Natchaug State Forest
Natchaug at a Glance
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.
Highlights
Coming soon!
Section List
- 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
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.
