fees are charged separately.
There is a daily parking fee in season. Gates are open on weekends only from the third Saturday in April until Memorial Day, 8 a.m. to sunset. From Memorial Day to October 31st, they are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Campsite fees are charged separately.
Burr Pond State Park
Route 8 Torrington, CT Phone: 860-482-1817
Visitors can enjoy hiking and cross-country ski trails, a seasonal ice skating pond, boating, and various nature programs. There is an admission fee.
Dennis Hill State Park
State Route 272 Norfolk, CT
The centerpiece of this park is a view at 1,627 feet. Hiking and cross-country skiing trails, picnicking areas.
Hop Brook Dam Park
Route 63 Naugatuck, CT
Set along a dam, this lake park features picnic areas, swimming, and the Larkin Bridle Trail, used for hiking, cross country skiing and horse trail riding.
Housatonic Meadows State Park
Route 7 Sharon, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Along the banks of the Housatonic River, this park features fly-fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing trails, canoeing and a public camping site.
Huntington State Park
Sunset Hill Road Redding, CT Phone: 860-424-3200
State park has trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, fresh water fishing and picnic areas.
John A. Minetto State Park
Route 272 Torrington, CT
Set on the site of the one of the first homes built in the area, this park has fishing and swimming areas, as well as sports fields, picnic areas and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Macedonia Brook State Park
CT State Route 342 Kent, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Park set on 2,300 acres. Trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, fishing, sports fields, camping. Views of the Taconic and Catskill Mountains.
Mohawk State Park
Route 4 Cornwall, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Mohawk State Park features 1,683 foot Mohawk Mountain. The Mohawk trail is available for hiking, there are cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, picnic areas. There is a charge for skiing.
Osbornedale State Park
Hawthorne Avenue Derby, CT
State park features fishing areas, winter ice skating and cross-country skiing, hiking trails and a picnic area.
Peoples State Forest
East River Road Barkhamsted, CT Phone: 860-379-2469
Along the Farmington River, this forest features hunting areas, fishing areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, and sports fields. Of particular interest is the Mathies Grove picnic area, set among great pines that are over 2 centuries old. Hiking trails include the Beaver Swamp Loop, which leads visitors past the remains of 18th and 19th century charcoal pits and ancient Indian villages, as well as the ruins of a colonial home. Another trail also forks off to the site of an ancient Indian soapstone quarry. A campground is also available.
Pierrepont State Park
Route 116 Ridgefield, CT Phone: 203-431-2577
State park with picnic areas, fishing, hiking and cross-country ski trails and ice skating.
Putnam Memorial State Park
Route 58 Bethel, CT Phone: 203-566-2305
Open: Year-round
This park sits on the site of General Israel Putnam's winter encampment during the Revolutionary War. Military re-enactments are created on the grounds throughout the year. The park also has a pond, hiking trails and a picnic area.
Southford Falls State Park
Quaker Farms Road Oxford, CT Phone: 203-264-5169
State park features fishing, hiking trails, sports fields, plus cross country skiing and ice skating in the wintertime.
Squantz Pond State Park
Route 39 New Fairfield, CT Phone: 860-424-3200
This year-round recreation area features a boating and swimming area, fishing, ice skating, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and picnic areas.
Topsmead Park
Buell Road Litchfield, CT Phone: 860-567-5694
Topsmead is an English tudor mansion set on 511 acres. During the summer the house is open for tours. The grounds are open year-round and feature hiking, sledding, cross country skiing, as well as picnic areas.
Woodbury
785 Washington Road Woodbury, CT Phone: 203-263-2203
There’s snow fun on twelve trails, terrain park and snow tubing runs. Cross scountry skiing is also available. Thee are six lifts and a 300 foot vertical drop. Connecticut's closest ski area to New York City.
Bigelow Hollow State Park
Route 171 Union, CT Phone: 860-684-3430
Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails and an 18-acre pond in Eastern Connecticut.
Activities include boating, picnicking, cross country skiing, pond fishing, hiking, scuba diving, hunting (forest only), and snowmobiling.
There are boat launches at Bigelow Pond and Mashapaug Lake.
There is a parking fee of $9 to $15 weekends and holidays in season.
Burr Pond State Park
Route 8 Torrington, CT Phone: 860-482-1817
Visitors can enjoy hiking and cross-country ski trails, a seasonal ice skating pond, boating, and various nature programs. There is an admission fee.
Dennis Farm
Dennis Road Pomfret, CT
The Nature Conservancy maintains this 2 mile trail, available for hiking or skiing.
Dennis Hill State Park
State Route 272 Norfolk, CT
The centerpiece of this park is a view at 1,627 feet. Hiking and cross-country skiing trails, picnicking areas.
Housatonic Meadows State Park
Route 7 Sharon, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Along the banks of the Housatonic River, this park features fly-fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing trails, canoeing and a public camping site.
James L. Goodwin Forest
Route 6 Hampton, CT
2002 acre conservation center with displays representing different types of woodlands. The conservancy also has fishing areas, cross-country skiing, hiking trails and a rest area.
Mansfield Hollow Park
Bassetts Bridge Road Mansfield, CT
Small park set on a 500 acre lake. Boating and fishing are allowed. The park is also available for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Rock Spring Wildlife Refuge
Route 97 Scotland, CT
Walking trails, hiking trails and cross-country skiing along the Little River.
Schoolhouse Brook Park
Clover Mill Road, off Route 195 Mansfield, CT
18 trails (for walking or cross-country skiing) around Bicentennial Pond. The park is maintained by the town of Mansfield.
Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center
10 Deerfield Lane Ansonia, CT 06401 Phone: 203-736-1053
One hundred-acre nature preserve, with several gardens featuring ferns and wildflowers. Of particular note is the butterfly and hummingbird garden. Natural exhibits and programs are scheduled throughout the year. Over two miles of trails run through the preserve for hiking and cross-country skiing. Visitors can also enjoy a fishing pond, picnic areas and a gift shop.
Hours: Sunup to sundown. Office and interpretive center open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except holidays. Free admission.
Hours: Sunup to sundown. Office and interpretive center open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except holidays. Free admission.
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Route 157 Middlefield, CT Phone: 860-566-2304
285 acre park with a waterful and laurel groves. Picnic areas, fishing, hiking and cross-country ski trails, swimming are all available to visitors. The park also has toilet facilities and telephones. There as a daily admission charge to enter.
West Rock Ridge Park
Hamden, CT
Small state park with fishing area and hiking and cross country ski trails.