Collis P. Huntington State Park
883 acres in Bethel, Newtown, and Redding, CT
Parking:
- Large lot near 50 Sunset Hill Rd Redding, CT
- 2 medium sized lots near 20 Dodgingtown Rd, Redding, CT
Trail Map Trails: 10 miles Rating: ★★★☆☆
Named for Collis Potter Huntington and donated by his heirs, this park has about 10 miles of trails. The park features two ponds, a lagoon, and 15 acre Lake Hopewell. This park is uber-popular with many cars in the various lots each weekend and is popular for mountain biking.
The Aspetuck Valley Trail passes through the park leading to the Centennial Watershed State Forest. There are also ruins on the property.
Hiking
I parked at the lot at the end of Dodgingtown Road past West Lagoon and struck out on the blue trail. The main trails are pretty easy walking with some rocky sections. The terrain however is nothing but rugged and rocky outcrops. Numerous side trails, some blazed and some not, branch of in either direction I was passed by a handful of mountain bikers and even saw some horses off on a side trail.
I searched for the ruins noted on the map at the north end of the blue trail but later review of the map tells me I was searching just a bit too far down the trail. I intended to do a full loop of the blue trail but the soft patter of rain through the trees cut my hike short.
I’ll have to return (perhaps with my bike) for a second shot at this rolling park.
History:
Established as a park in 1973.
Links:
Gregory B. Hladky – Mountain Biking: From Easy Trails To Log Rides And ‘Lung-Busting Climbs’
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