Pachaug State Forest in Connecticut is known for its lush vegetation, outdoor activities, and paranormal folklore.
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Hidden Valley Preserve in Washington, CT is one of the best spots in the state to visit in the fall - it's lovely!
New England is known all across the country for its amazing fall foliage, and you'll find no shortage of things to do in Connecticut in the fall. From pumpkin patches to apple picking, there's an endless array of wonder on display in the Nutmeg State when autumn rolls around, but one of the most popular activities is undoubtedly leaf peeping. The brilliant golds, reds, and oranges of our trees is a magnificent sight that we shouldn't take for granted... after all, not everywhere is lucky enough to get to see nature's splendor like this! One of our favorite places to observe the changing leaves in Connecticut is the beautiful Hidden Valley Preserve in Washington, CT. This gem of a park offers up some amazing trails that are perfect for exploring, and there's a lot to see here, especially if you visit at fall's peak.
Hidden Valley Preserve is managed by the Steep Rock Association, a land trust that conserves more than 5,700 acres in Connecticut. The 940-acre Hidden Valley Preserve is just one of five preserves managed by the organization, but its magnificent scenery and great hiking opportunities make it one of the most popular with the public.
Throughout the park, you'll find quotes from Henry David Thoreau, one of New England's favorite sons. The naturalist and writer spent much of his life in the New England region and famously sequestered himself away in a cabin on Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts for more than two years.
In addition to quotes from Thoreau, the park immortalizes him with the unique Thoreau Bridge, a 134-foot swinging bridge that spans the Shepaug River.
A visit here is amazing at any time of year - the preserve's meadows, overlooks, and water views are unparalleled. It's particularly amazing in the fall, though. The mixed forests result in a variety of shades that offer up brilliant reds, golds, and oranges throughout the fall season.
The park has more than 20 miles of trails, and the trail system has several easier kid-friendly options as well as more challenging treks.
You can learn more about Hidden Valley Preserve at the Steep Rock Association website. For more information about the amazing fall hikes at Hidden Valley Preserve, check out our friends at AllTrails. If you're looking to get out and explore more this autumn, consider a free trial of AllTrails+, which has all kinds of fun benefits like turn-by-turn directions and downloadable trail maps that will make your hikes safer and more enjoyable.
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Times are tough, and if you're looking for free things to do in Connecticut, a visit to Meriden's Hubbard Park is a must.
Times are tough, and I know I'm not alone when I say that when I'm out exploring, I (unfortunately!) have to try to stick to a budget. It can be tough to find free or cheap things to do, whether I'm in my local area or straying far from home. One wonderful option for affordable fun at any time of year is to spend time outdoors. Connecticut is an amazingly beautiful place with so much diverse scenery. From our hilly areas to our sandy shoreline, there's endless adventure waiting to be had outside - and much of it is free or very cheap. One of our favorite free things to do in Meriden, CT is to pay a visit to the magnificent Hubbard Park. The annual Christmas light show here is a huge hit, but the park is wonderful at any time of year and features some of the Nutmeg State's best views.
The 1,800-acre park is made up of 51 parcels of land. Much of the land's interesting topography was formed by volcanic eruptions that occurred more than 200 million years ago. Over time, the sediment has worn away to form cliffs, valleys, and other unique features.
There's no shortage of trails here, and colored blazes allow you to follow your intended trail without getting lost. Experienced hikers will adore the difficult 4.4-mile Mirror Lake, Castle Craig, and Merimere Reservoir Loop, which offers up some of the park's most incredible views. If you're not up for a challenge, there are some great shorter trails, too.
One of the park's most notable features is the beautiful Castle Craig Tower. This 32-foot-tall observation tower was constructed in 1900 and sits atop the 976-foot East Peak. All that altitude means the top of the tower is more than 1,000 feet above sea level.
Climb the stairs here and you'll have access to an observation deck that has some really remarkable views. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Berkshires of Southern Massachusetts and the Long Island Sound.
This is such a beautiful area to explore the outdoors, whether you're heading out solo, with the entire family, or on a romantic date for two. The lack of entrance fee means the only cost you'll incur is the gas to get here.
Looking for more information about Hubbard Park? Check out the City of Meriden website or our friends at AllTrails. If you're a regular hiker in Connecticut, you don't want to miss out on a free trial of AllTrails+. Even the free accounts are an invaluable resource for nature lovers, but the affordable subscription allows you to enjoy live-sharing of activities, turn-by-turn directions, and even 3D flyover maps.
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