Tolland County

Explore Tolland County

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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

Freja Park

★★☆☆☆

41.786520, -72.455719

Freja Park Bolton Town Park 21 acres in Bolton, CT Parking: Access from the Park & Ride off Rt. 44 or at Bolton Notch State Park Trail…

Heritage Farm

★★☆☆☆

41.770126, -72.429445

Heritage Farm Bolton Town Park 40 acres in Bolton, CT Parking:      At the farm 266 Bolton Center Rd, Bolton, CT      From the Hop…

Nipmuck State Forest: South Parcel

★★☆☆☆

41.943590, -72.252048

Nipmuck State Forest – South Parcel Connecticut State Forest 900+ acres in Willington and Stafford, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 57 Polster Road, Willington, CT Trail Map   …

Moss Sanctuary

★★☆☆☆

41.794613, -72.239224

Albert E. Moss Forest, Wildflower, and Wildlife Sanctuary Mansfield Town Park 135 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Pull off for two cars near 1105 Storrs Rd Storrs, CT. … Read more…

Dunhamtown Forest

★★★☆☆

41.786132, -72.256188

Dunhamtown Forest Mansfield Town Park 226 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Small lot near 109 Dunham Pond Rd Mansfield, CT Aerial Trail Map           …

Dorwart Preserve

★★☆☆☆

41.796344, -72.195826

Dorwart Preserve and Lion’s Memorial Park Mansfield Town Parks 125 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Small pull-off near 215 Mulberry Rd Mansfield, CT Trail Map     …

Grayville Falls

★★★☆☆

41.612828, -72.368980

Grayville Falls Town Park Hebron Town Park 20 acres in Hebron, CT Parking: Medium sized lot near 142 Grayville Rd Hebron, CT Trail Map        Trails:…

Bigelow Hollow State Park

★★★★★

41.994655, -72.130835

Bigelow Hollow State Park Connecticut State Park / Nipmuck State Forest 516 acres in Union, CT Parking: Several large lots along the park’s road off CT-171. Trail… Read more…

Belding Wildlife Management Area

★★★☆☆

41.831035, -72.447298

Belding Wildlife Management Area Connecticut State WMA 282 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: Lots of shoulder parking near 3 Bread and Milk Rd Vernon, CT Shoulder parking…

Fifty Foot Cliff Preserve

★★★☆☆

41.790196, -72.212954

Fifty Foot Cliff Preserve Mansfield Town Park 102 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Small lot behind the Mansfield Historical Society at 954 Storrs Rd, Storrs, CT or from… Read more…