Looking for a pretty place to explore in Connecticut? Our state has tons of great state parks to enjoy, and Sleeping Giant State Park is one of the most lovely. Take a look!
Sleeping Giant State Park is located in Hamden. The entrance to the park is right across from Quinnipiac University.
Take the Sleeping Giant Tower Trail to explore the famous tower here. The trail is three miles, round trip. It takes you through beautiful wooded areas up to the tower.
The Nutmeg State is a beautiful place. Anyone who's spent much time here knows there are plenty of natural wonders in Connecticut: the mighty Kent Falls, the collection of the tiny Thimble Islands, the white sands of Ocean Beach Park... the list goes on and on. One underrated natural wonder here is tucked away in a tiny park in Salem, Connecticut. The gorgeous Gardner Lake lies partially within the state park that shares its name. While the lake itself is about 530 acres, Gardner Lake State Park is one of the smallest state parks in Connecticut at only 9.75 acres. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for with scenery. This lake is stunning to look at, provides recreational opportunities, and has a fascinating history to boot.
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Gardner Lake is a natural lake that spans about 530 acres, making it one of the largest lakes in the state. There are actually three parks that surround Gardner Lake: Gardner Lake State Park, Minnie Island State Park, and Hopemead State Park.
It's a stunning area. While Gardner Lake State Park is small and doesn't even measure 10 acres, it provides boating, fishing, and swimming access to the south portion of the lake.
In 1894, a grocer wanted to move his two-story home from the lake's south side to the east side. He felt he could save money and time by moving the house, fully furnished, via sleds once the lake froze over. He attempted to do so in February 1895 but lost control of the sleds, and the house drifted into a snowbank. The homeowner was unable to free it, and in the coming months, as the ice thawed, the home sank to the bottom of the lake. The second story poked above the lake's surface for many years, but the house eventually rotted away.
While history may have taught us that it's not a good idea to move a house across it, Gardner Lake is a beautiful place for relaxing, boating, or fishing.
Sometimes, even going to a giant state park isn't enough to guarantee you'll be away from crowds. After all, some of our more popular state parks in Connecticut draw quite a few visitors. Hammonasset Beach State Park is incredible and definitely worth a visit, but more than three million people a year do just that... so, if you're looking for tranquil peace to enjoy on your own, it's probably not the best spot. One lesser-known state park that does manage to offer all the beauty you'd expect of a spot designated as a state park while still not drawing oodles of people is Haddam Island State Park. Come along as we tell you all about it. We're sure you'll agree that it is also one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Connecticut.
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This state park is undeveloped, so you won't find picnic tables and bathrooms or other amenities here.
Have you ever been to Haddam Island State Park while kayaking or boating down the Connecticut River? What did you enjoy the most? Would you agree that this is perhaps one of the best parks in Connecticut? Are you aware of any other hidden gems in Connecticut? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
If you really enjoy the great outdoors, these 8 stunning boardwalks are definitely worth a visit.
Thinking about taking a Connecticut vacay soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club because there are so many wonderful things to do in CT!
If you’re still in the mood for more Connecticut adventures, take a look at this video:
