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Description
Gay City State Park
1,569 acres in Hebron, CT
Parking: Large lot at 386 North St Hebron, CT year round with additional parking open seasonally
Trail Map Trails: 9 miles Rating: ★★★☆☆
Gay City is also the site of an annual Hartford Marathon event called the Summer Solstice Trail Run with 3.3 and 5.5 mile races.
Hiking
There is a large and easy network of trails here totaling about nine miles including a section of the blue-blaze Shenipsit Trail. The trails also connect to the Meshomasic State Forest and Blackledge Falls to the south.
Swimming
There is a beach for swimming at Gay City Pond. Gates open for the season on the third Saturday in April from 8AM to sunset. They close for the season after Columbus Day weekend, but the park can still be accessed year round from the outer parking lot.
Check the Beach Status Report for more information on open/closed and water quality.
History:
Established as a park in 1944 it is the site of a village from the 1800s. Ruins of a mill along the Blackledge River can be found along the white trail and other foundations are nearby on the yellow trail.
Links:
- The Geology of Gay City State Park
- Mountain Biking at Gay City State Park
- CTMQ – Gay City State Park Trails (2009)
- Peter Marteka – Ruins of Gay City Awaits Hikers Here (2008)
- Peter Marteka – Gay City: A Trip Back in Time (2000)
The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.
Last updated June, 16, 2019
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