104 acres in North Stonington, CT
Parking: Small lot near 1 Hewitt Rd, North Stonington, CT
Trail Map Trails: 4 miles Rating: ★★☆☆☆
This property is an interesting mix of tight wooded trails, open mowed paths through fields, and water features. Trails are well marked but every trail is yellow blazed and signage can be confusing. There is lots of room to roam, multiple parking areas, and enough space to visit a few times and see something new.
I started my hike at the first parking area before the dam, there used to be a rustic cabin just off the lot which has since been removed. Heading out along the edge of the field I quickly found the Dew Drop Inn Trail which provided a couple quiet views of Lower Hewitt Pond. It continued along the curve of the Shunock River before turning right at the back corner of a cemetary to cross the water back to the Hewitt Road.
Here was another parking area, boat launch, and fishing area. I crossed the road and took the mowed path to the back of the farm house among some pines. Followed the narrow Fisherman's Path out and back which appeared seldom used and overgrown. I considered crossing the river on an old rocky dam to access the southern River Trail, but poison ivy and overgrowth turned me around.
Instead I took the loop trail through the woods which was a rolling path along a steep bank. Signage here was pretty frequent but only told you which road you were heading towards which ended up being more confusing than helpful at least to a non-local like me. I then did some large loops around the open fields and discovered Avalonia's Cooper Preserve for a brief addition before working my way back to the car.
I'll need to return to catch the Bicentennial, Tipping Rock, and Hewitt Road Trails.
The property was purchased by the Town of North Stonington in 2008. The property was the former site John Dean Gallup woolen mill and farm which operated around 1750.
Flora Hewitt bequeathed the property to Mystic Seaport in 1967 who preserved the land, dam, and farm house until it was taken over by the town.
July 14th, 2025. 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.
1 Hewitt Rd, North Stonington, CT 06359, USA
