Connecticut’s Incredible Topsmead State Forest Looks Even More Spectacular In the Winter

Topsmead State Forest is a beautiful 500-acre preserve in the Litchfield Hills. Originally the summer home of Edith Chase, it's a grand place with a beautiful estate home on the property. It's popular with hikers, hunters, horseback riders, and nature lovers. The home's gardens are decked out in resplendent colors each spring, and the house is occasionally open for tours in the warm months. That means that spring and summer tend to be the most popular times to visit this beautiful state forest in Connecticut. But it's equally as beautiful in the wintertime. Check it out:

If you've been to Topsmead State Forest, there's a good chance it looked like this at the time. The gardens are stunning arrays of color, and it's no wonder that this is a popular venue for outdoor weddings.

But in truth, Topsmead State Forest is just as beautiful in the winter, if not more so.

When covered in snow, the grounds make for a postcard-worthy winter wonderland.

The house is not open in the fall or winter for tours, but the outside makes for a gorgeous scene.

There's a lot of space to explore here. The cottage was Edith Chase's summer home, but she also purchased a neighboring farm. Much of that farmland is now beautiful meadows that are perfect for a winter stroll.

Upon her death, Mrs. Chase left her property to the state of Connecticut, specifying that it should be left in a natural state.

Cross country skiers and horseback riders sometimes use the property, but we're fond of a good winter stroll.

The grounds are open year-round during daylight hours.

If you'd like to see more of beautiful Topsmead State Forest in the winter, check out this great YouTube slide show from Kathleen Johnson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pey6JFSD3O8