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!

Fox Hill Tower

★★★☆☆

41.863053, -72.444422

Fox Hill Memorial Tower / Henry Park Vernon Town Park 44 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: Closest for Tower/Overlook: Pull-off for a dozen cars near Tower Rd… Read more…

Talcott Ravine

★★★☆☆

41.823406, -72.493271

Talcott Ravine Northern Connecticut Land Trust Property 26 acres in Vernon, CT Parking: Medium sized lot near 9 Main St Vernon, CT Map         …

Valley Falls

★★★☆☆

300 Valley Falls Rd, Vernon, CT 06066, USA

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…

Risley Park

★★★☆☆

41.801953, -72.470323

John S. Risley Park Manchester Land Conservation Trust and CFPA Blue Blaze Trail 180 acres in Vernon, Bolton, Manchester, CT Parking: Medium sized lot near 366 Lake…

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…