Land Trusts

Land trusts are abundant in our state preserving properties of all sizes from development.  There are 117 land trusts in Connecticut protecting 190,550 acres of land for hiking and recreation, ecological buffer zones, wildlife habitat, and undeveloped spaces. As of 2024 there are

  • 89 single town land trusts
  • 22 multi-town/regional
  • 6 statewide

Land trusts are mostly non-profit and community based, seeking to preserve the forests, river corridors, farmland, watersheds, marshes, scenic vistas, and hiking trails in a given town or region.  Land Trust are also largely volunteer operated and are a great way to get involved in your area.

A complete directory courtesy of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council can be found here:

Currently only the largest and regional land trusts are listed here.  As this site continues to develop I hope this page will provide a more polished and complete representation of Connecticut’s land trusts.

Kenilworth Forest

Unexplored

Kenilworth Forest, Clinton, CT, USA

Kenilworth Forest Clinton Land Trust 85 acres in Clinton, CT Parking: Cul-de-sac at the end of Kenilworth Drive, Clinton, CT Trail Map         Trails: 4…

Jesse Buell Forest

Unexplored

48 Cream Pot Rd, Clinton, CT 06413, USA

Jesse Buell Forest Clinton Land Trust 115 acres in Clinton, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 48 Cream Pot Rd, Clinton, CT Trail Map       Trails: 4…

Elliot Preserve

Unexplored

54 E Main St, Clinton, CT, USA

Elliot Preserve Clinton Land Trust 17 acres in Clinton, CT Parking: Large lot behind Town Hall near 54 E Main St, Clinton, CT Trail Map     …

Deane Haag Nature Trail

Unexplored

99-19 Kenilworth Dr, Clinton, CT, USA

Deane Haag Nature Trail Clinton Land Trust 18 acres in Clinton, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 99-19 Kenilworth Dr, Clinton, CT Trail Map         …

Chittenden Hill Preserve

Unexplored

31 Chittenden Hill Rd, Clinton, CT 06413, USA

Chittenden Hill Preserve Clinton Land Trust 23.3 acres in Clinton, CT Parking: Small lot near 31 Chittenden Hill Rd, Clinton, CT Trail Map         Trails:…

River to Ridgetop North

★★★★☆

Johnston Preserve, Birch Hill Road, Lyme, CT, USA

River to Ridgetop North Pleasant Valley Preserve, Jewett Preserve, Johnston Preserve Lyme Land Trust, Lyme Town Park, The Nature Conservancy 920 acres in Lyme, CT  Parking: North… Read more…

Honey Hill Preserve

★★☆☆☆

15 Clark Rd, Lyme, CT, USA

Honey Hill Preserve Lyme Land Trust 40 acres in Lyme, CT Parking: Small pull off near 15 Clark Hill Rd, Lyme, CT Trail Map       …

Banningwood Preserve

★★★☆☆

Banningwood Preserve, Lyme, CT, USA

Banningwood Preserve Lyme Land Trust 102 acres in Lyme, CT Parking: Small lot near 14 Town St, Lyme, CT Trail Map            Trails:…

Saunders Preserve​

★★☆☆☆

53 Hedlund Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423, USA

Saunders Preserve​ East Haddam Land Trust 69 acres in East Haddam, CT Parking: Small pull-off near 103 Honey Hill Rd, East Haddam, CT Trail Map     …

PeGus’s Path Preserve​

★★☆☆☆

31 Sims Rd, East Haddam, CT, USA

PeGus’s Path Preserve​ East Haddam Land Trust 12.5 acres in East Haddam, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 31 Sims Rd, East Haddam, CT Trail Map     …