Lamentation Mountain State Park
47 acres in Berlin, CT
Parking: Accessed from Giuffrida Park near 800 Westfield Rd, Meriden, CT or perhaps shoulder parking near 370 Spruce Brook Rd Berlin, CT
Trail Map Trails: Less than a mile Trail Difficulty: Moderate Rating: ★★★☆☆
October 22nd 2024 Alert: Mattabesett section of the New England Trail over Lamentation Mountain between Giuffrida Park and the Berlin Turnpike is closed due to fire. Do not enter this area, active fire suppression efforts are underway. Even after the fire is dead, the area will not be safe for hikers until the trail is fully inspected.
Lamentation Mountain is a small state park on the westerly slope of the mountain near Berlin / Meriden town line. It is most often accessed through the Mattabesett Trail section of the New England Trail.
Often confused with Giuffrida Park, Lamentation Mountain State Park is further north and the majority of the acreage is below the ridge. The Mattabesett Trail clips the eastern edge so there isn’t much opportunity to explore, but there may be old woods roads through the property off Rt 15.
All the real views from the Metacomet Ridge are part of Giuffrida Park, which I can highly recommend for a great day of hiking.
Hiking
This Mattabesett section of the New England Trail is a rocky yet forested stretch along the ridge here. Since the trail technically only clips the edge of the state park property there isn’t much unique to describe.
Heading North: Alice Fern Bruce Preserve
Heading South: Giuffrida Park
Camping
One of only four legitimate camping areas for hikers on the blue blaze New England Trail and the last one until the Windsor Locks Primitive Site.
The camping area is accessed from a 0.1 mile blue/white trail highlighting by a ‘Tenting Area’ sign on the New England Trail. The blue/white trail descends along a rocky cliff face to a lower shelf of the ridge and a small clearing. There isn’t any potable water for at least a mile on either side so be sure to pack in. As always practice Leave No Trace.
Reservations are not required and is on a first come first served basis however you are encourage to notify ‘intent to stay’ here.
History:
Established as a state park in 1936. The land was conveyed to the State as a gift for park purposes by Miss Marjorie Moore, of that town, in June 1935. No conditions were imposed, the desire and purpose of the donor being merely permanent protection of the forestation and wild life, particularly the birds. The state deemed it unsuited for any immediate development in 1936 and no changes have been made in the ensuing years.
The name of the park can be ascribed to a Leonard Chester circa 1640 who went out for business in what was then the wilderness of south Wethersfield. He became lost and other residents took up a search making noise and uttering ‘lamentations’ until he was found on a mountain in Berlin.
Links:
- CTInsider – What we know, don’t know about deadly Berlin brush fire on Lamentation Mountain (2024)
- Warner, John Barber. Connecticut Historical Collections. Pg 122
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Last updated October 18th, 2024
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