Tolland County

Explore Tolland County

Explored: 100%

Tolland County, nestled in north-central Connecticut, is a region defined by rolling hills, pristine forests, and the classic rural New England charm of its small towns. The eastern edge of the county borders The Last Green Valley and the western edge lies at the edge of the Connecticut River Valley.

The county holds 154 explorable areas for over 350 miles of trails across 15 towns.

Most Popular Locations

My Recommendations

Best Overlook: Valley Falls

Best Waterfall: Codfish Falls

  • Others include Moss Tract Falls, Shelter Falls, and Pixie Falls

Other Highlights: Caves at Bolton Notch, the ruins at Gay City, and the

Town List

  • Andover (3 hiking areas for 13.5 miles of trails)
    • Highlight is Doris Chamberlin Nature Preserve
  • Bolton (10 hiking areas for 16.2 miles of trails, 3 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Bolton State Park
  • Columbia (6 hiking areas for 8 miles of trails, 2 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Mono Pond State Park
  • Coventry (11 hiking areas for 21.3 miles of trails, 3 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Nathan Hale State Forest
  • Ellington (11 hiking areas for 9.7 miles of trails, 1 boating/fishing area)
    • Highlight is Boothroyd Preserve
  • Hebron (13 hiking areas for 18.9 miles of trails, 2 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Gay City State Park
  • Mansfield (36 hiking areas for 87.5 miles of trails, 3 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Mansfield Hollow
  • Somers (11 hiking areas for 36.9 miles of trails, 2 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Soapstone Mountain
  • Stafford (5 hiking areas for 9.3 miles of trails, 2 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Nipmuck Woods
  • Tolland (23 hiking areas for 44.2 miles of trails, 2 boating/fishing areas, 1 disc golf course)
    • Highlight is Crandall Park
  • Union (6 hiking areas for 38 miles of trails and 3 boating areas)
    • Highlight is Bigelow Hollow
  • Vernon (15 hiking areas for 25.5 miles of trails, 5 boating/fishing areas, 1 disc golf course)
    • Highlight is Valley Falls
  • Willington (5 hiking areas for 17 miles of trails, 2 boating/fishing areas)
    • Highlight is Moss Tract

Thornton Brook Preserve

★☆☆☆☆

41.738945, -72.293552

Thornton Brook Preserve Coventry Town Park 63 acres in Coventry, CT Parking: Space for 2-3 cars near 475 Pucker St Coventry, CT Trail Map       …

Nathan Hale State Forest

★★★☆☆

41.764554, -72.347094

Nathan Hale State Forest Connecticut State Forest 1,529 acres in Coventry, CT Parking: Large lot at 2299 South St, Coventry, CT Trail Map        Trails: 12…

Wolf Rock

★★★☆☆

41.758975, -72.213081

Wolf Rock Nature Preserve Joshua’s Trust 108.3 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 62 Crane Hill Rd Storrs, CT Trail Map         …

Holt Kinney Woods

★★☆☆☆

41.764099, -72.206821

Holt-Kinney Woods Joshua’s Trust 21 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Shoulder parking at 76 Browns Rd, Storrs, CT or from Schoolhouse Brook Park Trail Map     …

Crystal Peat Conservation Area

★★☆☆☆

41.913372,-72.356865

Crystal Peat Conservation Area Tolland Town Park 30.5 acres in Tolland, CT Parking: Small pull-off near 167 Cook Rd Tolland, CT Trail Map.      Trails: 1 mile…

Fenton Ruby Park

★★☆☆☆

41.897759, -72.226234

Fenton-Ruby Park Willington Town Park 305 acres in Willington, CT Parking: Small lot near 201 Moose Meadow Rd Willington, CT Trail Map           Trails: 4.2…

Chenes Roches Preserve

★★☆☆☆

65 Blair Road, Willington, CT

Chenes Roches Preserve Joshua’s Trust Land Trust 56 acres in Willington, CT Parking: Small lot for 2-3 cars at 65 Blair Road, Willington, CT Trail Map     …

Knowlton Hill Preserve

★★☆☆☆

81 Knowlton Hill Rd, Storrs, CT 06268

Knowlton Hill Preserve Joshua’s Trust Land Trust 127 acres in Mansfield and Ashford, CT Parking: Small lot for three cars at 81 Knowlton Hill Rd, Storrs, CT Trail… Read more…

Kollar Wildlife Management Area

★★☆☆☆

41.907256, -72.299180

Kollar Wildlife Management Area Connecticut Wildlife Management Area 900+ acres in Tolland, CT Parking: Small lot just east of 130 N River Rd Tolland, CT Hunting Map …

Mono Pond State Park

★★☆☆☆

41.678741, -72.310645

Mono Pond State Park Reserve Connecticut State Park / Scenic Reserve 218 acres in Columbia, CT Parking: Medium sized lot near 120 Hunt Rd Columbia, CT Trail Map …