Ross Pond State Park

Connecticut State Park

314 acres in Killingly, CT

Parking: Medium sized lot at the end of the forest road near 223 Ross Rd Danielson, CT or the southern end at 325 Squaw Rock Rd, Danielson, CT

Trail Map            Trails: 1.5 miles             Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Ross Pond State Park is directly adjacent to Old Furnace State Park so trails here are contiguous.  There is only one blazed trail within the Ross Pond boundaries and it is a blue blaze trail managed by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.  The trail is best accessed from the southern end on Squaw Rock Road (see parking above for link) but can also be accessed from the boat launch at the lower end of Ross Pond.

Hiking

From the Squaw Rock Rd the trail is 1.1 miles to the main cliff overlook and passes through several different terrains along the way.  The main trail never gets to the banks of Ross Pond, but at least one of the side trails does.  There is a whole network of these unblazed side trails that are likely popular with mountain bikers.  Thunderstorms were threatening on my last hike, so I wasn’t able to roam.

Boating/Fishing

There is the large upper Ross Pond that is the main feature and popular for fishing and boating.  The DEEP maintains a car-top/carry in boat launch.  Ross Pond (also known as Half Hill Pond) is 31 acres.  Use of internal combustion engines prohibited.  I’ve seen boats go out but haven’t heard any reports of quality of fishing.  The DEEP lists, bass, chain pickerel, and sunfish as pond species.

History:

Established as a state park in 1964.

Links:

The A to Z of CT State Parks – Ross Pond State Park

CFPA – Old Furnace Trail

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Last updated May 11th, 2020