Devil’s Hopyard State Park – East Haddam, CT

A Shared Landscape A Guide & History of Connecticut's State Parks & Forests


The primary attraction of Devil’s Hopyard State Park is Chapman Falls, which falls over 60 feet along a rocky trail. Chapman Falls is just off the road near the south entrance of Devil’s Hopyard State Park.

In addition to the falls, Devil’s Hopyard State Park features fishing holes, picnicking, camping, and several hiking trails. My family and I took the orange trail, which starts just after the covered bridge in the picnic area. The trail makes an approximately 2 mile loop with a scenic overlook at the halfway point. The overlook gives a nice vista view of the valley below. The trail goes through the woods. It is easy hiking. There are only a few hills and some medium boulders to negotiate. My 5-year old son made it with no problems.

One bonus: While driving around exploring the park we saw several deer. I don’t remember the exact count, but something like 4 or 5 sets of deer.

The state link to the park is below:
http://www.ct.gov/Dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325188

Kent Falls State Park -- Kent, CT

What: Kent Falls State Park
Where: Route 7, Kent, CT. Just south of the boarder with Cornwall.
What's Available: Picnicking, fishing, hiking, some swimming
Facilities: Not much. It's basically a parking lot, a big field, and a hiking trail along the falls. Bathrooms are available, but are not open all the time.

I happened to be in the area on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, so my family and I took a short excursion to Kent Falls State Park, or just Kent Falls as it is locally referred. We spent about 90 minutes hiking the short trail (about 1 mile one-way) to the top of the falls, hanging out by the stream at the bottom of the falls, and enjoying an ice cream from a cart that set up shop in the parking lot.
A lot of people were taking advantage of the first warm weekend of spring at Kent Falls. There were several picnics in process. Charcoal grills and tables are available at the park. There were several people fishing for trout in the stream at the base of the falls. The trout were visible from the shore. There is a 2 fish limit, and I believe the stream is frequently stocked. There were some kites, some Frisbee, some football, some wading in the water, but mostly Kent Falls is just a place to hang out and relax while enjoying the picturesque falls. It's a popular stop for bikers (both motorcycle and pedal cyclists), and tourists enjoying the rural area.
I believe there is usually a $5 fee for parking at the falls. The state had not yet opened their collection booth, so on this weekend the park was free. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Interesting Fact: The park was created as part of the New Deal public works programs during FDR's administration. There is a plaque near the covered bridge that crosses the river that commemorates the establishment of the park.

Gillette Castle State Park -- East Haddam, CT

The Facts:

What: Museum, walking trails, picnicking

Homepage: http://www.ct.gov/dEP/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325204

Cost: $5 per adult for castle tour

The last time I visited Gillette Castle State Park I was a young kid on a day trip with my mother and grandmother. At that time the castle itself was really the only attraction, and even that was not in the greatest shape. Since that time, the state has initiated an overhaul of the park. The result is that an ill-fitting oddity has been transformed into a Connecticut asset.

The castle itself is interesting. It's a self-guided tour but with guides throughout to answer questions, and give short presentations. The castle features the eccentric, but clever, designs of William Gillette. The top floors of the castle offers scenic views of the Connecticut River and surrounding valley. Touring the whole castle probably took about 1 hour.

While the castle indeed makes the park unique, the highlight of the park is the surrounding grounds. The state has made the grounds of the park a pleasure to roam. There are several parking areas with a multitude of picnic tables. There are also walking paths throughout the property, and one leading down to the river. I would not call these "hiking" trails as they are generally relatively short, but they do offer a good opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings. We even caught a glimpse of a deer on the way into the park.

The park also offers a newly constructed visitor center that includes a gift shop and dinning. However, our group decided to skip the dinning hall and take advantage of one of the numerous picnic spots. We had an enjoyable, laid back, impromptu picnic in a secluded wooded parking area.
I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Gillette Castle State Park.

Lynch Park, Beverly MA

The Facts:
Where:
Lynch Park
55 Ober Street
Beverly, MA 01915
What: Beach, Picnic Area, Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Playground, Rose Garden
Cost: Free with Beverly resident. Parking fee for non-residents ($20) during summer

Yes, I know the name of this blog is Connecticut Outdoors. And, yes, I know Lynch Park is in Massachusetts. However, as it says in the blog description, connecticutoutdoors.blogspot.com is dedicated to outdoor recreation in Connecticut and beyond. This recently past weekend my family had the opportunity to travel to "the beyond". While visiting friends in the area we spend a leisurely morning at Lynch Park in Beverly, MA. The park offers a great chance for a relaxing day. It is not an especially large park, so it does not offer serious hiking trails. That's not what Lynch Park is all about. The park is mainly geared towards shoreline activities, picnicking, and relaxing. The park is very well kept, and there are plenty of open spaces. The park has two beaches. One is a sandier beach, and the second is a rocky beach. My son had great fun tossing rocks and hunting crabs on the rocky beach. There were kayak rentals available near the sandy beach, although it seemed like an impromptu thing, and not something you could count on being there. Lynch Park offers an excellent opportunity to explore Salem harbor by kayak. Several families took advantage of the great weather and beautiful park setting to enjoy a picnic on one of the many available picnic tables. The playground was adequate, and the flower garden was worth checking out.
Lynch Park is not a place in which you would make a dedicated trip to visit. However, if you are in the area it was a pleasant place to spend a lazy day.