No Child Left Inside

Sleeping Giant
Castle

Sleeping Giant State Park

200 Mount Carmel Avenue

Hamden, CT

(203) 789-7498

Park Hours:

Daily 8:00 a.m. - Sunset

Park Admission:

Parking fee (weekends): in-state $7; out-of-state $10

Directions:

From I-91: Take exit 10 and travel on the Route 40 connector until the end. At the light, take a right onto Route 10 north and drive 1.5 miles. Take a right onto Mount Carmel Avenue and the park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From Wilbur Cross Parkway: Take exit 61 and travel north onto Whitney Avenue for 3 mile. Take a right onto Mount Carmel Avenue and the park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From I-84 to Cheshire: Take Route 70 south onto Route 10 south and drive 5 miles. Take a left at the light onto Mount Carmel Avenue and the park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

Sleeping Giant State Park

Sleeping Giant State Park

Two miles of mountaintop in the south central Connecticut skyline bear an uncanny resemblance to a large man lying in repose, thus giving Sleeping Giant State Park its descriptive name. Formed by the Wisconsin Glacier approximately 15,000 years ago, the park spans 1,439 acres and offers over 30 miles of trails. The park was originally quarried in its western corner but activity stopped in the 1920's and the area was protected. Now a popular destination for hiking, this park includes a 1.5-mile scenic trail leading to the peak of the 739-foot high Mount Carmel, which houses a Norman-style observation tower built in 1939 as part of a Works Project Administration project. Views of the New Haven skyline and Long Island Sound fill the impressive vistas. The park also offers fabulous picnic areas, with a pavilion partially enclosed by a stone wall housing eight tables, two grills and two working fireplaces. Additional attractions include a youth group camping site, and wonderful stream fishing.

RECOMMENDED HIKE FOR TEAMS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN– Your best bet for little ones to reach the top of the mountain is The Tower Trail. This is a 1.6 mile road trail that can accommodate strollers and offers an easy hike to the top. Be sure to bring along a water bottle and pack a picnic lunch!

Activities

  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Lookout Tower
  • Nature Trail
  • Picnicking
  • Scenic Vista
  • Youth Group Camping