Backpacking

Backpacking in Connecticut

DEEP Official Page

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The Appalachian Trail offers some of the best backpacking in the state with 50 miles  of trail and a number of lean-tos and camping areas along the way.  Backpackers often combine the Appalachian Trail and the blue-blaze Mohawk Trail for a long loop hike through the north west hills.

• Brassie Brook Lean-to
  • https://tnlandforms.us/at/m.php?wpt=BrassieBr
• Riga Shelter and camping areas
  • http://thenortheasthiker.com/2018/11/01/riga-shelter-on-the-appalachian-trail-in-connecticut/
• Limestone Spring Lean-to
  • https://tnlandforms.us/at/m.php?wpt=Limestone
• Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
  • https://tnlandforms.us/at/m.php?wpt=PineSBrk
• Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
  • https://tnlandforms.us/at/m.php?wpt=StewartHo
• Mt. Algo Lean-to
  • https://tnlandforms.us/at/m.php?wpt=MtAlgo
• Ten Mile River Lean-to
  • https://tnlandforms.us/at/m.php?wpt=TenMileR
• Northwest Camp – https://ct-amc.org/nwcamp/
  • Northwest Camp is a small, rustic cabin located on the northwest slope of Bear Mountain in Salisbury, CT. The cabin and surrounding land is owned by the Appalachian Mountain Club and can accommodate a maximum of 10 people (6 in the cabin, and 4 on the tent pads). I’m not sure of the current fee $.  It is available for use year round by reservation only. Access is easiest from Mt. Washington Road and alternative access is via Undermountain Trailhead NW Camp is managed and maintained entirely by volunteers.

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• Pachaug State Forest – Hikes up to 32 miles can be achieved by linking the Quinebaug, Pachaug, Nehantic, and Narragansett Trails mostly within Pachaug State Forest. Four overnight shelters in the State Forest can be used by backpackers on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more info on the backcountry shelters and to reserve a space, click here.
• Mohawk Trail – Four overnight backpacking shelters on the Mohawk Trail offer hikers the opportunity to enjoy the trail for overnight trips. These shelters are maintained by the CT DEEP. Please contact the CT DEEP Western District office for reservations or if you have questions about shelter availability. Backpackers often enjoy connecting the Mohawk and Appalachian Trails together for an extended, multiple night loop trip.
• Nipmuck Trail – The 36 mile Nipmuck Trail is a good two day/one night hike with 2 primitive camping areas mid-trail and Lean-tos at the northern end in Bigelow Hollow.
• New England Trail / Metacomet Trail – While there isn’t much support for thru-hikers of the 110 mile Connecticut section of the New England Trail there are a couple official sites at the northern end.  Stealth camping is discouraged due to proximity of private property along the trail.
  • source: https://newenglandtrail.org/overnight-sites/
  • Godman Group Campsite
  • Cattails Shelter
  • Windsor Locks Scouts Primitive Tentsite
  • Lamentation Mountain Primitive Tentsite
• Bigelow Hollow – Lean-tos and a camping area along Breakneck Pond allow for long hikes on the 35 miles of trails within the state park and forest here
• Tunxis Trail and Tunxis State Forest – I haven’t yet explored these but have found sources for the primitive camps below
  • Hurricane Brook Shelter (SF)
  • Nepaug Campsite
  • Roaring Brook Campsite

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I’ve helped dozens of people plan trips so feel free to hit me up at the email link at the bottom of the page if you have questions or suggestions about what you were hoping to find on this page