Valley Falls

Valley Falls Park / Andrew Kenneth Webster Preserve

Vernon Town Park and Northern Connecticut Land Trust

196 acres in Vernon, CT

Parking: Large lot near 300 Valley Falls Rd, Vernon, CT

Trail Map     Trails: 9 miles        Rating: ★★★☆☆

Often known as “Vernon’s Jewel”

Hiking

From simple loops around the pond to a long stretch of the Shenipsit Trail, to easy access to the Hop River Trail, to wooded old farm roads and steep climbs to Echo Ridge overlook, Valley Falls has a lot to offer.

Andrew Kenneth Webster Preserve

Crossing over the Hop River Trail from Valley Falls leads into this Northern Connecticut Land Trust Property which is a functional extension of Valley Falls.  The main trail is a short loop uphill known as the Lookout Trail (though the trail map above shows it as an out and back) through mountain laurel to Echo Ridge an eastern overlook perfect for sunrise views.

There are also the Boulder Crest inner and outer loops that are just over a mile long.  These trails are much less often used so are a bit harder to follow. Largely a wooded walk with at least one steep climb the trail does briefly pass the backside of private property in a couple places.  Google Maps shows it as the Bouldercrest Lane Property which is a large maintained field which the trail skirts the edge of.  There are also suggestions of a rocky overlook at the backside of the loop, but it turned out to be a rocky knob with a view through the trips of some nearby rooftops.  The trail then works its way back down to the Hop River Trail.

Swimming

This is a popular swimming spot in the area hence the summer entrance fees.  There is a good sized beach along the pond complete with lifeguard tower.

History:

Valley Falls was established as a park in 1964. Read a complete history here.

The Webster Preserve was sold to the Northern Connecticut Land Trust for $94,000 by Andrew Knapp in 2004.  It is named the Andrew Kenneth Webster Preserve, after Andrew Knapp’s great-grandfather.  The land was originally a farmer’s wood lot until it was sold to the Knapp family around 1900.

Links:

Friends of Valley Falls

Peter Marteka – Tiptoeing Under The Tulip Trees In Vernon (2014)

CTMQ – Valley Falls Park Trails & Belding Path (2010)

Peter Marteka – Land Trust Adds ‘Wood Lot’ In Vernon (2004)

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Last updated March 16th, 2020