Explore Stafford, CT
Stafford at a Glance
Part of Tolland County
If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Stafford this is the complete guide to all the long trails, waterfalls, and history it has to offer.
Stafford preserves more than 400 acres of land.
- 5 hiking areas for 9.3 miles of trails
- 2 boating/fishing areas.
Trails in town are all fairly rugged with elevation changes and lots of rocks, though the old woods roads of the state forest parcels provide easier options.
My Highlights
- The erratics at Nipmuck Woods
- The tiny overlook from Hyde Park
- The rugged north end of the Shenipsit
Hiking
Town Parks
- Dennis Pond –★★– 1 mile – Great short loop hike along the pond and up the high eastern bank
- Hyde Park –★★– 2 miles – Nice trails climb up to a ridge line view and walking paths along old mill ponds
- West Stafford Conservation Area –★★– 2 miles – Only open when school is not in session, nice loop hike to a quarry
Land Trust
- Northern Connecticut Land Trust
- Culver Pond –★★– 2.5 miles – Heavily forested ‘lollipop loop’ hike with quiet streams, old logging roads, and the pond
- Nipmuck Woods –★★★– 2 miles – Loop options highlighted by large glacial erratics
- Northern Connecticut Land Trust
State Parks / Forest
- Nipmuck State Forest – There are a mix of gated woods roads and unblazed trail in the Stafford section of this forest for about 4 miles
- Shenipsit State Forest –★★– 1 mile – The Sodom Road section of the Shenipsit passes into Stafford as well as the North Terminus section below
Blue Blaze
- Shenipsit Trail
- Parking on Greaves Road
- North Terminus – ★★★- 3.2 miles – Dense hilly section that currently ends with a 0.2 mile road walk on Greaves Road
- Parking on Avery Road
- Shenipsit Trail
The Rest
- n/a
Boating/Fishing
- Willimantic River
- Mile 0.0 – Stafford Springs Commuter Lot — (Parking Link)
- State Line Pond (Access Link) – Unexplored
- Willimantic River
51. Stafford, settled in 1719; named from Stafford, town in Staffordshire.