Naugatuck State Forest – West Block
2000 acres in Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, and Oxford, CT
Parking:
- Medium sized dirt lot at the end of a narrow dirt road near 292 Cold Springs Rd, Beacon Falls, CT
- near 332 Chestnut Tree Hill Rd Oxford, CT
- or at the end of Hunters Mountain Rd Naugatuck, CT
Trail Map Trails: 16 miles Rating: ★★★★★
Spruce Brook Falls is located in the west block of the Naugatuck State Forest and is also known locally as Toby’s Rock Mountain. One of the five blocks of this state forest, it is the large tract west of Rt-8. There are over 16 miles of multi-use trails (non-motorized except snowmobiles). The main attractions are the falls along Spruce Brook culminating in a large cascade (see photo above) in a ravine at the end of the blue trail. There are also two overlooks one at the end of the red trail and the other .2 miles up the purple trail. Both provide views of Rt 8 and the Naugatuck River Valley.
The hiking here is definitely a hidden gem given the long pitted dirt road to the parking area. It should be passable spring through fall and is closed in the winter. Although parking just outside the gate still allows access during the winter or for those wary for their car.
The west block is also home to the High Rock Shooting Association Rifle Range as well as the Seymour Reservoirs.
History:
Established in 1931. I was contacted by Hiker Tom (see the link below) who blazed the existing trails around 2015. From our conversation,
I had permission from the forester to blaze the trails. I worked within the existing color scheme and then added others on trails that had no colors. The gorge was traditionally blue. The project is complete. The forest certainly needs other work, but my main trail work focus is West Rock Ridge State Park. I hope that someone can come along who can maintain it.
Links:
- Letterboxing in the West Block of the Naugatuck State Forest
- Waterfalls of Connecticut – Spruce Brook Falls
- Hiker Tom – Naugatuck State Forest West Block
- Peter Marteka – The Ghostly Magic Of High Rock Grove And Spruce Brook Falls (2016)
- Janet Lopes – Fairy Tale Setting for Connecticut Falls Attraction
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