During my 2021 trip to New England, I spent one day driving across Connecticut. I could have just driven straight through, but decided to visit several Connecticut state parks along the way. I visited Pachaug State Forest after my day trip to Mystic, Connecticut. Then visited Gillette Castle State Park, Kent Falls State Park, and Campbell Falls State Park while driving across Connecticut on my way from Rhode Island to western Massachusetts.
Many of these state parks are small so they can be visited rather quickly. Even though I typically spent less than an hour at each park, you could easily find more to do. If you’re doing a lot of driving, these parks offer a great place to stop, get out and stretch your legs, and even do some short hikes.
Four Great Connecticut State Parks
Obviously there are more than four state parks in Connecticut. However, I only visited four (so far!) and all are worth visiting.
Pachaug State Forest and Mount Misery
Pachaug State Forest is located in eastern Connecticut, just near the Rhode Island state line. There are many hiking options here, so if you really enjoy hiking, you could easily make this more than just a road side break. For me though, it was just a break from driving and a way to get in a quick hike.
One of the most popular hikes here is a climb to the top of Mount Misery. Despite it’s ominous name, this is a nice hike to a great view overlooking the forest. I was a bit early for the fall colors, but I could see hints of the colors starting to change. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be during peak fall colors.
To get here, follow directions to the Pachaug State Forest Parking located on Cutoff Road. There is no fee to enter the park or for parking. Once parked, you’ll walk west down Cutoff Road toward the trees. Shortly after you enter the forest, you will see a sign on your left pointing you to Mount Misery.
Follow this sign and then look for the blue blazes painted on the trees to guide your way. Several reviews of this hike that that it’s a good idea to have a map because it was sometimes difficult to follow the blue blazes. I didn’t have this problem, but I still think it’s a good idea to have a map or some other form of guidance, just in case.
Quite frankly, it was more confusing trying to figure out where I needed to go once I arrived at the parking lot.
The entire hike is 1.9 miles and has about 230 feet of elevation change.
Gillette Castle State Park
This state park isn’t about hiking, it’s about seeing what looks like a medieval castle in the forests of Connecticut. If this sounds strange, don’t worry, it sounded strange to me too.
Gillette Castle was built by an eccentric actor in the 1900s and is now open for tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Parking is free but taking a tour to see the inside of the castle will cost extra.
If you’re like me and are visiting after Labor Day, you’ll be unable to tour the inside of the castle. However, the grounds are still open and you are free to explore. Walk the paths around the castle, taking it in from all sides.
The castle was cool, but the views overlooking the river were spectacular. I just wish I would have had better weather. If you’re looking for a break that doesn’t involve hiking and just has some great views, put Gillette Castle State Park on your list.
Kent Falls State Park
This is one of many state parks in New England that takes you to a waterfall. I’m not sure if I would call this a hike, but you do walk along a pathway to a 250 foot waterfall.
Once you get to the park, walk through the covered bridge that can be seen from the parking lot. As soon as you cross through the bridge, you’ll see a waterfall from a distance. Walk up close for some nice photos. At the base of the waterfall, stairs and a pathway lead up the right hand side of the waterfall and you can follow these all the way to the top.
Kent Falls State Park is the only state park I visited in Connecticut where a fee was required. There was no one here to collect the fee, but you will find signs with information about how to pay your fee online. Fees will vary by day and by state license plate.
Learn more about parking fees in CT Parks and Forests
Campbell Falls State Park
This state park straddles the border between Connecticut and Massachusetts. The falls are technically in Massachusetts, but when I visited, I parked in Connecticut. This is the one park where I would really recommend having a map. I had downloaded the area on Google Maps and was able to follow that, but there are much better alternatives out there. If you are using your phone, make sure to have the map downloaded as I had very poor service in this park.
This hike may be easier to follow in other seasons, but when I was here in late October, leaves had fallen and it was not obvious at all where the trail was. Without my previously downloaded map, there is no way I would have made it to the falls.
This trail is 1.4 miles round trip with 187 feet of elevation change.
Planning Your Time
During my trip, I stayed in West Greenwich, Rhode Island since it made a great base for day trips. Providence, Newport, and Mystic, CT are all less than a 45 minute drive away. One day, I visited Mystic, CT and Pachaug State Forest on my drive back.
The next day, I drove from West Greenwich, RI to Pittsfield, MA, stopping at Gillette Castle State Park, Kent Falls State Park, and Campbell Falls State Park (in that order). The entire trip took me about seven hours, including stops at each of these three parks. The total driving time was approximately four and a half hours.
Going this way is longer than driving directly from West Greenwich to Pittsfield. If you take the most direct route between these two cities, it’s only two and a half hour drive, but you will not drive through Connecticut and will be on a toll road. If you have the time, I would recommend taking the time to drive the long way to explore a little bit of Connecticut. These state parks helped push Connecticut up in my rankings of favorite New England states.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty more state parks, state forests, and waterfalls to visit in Connecticut, but these are the four I visited during my trip to New England and I can honestly say I enjoyed each of them and would recommend if they fit into your itinerary.
Continue Your Adventure
Connecticut: Besides it’s state parks, consider a visit to the historic fishing village of Mystic.
More in New England: Connecticut is just one small piece of New England. In Maine, visit Portland and tour its bay by Mail Boat Cruise or day trip to picturesque Cape Elizabeth. In Vermont, visit the charming town of Stowe. In New York, make a quick stop in Albany. And in Rhode Island, visit the stunning mansions of Newport.
New England Itineraries: For an awesome introduction into New England, try this 10 Day Road Trip from Providence, Rhode Island to Portland, Maine. For those with less time, I’ve put together a series of one week New England itineraries, each focusing on a different region in New England.
Went to Gillette Castle with Steve’s family, and Steve has been to Kent State Park while he lived in CT. Great visits!