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Natchaug State Forest

Explore Natchaug State Forest

Today Natchaug State Forest amounts to 13,200 acres in six towns: Ashford, Brooklyn, Chaplin, Eastford, Hampton, and Pomfret.

The forest contains the headwaters of the Natchaug River (formed from the meeting of the Still River and Bigelow Brook) which provides swimming and fishing along its length.  There are forest roads, trails blazed by the CCC, a section of the blue blaze Natchaug Trail with backpacking lean-to, a designated horse trail and camp, and a historical site at Nathaniel Lyon State Park.

Links

Sections

  • Hampton Reservoir -★★- 0.5 miles – Connector trail from the reservoir to the rest of the main block network, plus boating and fishing
  • Main Block –★★★- 16 miles – The best section to explore with many trails, ponds, and history to explore
  • West Ashford Block – ★★ – 1.2 miles – Trailed entirely by a section of the Nipmuck Trail
  • Pomfret Block – ★★ – 3.3 miles – Designated a equestrian trail the trail connects Mashamoquet Brook State Park with Clapp Road

History

Natchaug State Forest was first known as Eastford Forest when the original 586 acres were acquired by the state in 1917.  This marked it as the 5th state forest in Connecticut.

It was the site of the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Fernow from 1933 to 1941.  The men from the camp are responsible for the road, trails, and a bridge within the state forest property.

Hampton Reservoir

★★☆☆☆

400 Kenyon Rd, Hampton, CT, USA

Hampton Reservoir Connecticut State Boat Launch 151 acres in Hampton, CT Parking: Small lot near 400 Kenyon Rd, Hampton, CT Trail Map       Trails: 0.5 miles …

Boston Turnpike Trail

★★★☆☆

145-101 CT-198, Pomfret Center, CT 06259, USA

Boston Turnpike Trail Eastford Town Park / Connecticut State Forest 104 acres in Eastford, CT Parking: Small lot near 145-101 CT-198, Pomfret, CT Trail Map     …

Natchaug Trail: Lyon Rd

★★★☆☆

41.8716650, -72.0878170

Natchaug Trail – Lyon Rd Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail in Eastford, CT Parking: Shoulder parking across from the cemetery at Lyon Rd (41.8716650, -72.0878170) Trail Map    …

Nathaniel Lyon Memorial State Park

★★☆☆☆

41.847478, -72.083341

Nathaniel Lyon Memorial State Park Connecticut State Park 5 acres in Eastford, CT Parking:  Small lot along Kingsbury Rd Eastford, CT Trail Map        Trails:…

Mashamoquet Brook State Park

★★★☆☆

41.855745, -71.983001

Mashamoquet Brook State Park Connecticut State Park 917 acres in Pomfret, CT Parking: Main Parking: Several lots near 303 Mashamoquet Rd Pomfret, CT Dirt road access close…

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