We've rounded up a list of some wonderful outdoor nature walks and hikes that you can take with the family during any season. Have a favorite spot that's not on our list? We'd love to hear about it and update our Guide!
1. Collis P. Huntington State Park (Redding). Walking, hiking, mountain biking, pond fishing. This 1,017-acre park has fields, dense woodlands and includes five ponds. Plus sculptures of bears and wolves by the late Anna Hyatt Huntington.
2. Tarrywile Park (Danbury). The Park (722 acres), once an active Dairy farm and fruit orchard is now home to 21 miles of hiking trails, 2 ponds, a lake and several picnic areas. Areas that are do-able with younger kids.
3. Putnam Memorial State Park (Redding/Bethel). Rich in history, Putnam Park is not only a great place to explore the outdoors and get in some exercise, but also an education excursion as well. Visit the deserted Israel Putnam Camp Grounds from the Revolution used from 1778-79. Do-able with a durable jogging stroller and younger kids.
4. Saugatuck Falls (Redding; entrance is across from John Read Middle School). Hike to cascading waterfalls from the Saugatuck River. Trail length is .8 of a mile one way (about a 30 min. hike).
5. Kettletown State Park (Southbury). Hiking trails with beautiful views of Lake Zoar on the Housatonic River.
6. Kent Falls State Park (Kent). Enjoy a covered bridge, hike the falls, and feel the mist on your face as water cascades 250' down on its way to joining the Housatonic River.
7. Southford Falls State Park (Southbury). Scenic waterfalls are at the northwest end of the Park on the Eight Mile River. The Larkin Bridle Trail is nearby. Do-able with younger kids.
8. Hidden Valley/Steep Rock (Washington Depot). 700 acres of mixed forest and meadows crisscrossed by nearly 17 miles of trails that offer a variety of terrain for hiking. Wooded hillsides cascade into the River Valley below, creating breathtaking views from the Lookout and Pinnacle.
9. Hemlock Hills (Ridgefield). An intermediate 2.3 mile loop. Beautiful in Spring when everything is in bloom.
10. Still River Greenway (Brookfield). Great for families. Activities allowed on the Greenway: Walking, jogging, bicycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, bird watching, dog walking.
11. White Memorial Conservation Center (Litchfield). 40 miles of trails to explore.
12. Great Hollow Nature Preserve (New Fairfield). A 825-acre preserve and five miles of hiking trails are open to the public year-round.
13. The Pratt Center (New Milford). A 205-acre wildlife preserve. The land is diverse – with a mountain, meadows, woods, wildlife, gardens, farm animals, a stream, a pond, and wetlands.
14. Woodcock Nature Center (Wilton). Located on 149 acres of state-protected land, the Woodcock Nature Preserve includes a pond, wetlands and 3 miles of publicly accessible woodland trails.
15. Lovers Leap State Park (New Milford). A 160-acre walk-in park with hiking trails, scenic vistas and historic ruins.
We welcome all feedback/suggestions on this list! Just email us meghanf@macaronikid.com.
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Macaroni KID Greater Danbury is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Greater Danbury area specifically: Danbury, Bethel, Ridgefield, Brookfield, Newtown, Sandy Hook, Redding, New Fairfield, New Milford, Sherman and Bridgewater, CT. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, event and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more.
