Family Fun in Litchfield County

Animal Farms

Action Wildlife Foundation, Inc.  337 Torrington Rd., Rte. 4, Goshen, CT 06756. (860) 482-4465 and (860) 491-9191. Located on 116 acres and set within the Northwest Hills of Litchfield County. Guests tour the facility by foot, or you can book a hayride tour to view over 32 species of exotic animals from around the world. Stop by the petting zoo and visit our new Museum and Exploration Center. The museum showcases taxidermy animals from throughout the world displayed in the their natural settings, including two natural waterfalls! Check out our live reptile center, large iguana habitat and our hands on educational center for children. Drive or walk around our safari section. Call to book an educational tour. The farm is open from Apr.-Nov. and the Museum and Exploration Center is open all year round. Action Wildlife Website

Southwind Farms  223 Morris Town Line Rd., Watertown, CT 06795. (860) 274-9001. What's an Alpaca? Take a break from the hectic world around you and come visit our 50+ alpacas. You relax and laugh a bit at the antics of these curious, gentle animals whose fleece is compared to cashmere. Maybe you'll even want your own? We also carry our yarn, processed in Connecticut, along with products for sale. Please call to schedule a time convenient for both of us. Southwind Farms Website

Horseback Riding

Lee's Riding Stable, Inc.  57 East Litchfield Rd., off Rte. 118, Litchfield, CT 06759. (860) 567-0785.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live the dream of horseback riding in the rolling hills of the beautiful Litchfield, Connecticut countryside? A visit to Lee's Riding Stable, Inc. in Litchfield, Connecticut can make your dream come true! With well-mannered trail horses and experienced trail guides, your ride is bound to be one to remember. Ages 7 and up are welcome on the trail from 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week. For the younger horse lovers, pony rides are offered in our indoor and outdoor rings. You will want to come back again and again! Lee's Riding Stable Website

Canoeing, Rafting & Tubing

Clarke Outdoors  163 Rte. 7, West Cornwall, CT 06796. (860) 672-6365. Canoe, kayak and raft on the beautiful Housatonic River. Rentals, guide service and instruction available. Whitewater rafting at Bulls Bridge Gorge in the Spring. Kayak instruction available by ACA Certified Instructors. Large retail store March 15-Dec. 2. Clarke Outdoor Website

Farmington River Tubing  located inside Satan's Kingdom State Recreation Area, Rte. 44, New Hartford, CT 06057. Spend a few hours riding a specially designed innertube down 2.5 miles of the wild and scenic Farmington River. Open Memorial Day through mid-Sept. Call ahead for current hours and river conditions (860) 693-6465. Farmington River Website

Main Stream Canoes and Kayaks  170 Main St., Rte. 44, New Hartford, CT 06057. (860) 693-6791. Fax: (860) 693-4844. Located on the scenic Farmington River with white water and flat water canoe and kayak trips. Trips are offered guided or unguided. We also offer bike tours. Open seven days a week with over 30 years of experience. Main Stream Website

The Trading Post, LLC  314 Kent Road (Route 7N), New Milford, CT 06776 (860) 354-3276; and 618 Main St. (Rte. 25), Monroe, CT 06468. (203) 261-0618. Canoe and Kayak Outfitters located on the Housatonic River. We offer the finest paddle sport products from Old Town, Perception, Wilderness Systems, Current Designs, and Ocean Kayak for paddlers of all ages and abilities. Personalized lessons, large rental fleet, family and corporate outings/demonstrations are tailored to your individual needs and requirements. We even have our very own demonstration pond! Open 6 days a week, closed Wed. Trading Post Website

Camping, Hiking & Fishing

Above All State Park 
31 Acres in Warren & Litchfield Activities: Bird Watching, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking. From the junction of Route 45 and Route 341 in Warren, proceed north on Route 45 for 0.2 mile and turn left on Sackett Hill Road.  Directions: Follow Sackett Hill Road 0.7 mile and turn left on Above All Road.  Follow Above All Road for 1.0 mile to the barred gate on the left.

Burr Pond 
5 miles north of Torrington on Rte. 8. Site of Borden's first condensed milk factory. Scenic trail encircles 88 acre pond. 40 wooded campsites, concession, water, change house, flush toilets, picnicking, pond fishing, swimming, hiking, boating, x-country skiing, ice skating, mountain biking. Charge: daily. Campground Office: (860) 379-0172 (mid-April-Sept. 30). Park Office: (860) 482-1817.

Black Rock 
2 miles west of Thomaston on Rte. 6. The name "Black Rock" is derived from graphite that was mined here by early settlers. 96 campsites, concession, flush toilets, water, showers, picnicking, field sports, swimming, ice skating, pond and stream fishing, hiking on blue blazed Mattatuck Trail, x-country skiing. Leatherman Cave from park proceed west on Rte. 6 for 0.5 mi, park at Mattatuck Trail Marker. Alcohol Prohibited. Charge: daily. Campground Office: (860) 283-8088 (Weekends only - 3rd Sat. Apr. - Memorial Day. Memorial Day - Oct. 31st daily 8 a.m.- Sunset. Park Office: (860) 567-5694.

Campbell Falls 
5 miles north of Haystack Mt., Rte. 272, left on Tobey Hill Rd., Norfolk. Trails wind thru woodland to splashing cascades. Picnicking, stream fishing, hiking. (860) 482-1817. Charge: none.

Dennis Hill 
2 miles south of Norfolk, on Rte. 272. A unique pavilion (1,627 ft.) provides a panoramic view of the Litchfield Hills. Picnicking, hiking, x-country skiing. (860) 482-1817. Charge: none.

Enders State Forest 
From jct. of Rte. 219 and Rte. 20 take Rte. 20 west for 1.2 miles and turn into the Forest on Left. The centerpiece of this wild parcel of land is a beautiful series of Mountain Brook's cascades that descend into a narrow gorge passing through stands of hardwoods and evergreens. An informal network of trails allows visitors to explore both sides of the river where evidence of old impoundment walls remain.

Haystack Mountain 
1 mile north of Norfolk on Rte. 272. Views of the Berkshires and peaks in New York from a 34 ft. stone observation tower (1,716 ft.). Tower 1/2 mile trail from parking lot. Picnicking and Hiking. (860) 482-1817. Charge: none.

Housatonic Meadows 
1 mile north of Cornwall Bridge on Rte. 7. Located on the Housatonic River. Park is known for its 2-mi. stretch of water limited to fly-fishing. 95 campsites in rustic setting, bathrooms, showers, picnicking, fly fishing, hiking, canoeing, x-country skiing. Alcohol Prohibited. Charge: Camping only. Campground Office: (860) 672-6772 (mid-Apr.-Columbus Day). Park Office: (860) 927-3238. Off-Season Camping thru Dec. 31st.

Humaston Brook State Park 
From Rte. 254 in Northfield take Knife Shop Rd. 0.2 mi. to dam. Park preserves Northfield Pond, once the power source for the Northfield Knife Company formed in 1858 and manufactures of the finest pocketknives in the world. Trail leads to factory ruins and anvil stones. Waterfall in spring and fishing available.

Ivy Mountain State Park 
Goshen. From jct. Rte. 63 and 4, take Rte. 63 north for 0.6 mi., turn right on Ivy Mountain Rd. take for 1.3 mi to the trailhead at the end of the road. Hike to summit to pick wild blueberries in early summer.

John A. Minetto 
6 miles north of Torrington on Rte. 272. Picnicking, fishing, swimming, field sports, hiking, x-country skiing, ice skating. (860) 482-1817. Charge: none.

Kent Falls 
5 miles north of Kent on Rte. 7. One of CT's most scenic parks with a 200 ft. waterfall. A .4 mile path adjacent to the falls offers views at all levels. Picnicking, tables and pedestal grills, hiking, and fishing. Charge: Weekends and Holidays. Park Office: (860) 927-3238.

Lake McDonough 
Rte. 219, Barkhamsted. Row boats to rent mid-April - Labor Day. Weekdays 10-8 weekends 8-8. Swimming: Memorial Day-Labor Day, 10-8. Picnicking, hiking, fishing through Nov. Parking: charge. (860) 379-3036. Operated by the Metropolitan District Commission.

Lake Waramaug 
off Rte. 45, New Preston. Scenically, few bodies of water in CT. can rival the unspoiled beauty of Lake Waramaug. 77 campsites, bathrooms, showers, concession, swimming, scuba diving, picnicking, fishing, field sports, hiking, ice skating, camper nature program, mountain biking. Charge: camping, weekends and holidays. Campground Office: (860) 868-0220 (May 15-Sept. 30). Park Office: (860) 868-2592.

Mohawk 
6 miles west of Goshen off Rte. 4. 260 acre park offers hiking, lookout tower/overlook, x-country skiing, fishing, picnicking and black spruce bog. Privately operated Mohawk Mountain Ski Area (860) 672-6100 located in the park offers groomed down hill skiing on 23 trails. Park Office: (860) 491-3620. Charge: none.

Mount Riga State Park 
Salisbury. At jct. Rte. 44 and 41 in Salisbury, take Rte. 41 3.2 mi. to Under Mountain Trail parking on left. Bear Mountain is the highest summit in CT (2,316) with spectacular views. Follow 1.9 mi. Undermountain Trail to the Appalachian Trail to Bear Mountain or for a more difficult route take Undermountain Trail to Paradise Lane (1st. branch of trail on right) to Appalachian Trail to Bear Mountain. Trails lead past remnants of Northwest Connecticut's Iron Age. An iron forge near Mount Riga was one of the state's first, supposedly casting anchors for Old Ironsides. The trail gains over 1,500 ft in elevation in 2 miles. Views include fields, orchards, Twin Lakes, Sages Ravine, and Mount Everett. The Appalachian Trail provides Ball Brook and Brassie Brook campsites near Undermountain Trail for backpackers.

Mt. Tom 
3 miles west of Bantam off Rte. 202. The stone tower at summit of Mt. Tom 1,325 ft. is a favored destination among hikers. The tower trail is about 1 mile long. Picnicking, swimming, hiking, stocked fishing, boating/non-motor, scuba diving, and ice-skating. Charge: daily. Park Office: (860) 868-2592.

Nepaug State Forest 
New Hartford. From jct. of Rte. 202 and Rte. 44 in Canton take Rte. 202 west 3.1 mi., entrance on right. Nepaug was a chieftain who lived in what is now north Torrington. Unmarked trails lend a feeling of wilderness. Several blue blazed trail loops offer good views. Some trails parallel the Farmington River. Mountain biking. Backpacker campsite at Wildcat Ledges. 

Platt Hill 
1.5 miles south of junction of Rte. 44 and 263in Winchester, left on Platt Hill Rd., 1.5 miles to pa, Winchester, CT 06098. Ideal for family picnics offering one of the finest displays of Mountain Laurel in the state. Picnicking & field sports. Charge: none.

Roxbury Land Trust 
Mine Hill Road, (off Rte. 67) Roxbury, CT 06783. Phone: (860)350-4148. 360-acre Mine Hill Preserve, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the site of a 19th century iron ore mining complex.

Sandy Beach 
Bantam Lake, Morris. 3 miles from Morris center. Take Rte. 109 to East Shore Rd. Large beach, bathhouse, canoe launch, picnicking. 9 am - 7 pm. Memorial - Labor Day. 

Satan's Kingdom 
Farmington River, New Hartford, Rte. 44. This gorge was once the home of a lawless settlement in the 18th century. Hiking on the blue blazed Tunxis Trail, canoe/kayak, tube launch area, tube rentals in season, fishing. Charge: none.

Satan's Kingdom Recreation Area 
off Rte. 44, New Hartford. Direct access to the Farmington River, Connecticut's only National Wild and Scenic River. The Farmington River is shallow but depending on the season offers anything from a bouncy ride to quality white water rapids. Convenient launching spot. Inner tube, canoe and kayak rentals nearby. Hiking on blue blazed Tunxis Trail.

Stillwater Pond State Park 
Torrington. From jct. of Rte. 4 and 272 take Rte. 272 north for 1.4 mi. Serene pond with boat ramp offers good fishing. The mountain to the west of the pond was where famous abolitionist John Brown was born. In 1800 Brown captured the Federal armory at Harper's Ferry in hopes of arming southern slaves. He was tried, convicted and hung becoming a symbol of freedom to Northern abolitionists.