★★★☆☆
41.913346, -72.095686
Crystal Pond Park Eastford and Woodstock Community Park 120 acres in Eastford and Woodstock, CT Parking: Large lot near 305 Crystal Pond Road, Woodstock, CT Trail Map Trails:… Read more…
Woodstock
Hike Woodstock, CT
(Part of Windham County)
If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Woodstock this is the complete guide to all the long trails, waterfalls, and history it has to offer.
Woodstock is the second largest town in the state, encompassing 61.8 square miles (after New Milford). There are 11 hikeable locations with a dozen miles of trails, 4 options for boating/fishing, and a handful of unique local bakeries breweries and stores.
Links
- 2015 Plan of Conservation and Development
- 2003 Plan of Conservation and Development
- Woodstock Conservation Commission
- CTMQ’s Guide to Woodstock
Explore
My Highlights |expand|
- Connecticut’s newest blue blaze trail
- Great disc golf at Crystal Pond
Hiking |expand|
Town Parks
- Crystal Pond Park –★★★– 2.5 miles – Hiking, disc golf, and water access all in one spot, though hiking trails are a bit rough
- Fifty Acre Wood –★★– 1.5 miles – Nearly a forgotten town trail, somewhat overgrown loop
- Muddy Pond – Woodstock Town Beach open to town residents only, no boating
Land Trust
- New Roxbury Land Trust – None of their properties have marked trails
- Bishop Preserve
- Border Woods – Off Rt. 198 about 200ft of trail that dead ends quickly at private property
- Kenyon Woods
- Wyndham Land Trust
- Cabbage Hill –★★– 1.5 miles – Mowed paths to a great field view and an old cemetary
- Cartier Preserve –★★– 1.2 miles – New unblazed trail through an ocean of ferns and dense mountain laurel
- Little River Greenway –★– 0.15 miles – Very short boardwalk with no views
- Rapoport Preserve –★– 1.5 miles – Likely nicer in the winter, these trails are overgrown without much to note
- Rocky Hill Refuge –★– 0.5 miles – Skip this out and back field-access road
State Parks / Forest
- Nipmuck State Forest –Unexplored– Old woods roads in this section adjacent to Bigelow Hollow
Blue Blaze
- Wabbaquasset Trail –★★★– 1.3 miles – The state’s newest blue blaze trail is a picturesque loop through Hibbard Forest
The Rest
- Lem Walker Loop at Hatchet Hill – Private property, no access
- The Old Connecticut Path – Historical path
- Roseland Park – Unexplored
Boating |expand|
- Black Pond – 77 acre pond next to the YMCA camp
- Crystal Pond – 148 acre pond with a developed shoreline
- North Running Brook Fishing Hole – A couple fishing spots on either side of Joy Road
- Roseland Lake – Fishing is considered excellent in this 90 acre state stocked lake
Breweries, Bakeries, and More |expand|
- Farm to Table Market – Great farm store with local meats, milk in glass bottles, and other local products
- Soleil Bakery – Thursday-Sunday 10-6pm – Old fashioned bakery items, old world breads, and personalized cake options
- Sweet Evalina’s Stand – A little hidden gem with fresh-prepared casual foods
- Taylor Brook Winery and Brewery – Two separate buildings for tastings and casual hang out spots
History |expand|
Geologically a glacial drumlin field. The area was historically home to the Wabbaquasset tribe or band meaning “mat producing country” part of the larger Nipmuck tribe. The Old Connecticut Path which ran from the Connecticut River to modern day Boston passed through Woodstock above Crystal and Woodstock Ponds. At the time the settlers came, Wabbaquasset country was held by the Mohegan Uncas as a Pequot conquest. The land was formally deeded to Captain James Fitch in 1680 and in 1686, residents from Massachusetts settled the area and called it New Roxbury.
The Puritan missionary John Eliot encouraged the Native Americans to form a village of “Praying Indians” in South Woodstock. He called it Wahbuquoshish meaning “near the bend in the outlet from Woodstock Pond.” In 1934, Arthur Basto, an amateur archeologist, confirmed that this village was located near Woodstock Pond, on the site of the William Basto Farm.
While largely agricultural in nature, “by 1820, there were 2 distilleries, 2 wheel wrights, an oil mill, fulling mill, carding machines, grist mills, saw mills, a goldsmith, and twine and cotton batting operations. Woodstock Valley was known for its shoe factories,” according to the history page at the Woodstock town site. Industry didn’t last long, reverting to a rural town and becoming a summer destination for wealthy city dwellers.
Now go out and hike Woodstock, CT!