Wadsworth Falls State Park

Route 7

721 Wadsworth Street

Middlefield

860-663-2030 c/o Chatfield Hollow State Park

Hours:

8:00 a.m. – sunset

Parking Fee:

Weekdays: in-state $5; out-of-state $7
Weekends/ Holidays: in-state $7; out-of-state $10

Directions:

From Hartford area: take I-91 south onto Route 9 south. Follow Route 9 south to Middletown. Take Middletown - Meriden Exit 15 onto Route 66. Stay on Route 66 through Middletown for 6-7 traffic lights - look for the signs Wadsworth Falls State Park and Route 157 at a traffic light near a Walgreen's Pharmacy. Take a left onto Route 157. Stay on Route 157. Wadsworth Falls State Park will be on the left.

From New Haven area: take I-91 north onto Route 66 (Middletown - Meriden Exit 15). Follow Route 66 towards Middletown. Look for the signs Wadsworth Falls State Park and Route 157 on the right. Follow Route 157 to Wadsworth Falls State Park.

From Westbrook/Shoreline areas: take Route 9 north onto Route 66 (Middletown - Meriden Exit 15). Follow Route 66 through Middletown for 6-7 traffic lights. Take Route 157 off Route 66 near a Walgreen's Pharmacy. Stay on Route 157 to Wadsworth Falls State Park.

Wadsworth Falls State Park

Wadsworth Falls State Park

Rich with an industrial history, Wadsworth Falls State Park features both man-made and natural beauty in south-central Connecticut. The park's centerpiece, the spectacular waterfall located at the property's southern end, was engineered from the Coginchaug River by early settlers in order to power waterwheels for everything from cut-nail factories to textile mills. Some of the buildings' ruins are still visible today. Perhaps the most famous park inhabitant was Simeon North, an early pioneer in manufacturing interchangeable parts, who built his pistol factory on the site in the early 19th century. He helped revolutionize manufacturing methods and had a hand in transforming Connecticut from an agricultural to a manufacturing society. Other man-made park attractions include a swimming pond that was created by modifying an existing excavation. Nozzles in the sides shoot water into the pond from a number of wells, sometimes creating a swirling effect. Park visitors can walk along well-marked and maintained trails, nice for family outings. Some consider this a walker's park with miles of trails exploring every corner of it. The cool river offers pleasant stream fishing, while the peaceful environment affords a pleasant backdrop for a relaxing picnic.

Activities

• Biking
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Picnicking
• Scenic Vistas
• Swimming

Photos courtesy of Doug Hockman Photography, hockmanphotos.com