by Sophia Ryzhikov

Created on: February 27, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Connecticut is filled with beautiful state parks, which offer plenty of site-seeing, as well as other attractions. There are parks with walking trails, lakes and rivers for swimming, and sites for camping and picnicking. Bring everyone you know, or visit on your own. I am sure that you will be able to find a favorite park for you and your family from the twelve or so parks throughout the Connecticut area.

Black Rock park in Litchfield offers scenic views among the hills of the Western Highlands. The park has sites for swimming and hiking on the Mattatuck trail. From the trail, you will be able to see the Naugatuck Valley and the Black Rock. Devil's Hopyard park in East Haddam allows some of the best birding in the state, and fishing for brook trout. You will be able to go bicycling and hiking.

Hopeville Pond park in Jewett is a good place to fish and hike. The campsites border the Pauchaug river, where you can swim and boat, or just relax on the beach. Fishing is good for trout and largemouth bass, and the scenic sites are excellent for birdwatching. Kettletown park in Southbury is great for camping, freshwater fishing, and hiking. The popular park recreation destinations include the Housatonic River and Lake Zoar. Natural hiking trails offer views of the lake and small waterfall, as well as sites of Kettletown Brook and hemlock forests.

Macedonia Brook park in Kent boasts hiking and stream fishing, and has camping and hiking places. It is filled with hiking trails, and surrounded by trees. Rocky Neck park in East Lyme is great for hiking, camping, and saltwater fishing and swimming. It includes a large stone pavilion, many trails for viewing wildlife, and a beach.

Burr Pond park in Torrington offers swimming at the pond, hiking the trails in search of the bronze historical tablet, as well as fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The park is beautiful with its wildlife and fall foliage, a forest and wildflowers. A visit to Hammonasset Beach park is more than just a day at the beach. There is more than two miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or surfing. You can also go bicycling, camping, or boating.

Housatonic meadows park in Sharon offers camping, canoeing, fly fishing, and hiking. The riverbank is surrounded with tall pines, and you can fly fish for trout and bass. Lake Waramaug park in Kent has a picturesque view of the lake, and during the fall, the foliage reflects in the lake surface. There is also camping, lake fishing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking.

Mashamoquet brook park in Pomfret with its Wolf's Den offers hiking, camping, fishing and swimming for the whole family. Sleeping giant in Hamden is named after two miles of mountaintop resembling a sleeping giant. There is hiking, nature trail, a lookout tower, scenic vista, and stream fishing available.

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