Chatfield Hollow State Park
412 acres in Killingworth, CT
Parking: Lots near 381 CT-80, Killingworth, CT
Trail Map Trails: 5 miles Rating: ★★★★☆
This is a partial/incomplete page as I have not yet explored Chatfield Hollow State Park. I did drive through the park after hiking the length of the Chatfield Trail and despite being an early Monday afternoon the park was packed with walkers, hikers, and fisherman.
The park is directly connected with a parcel of the Cockaponset State Forest and is across the road from Forster Pond State Park.
Hiking
I have yet to hike many of the trails within the park but highlights include the ‘Indian Caves’ and chimney on the green trails, and the covered bridge on the purple trail.
White Blaze – ‘Lookout Trail’ – 1.16 miles
- From the second parking area into the park is the trailhead for the white blazed ‘Lookout Trail’ as well as the gated Buck Road. I followed this loop trail clockwise as it climbs among the hills and rock features of Chatfield Hollow. The trail is just well blazed enough but has many unblazed offshoots and alternate routes which can be confusing or connect you to other blazed trails. The lookout is very underwhelming looking southeast. You can spot a nearby hillside over the trees but perhaps it improves in winter with no leaves on the trees.
Rock Climbing
The main wall here has a full range of climbing from top rope and trad to a handful of sport routes.
Swimming/Fishing
There is a beach, bathrooms, and a pavilion along the Schreeder Pond for swimming. I’ve also seen fisherman lining the shores as the DEEP stocks a number of sites within the park.
Be sure to check the Beach Water Quality Status report before visiting.
History:
Established as a state park in 1949. This park was featured in the 2017 Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge.
Links:
- Friends of Chatfield Hollow State Park
- Peter Marteka – A Killingworth Hike To A Tight Squeeze (2018)
- CTMQ – TSTL’17.11: Chatfield Hollow State Park (2017)
- Peter Marteka – Chatfield Trail In Killingworth: Where Your Hike Becomes An Adventure (2012)
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Last updated August 21st, 2022
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