Sessions Woods -- Burlington, CT

What: Hiking trails, nature center
Where: Route 69, Burlington, CT

Sessions Woods is a state owned property featuring several hiking trails and a large nature center building. The building is used for programs, but also contains a permanent exhibit displaying samples of local wildlife. The highlight of Sessions Woods are the well maintained walking trails. The primary trail goes 2.6 miles through forested property. The trail is wide, and well maintained with crushed stone. It's an ideal trail for an easy hike, jog, or a dog walk. On Saturday morning I did the complete loop with my dog and 3-year old son. The trail contains mile markers, which are especially helpful to joggers.
Along the primary trail there are several side excursions. There is a permanent observation blind on a beaver pond, an outlook fire tower, and a waterfall, as well as several side trails. There are also nature exhibits along the trail.
Sessions Woods is a ideal place for a peaceful walk through the woods.

Transitioning to Fall

Connecticut Outdoors is experiencing a little bit of a slow down as we transition from the summer to fall season.

As we move towards fall you can expect a reduced percentage of posts relating to family day-trips, and a higher percentage of posts on fall hunting.

I still have a few family outdoor hikes planned while the weather is still good, but there will be no more beach related posts, no more camping/campground posts, and kayaking season is also likely ending.

I might also try to throw a few equipment reviews in, which are actually quite popular and generate a lot of hits from random Internet users.

A Day at the Beach: Silver Sands State Park – Milford, CT

Shhhhh. Don’t let too many people know about this little known gem! I hesitated to even put this one on my blog. However, this beach certainly has room for growth.

Credit my wife for discovering this one.

My family visited Silver Sands State Park during this past Labor Day weekend, typically one of the busiest beach weekends of the year. What a different beach experience from the typical Hammonassett-Rocky Neck trip! The park was 100% free. That’s right; no parking charge, no entrance fee. There was ample parking. The beach was not crowded at all, even at mid-day.
The attitude at Silver Sands was laid back. There was none of the strict rules and pretentiousness of other beaches. If you want to fly a kite, go ahead. If you want to bring your kayaks on the beach and do some paddling, go ahead.
Silver Sands beach includes an island a short distance out. This island is accessible by foot during low tide via a sand bar adjacent to the main beach. We used our kayaks to reach the island.
There are some things you will not find as Silver Sands that are available at some of the more popular state public beaches. There is not a changing area, shower area, or bathroom. Porto-potties only. Large waves are also non-existent at Silver Sands. This is good for small children, but may be a bit of a disappointment for older children that enjoy the waves. There is also no food service available on the beach. You will need to pack your own.
Although the water and overall grounds are quite nice, the sand is not the highest quality. There are quite a few small shells that make it a little rougher than some other beaches. I suggest bringing sandals or some sort of water shoe.
Some of these features may turn some people off to Silver Sands, but for me it was a benefit. Silver Sands was a bare bones, simple, back to basics park. Low crowds, low cost, and low stress.

Silver Sands will likely replace Hammonassett as our family beach destination.