Vernon

Hike Vernon, CT

Part of Tolland County

 

If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Vernon this is the complete guide to all the long trails, waterfalls, and history it has to offer.

Vernon contains about 2,631 acres of Managed Open Space (23% of total land area), 2,455 acres (21%) of which are Protected Open Space. The town has 15 hiking locations for 25.5 miles of trails, 5 boating/fishing areas, and a disc golf course.

Trails range from the wide and flat Hop River Trail to the rutted climb up to the overlook above Valley Falls.

Explore
My Highlights

Hiking

Town Parks

  • Fox Hill Tower ★★– 0.3 miles – Great views from the tower on the hill and area to walk but no trails
  • Risley Pond –★★★– 3 miles – Great loop from the reservoir up to the ridge of Box Mountain, often has muddy sections
  • Valley Falls Park –★★★– 9 miles – Popular park with beach, varied trails, and loop options
  • Walker’s Reservoir –★★– 0.9 miles – Technically a loop with a road walk, but nice views of the water

Land Trust

State Parks / Forest

  • Bolton Notch State Park –★★★– 2 miles – A separate parcel from the popular cliffs/cave, this one is adjacent to the south end of Valley Falls with a loop trail
  • Belding Wildlife Management Area –★★★– 2 miles – Small pond, great trails along the river, and tall pines with a loop option
  • Hop River State Park Trail
    • Church St — 2 miles
      • Parking: 51 Church St, Vernon, CT
      • Access to the Rockville Spur Trail at the Pheonix St crossing and then a bit down Warren Ave.  The spur is 4 miles one way
      • Popular trail head with interpretive sign boards, a small pavilion, the remains of a train turntable pit, and more
      • Access to Talcotville Ravine Trail and waterfall near Dobson Rd
  • Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area –★★– 1.1 miles – Expansive WMA but the trails are pinched against noisy I-84 to curl around a small reservoir

Blue Blaze

  • Shenipsit Trail
    • 1.0 mile road walk along Reservoir Rd to Rt. 30 to pass under I-84
    • Parking off Reservoir Road
    • Tankerhoosen WMA –★★– 1.5 miles – A bit pinched along noisy I-84 to curl around a small reservoir
    • Belding WMA –★★– 1.6 miles – Peaceful pines along the banks of the Tankerhoosen River
    • Parking at Valley Falls lot
    • Valley Falls –★★★– 0.2 miles – Descend from the Hop River Trail to the western edge of Valley Falls Pond
    • Hop River Trail –★★– 1 mile – Flat stretch popular with cyclists with some railroad history

The Rest

  • Hockanum River Trail
    • Oakland Trail –★★– 2 miles – Holds tight to the river the entire way with a complete loop and a small island extension
    • Pleasantview Marsh –★★– 0.3 miles – Short connector across an incredible set of boardwalks
    • Dart Hill Park –★★– 1.5 miles – Largely stone dust path with occasional trail passing behind an industrial park and mansions
    • Dart Hill North –★★– 1.4 miles – Twisting trail with a couple nice views of the river
    • Windemere Avenue Trail –★★– 1 mile – Starts across a suspension bridge to follow an old line
    • Franklin Street Trail –★★– 0.6 miles –Short out and back with views of the marsh
  • Strong Family Farm –★★– 0.4 miles – Simple walk on open farm fields with a road walk loop option

Boating/Fishing

Disc Golf

What's Nearby

Town History

Vernon, incorporated from Bolton, Oct., 1808, and named probably from the home of George Washington at Mount Vernon, VA. Formerly North Bolton. The 119th oldest town in Connecticut.

Now go out and hike Vernon, CT!

Strong Family Farm

★★☆☆☆

778 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT 06066, USA

Strong Family Farm Connecticut Farmland Trust 33 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: Small lot near 778 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT Trail Map         Trails: 0.4…

Franklin Street Trail

★★☆☆☆

100 Franklin St, Vernon, CT 06066, USA

Franklin Street Trail Hockanum River Trail 35.49 acres in Ellington and Vernon, CT Parking: Small pull-off near 100 Franklin St, Vernon, CT Trail Map       …

Stickney Hill

★★☆☆☆

41 Pleasant Street, Vernon, CT, USA

Stickney Hill Manchester Land Trust 15.83 acres in Manchester, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 36 Pleasant St, Vernon, CT Trail Map      Trails: 0.7 miles   …

Ecker Hill

★★☆☆☆

777 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT, USA

Ecker Hill / Eckers Pond Vernon Town Park and Northern CT Land Trust 86 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: Medium lots up the hill near 777 Hartford…

Dart Hill Park

★★☆☆☆

680 Dart Hill Rd, Vernon, CT 06066, USA

Dart Hill Park / Pleasantview Marsh Trail Vernon Town Park and Hockanum River Trail 16 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: North End: Two medium lots near 680…

Hockanum River Trail: Dart Hill North

★★☆☆☆

100 Windsorville Rd, Vernon, CT, USA

Hockanum River Trail: Dart Hill North Hockanum River Trail 15 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: North End: Small lot before the gate near 100 Windsorville Rd, Vernon,…

Tolland Agricultural Center

★★☆☆☆

24 Hyde Ave, Vernon, CT, USA

Tolland Agricultural Center Tolland Ag Center Property and Blue Blaze Trail 30.81 acres in Tolland and Vernon, CT Parking: Small lot near 24 Hyde Ave, Vernon, CT …

Middle Bolton Lake

★★☆☆☆

248 Hatch Hill Road, Vernon, CT, USA

Middle Bolton Lake Connecticut State Boat Launch 121 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: Medium sized parking area near 248 Hatch Hill Road, Vernon, CT Boat Launch Map …

Tankerhoosen WMA

★★☆☆☆

41.841233, -72.445106

Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area Connecticut WMA 449 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: From the north at Walker’s Reservoir near 129 Reservoir Rd, Vernon, CT From the south… Read more…

Walker’s Reservoir

★★☆☆☆

129 Reservoir Rd, Vernon, CT, USA

Walker’s Reservoir Natural Area Vernon Town Park 12 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: Medium lot near 129 Reservoir Rd, Vernon, CT Trail Map       Trails: 0.9…