Explore Vernon, CT

Town Parks

• Fox Hill Tower –★★– 0.3 miles – Great views from the tower on the hill and area to walk but no trails
• Risley Pond –★★★– 3 miles – Great loop from the reservoir up to the ridge of Box Mountain, often has muddy sections
• Valley Falls Park –★★★– 9 miles – Popular park with beach, varied trails, and loop options
• Walker’s Reservoir –★★– 0.9 miles – Technically a loop with a road walk, but nice views of the water

Land Trust

• Manchester Land Conservation Trust
  • Stickney Hill –★★– 0.7 miles – Hidden loop trail near the heart of Rockville
• Northern Connecticut Land Trust
  • AK Webster Preserve –★★★– 0.5 miles – The upper portion of Valley Falls with an overlook
  • Ecker’s Pond – ★★– 1.75 miles – Forgotten trail amidst a popular disc golf course
  • Indian Trail Preserve – No trails
  • Hatch Hill – No trails
  • Talcott Ravine –★★★– 1.2 miles – Short trails to a narrow ravine and waterfalls view

State Parks / Forest

• Bolton Notch State Park –★★★– 2 miles – A separate parcel from the popular cliffs/cave, this one is adjacent to the south end of Valley Falls with a loop trail
• Belding Wildlife Management Area –★★★– 2 miles – Small pond, great trails along the river, and tall pines with a loop option
• Hop River State Park Trail
  • Church St — 2 miles
    • Parking: 51 Church St, Vernon, CT
    • Access to the Rockville Spur Trail at the Pheonix St crossing and then a bit down Warren Ave.  The spur is 4 miles one way
    • Popular trail head with interpretive sign boards, a small pavilion, the remains of a train turntable pit, and more
    • Access to Talcotville Ravine Trail and waterfall near Dobson Rd
• Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area –★★– 1.1 miles – Expansive WMA but the trails are pinched against noisy I-84 to curl around a small reservoir

Blue Blaze

• Shenipsit Trail
  • 1.0 mile road walk along Reservoir Rd to Rt. 30 to pass under I-84
  • Parking off Reservoir Road
  • Tankerhoosen WMA –★★– 1.5 miles – A bit pinched along noisy I-84 to curl around a small reservoir
  • Belding WMA –★★– 1.6 miles – Peaceful pines along the banks of the Tankerhoosen River
  • Parking at Valley Falls lot
  • Valley Falls –★★★– 0.2 miles – Descend from the Hop River Trail to the western edge of Valley Falls Pond
  • Hop River Trail –★★– 1 mile – Flat stretch popular with cyclists with some railroad history

The Rest

• Hockanum River Trail
  • Oakland Trail –★★– 2 miles – Holds tight to the river the entire way with a complete loop and a small island extension
  • Pleasantview Marsh –★★– 0.3 miles – Short connector across an incredible set of boardwalks
  • Dart Hill Park –★★– 1.5 miles – Largely stone dust path with occasional trail passing behind an industrial park and mansions
  • Dart Hill North –★★– 1.4 miles – Twisting trail with a couple nice views of the river
  • Windemere Avenue Trail –★★– 1 mile – Starts across a suspension bridge to follow an old line
  • Franklin Street Trail –★★– 0.6 miles –Short out and back with views of the marsh
• Strong Family Farm –★★– 0.4 miles – Simple walk on open farm fields with a road walk loop option