Park/location: Southford Falls State Park, Oxford

Building foundation at the waterfall was a paper mill for the Diamond Match Company, which operated until the Factory was destroyed by fire in 1923. Matches were not made here but, in an early recycling venture, old paper and rags were made into paperboard for the matchbooks and boxes.

Directions:

From I-84: take Exit 16. At both east and west ramps, take a left onto Route 188. Follow to junction with Route 67. At traffic light, take a left onto Route 67. At the next light, take a right back onto Route 188. Southford Falls is a 1/2 mile on the left.

From Route 8 north or south: take Exit 22 onto Route 67 in Seymour. Follow Route 67 north through Oxford. After about 9 miles, take a left at the traffic light at the Junction of Route 188. Southford Falls is approximately a 1/2 mile on the right.

Park/location: Burr Pond State Park, Torrington

In 1851, Milo Burr (for whom the park is named) built a dam to power his sawmills. This created a lake, which attracted additional businesses. In 1856, Gail Borden, Jr. rented factory space from Milo Burr so he could produce his new invention - condensed milk.

Directions:

Off Route 8 North: Exit 46. At end of the ramp, take a left onto Pinewoods Road. At the first stop sign go left onto Winsted Road. Follow Winsted Road for approximately 1 mile and take a right at the blinking yellow light (turn is marked with a park sign). The park is 1 mile on the left.

Park/location: Fort Trumbull State Park, New London

Ft Trumbull, named for former Governor Jonathan Trumbull who served as governor from 1769-1784. Three forts have been located at this site, the current fort being completed in 1850 as part of the Third System of Coastal Defense facilities. Fort Trumbull has dates back to the Revolutionary War and, over the year has housed the Revenue Cutter Service (forerunner to the US Coast Guard), the US Coast Guard Academy, and just prior to its closing in 1998, the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Directions:

Northbound on I-95 Take Exit 83 (Downtown New London). Go straight at light onto Huntington Street. Take right onto Jay Street. Go straight onto Truman Street, then left onto Blinman Street. Follow Blinman Street to Howard Street and go straight onto Howard Street. Then make left onto Walbach Street and right onto East Street. Park entrance is on the left.

Southbound on I-95 Take Exit 84S (Downtown New London). Merge onto Eugene O'Neill Drive. Follow Eugene O'Neill Drive and take left onto Tilley Street. Make right onto Bank Street and then left onto Howard Street. Follow Howard Street and make left onto Walbach Street, then right onto East Street. Park entrance is on the left.

Park/location: Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill

Hundred of tracks of the Dilophosaurus, the first large carnivorous dinosaur in the Jurassic Period, are located here.

Directions:

Exit 23 off I-91 in Rocky Hill. Follow parks signs east on West Street for approximately 1 mile. The park is directly off West Street. Watch for signs and a large geodesic dome.

Park/location: Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown

At 24,000 acres, Pachaug State Forest is the largest forest in Connecticut covering six towns in eastern Connecticut. The forest has numerous hiking trails and a Rhododendron Sanctuary that is a "must see" in the spring when it is in full bloom.

Directions:

Take Route 138 into Voluntown and turn north in Rout 49 to the Forest Headquarters.

Park/location: Shenipsit State Forest, West Stafford

The Civilian Conservation Corps (Roosevelt’s Tree Army), a wartime relief program was responsible for the construction of many facilities within the Connecticut State Parks and Forests.

Directions:

Off of Route 190 in West Stafford

Park/location: Minnie Island State Park, Salem/Montville

At .859 aces, Minnie Island is the smallest State Park in the state. It is located in Gardner Lake in southeastern Connecticut. Split by the Salem/Montville town line, it escaped mention (and taxation) in the land records of both towns until 1925 when a Public Act made the island a State Park.

Directions: Water Access Only.

Park/location: Osbornedale State Park, Derby

Frances Osborne Kellogg, a pioneer woman entrepreneur, raise prized Holstein cattle at her Derby farm. Serving as a Vice President of the CT Forest and Park Association, she willed her farm to the State of Connecticut. The Kellogg Environmental Education center is located at this park.

Directions:

From Route 8 south: take Exit 17. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp. Take another left at the lighted intersection (Division Street). Drive approximately 3/4 miles. Osbornedale State Park will be on the right across from Derby High School.

From Route 8 north: take Exit 18. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp. Drive approximately 1/2 mile. Osbornedale State Park will be on the right across from the Derby High School.

Park/location: Putnam Memorial State Park, Redding

This was the site of the Continental Army’s 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam.

Directions:

Off I-95: take Exit 17. Take Route 136 north for 9 miles, at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 58; take Route 58 north drive 8.8 miles. Putnam Memorial is at the intersection of Route 107 and Route 58.

Off the Merritt Parkway: take Exit 42. Take Route 136 north for 5.2 miles, at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 58; take Route 58 north drive 8.8 miles. Putnam Memorial is at the intersection of Route 107 and Route 58.

From the West: off I-84, take Exit 5. Take Route 53 south for 3.4 miles, at Route 53 and Route 302 follow Route 302 east for 1.6 miles. At the intersection of Route 58 and Route 302, follow Route 58 south for 2.8 miles. Putnam Memorial is at the intersection of Route 58 and Route 107.

Park/location: Talcott Mountain State Park (Heublein Tower), Simsbury

The Heublein Tower, the hilltop summer home of Gilbert Heublein, owner of a successful restaurant and hotel in Hartford, was purchased by the Hartford Times Newspaper upon Heublein's death in 1937. In May of 1950, General Dwight D. Eisenhower attended a party at the tower. According to legend, it was here that Eisenhower's supporters convinced him to run for the highest office in the land. A prominent guest at Ike's party was Prescott Bush - the father of one President and Grandfather of another.

Directions:

From I-91 North or South: take Exit 35B, which is the Bloomfield Route 218 exit. This road is also known as Cottage Grove Road. Follow Cottage Grove Road heading west until you hit Route 185. Follow Route 185 heading for Simsbury. At the top of the hill, the entrance to Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower will be on your left.

From I-84 East or West: take the Route 44 Exit. Follow Route 44 heading west until you hit the junction of Routes 10 and 202 in the town of Avon. Follow Route 10 north until you hit Route 185 in Simsbury. Follow Route 185 heading for Bloomfield. At the top of the hill, Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower is on your right.

Park/location: Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford

The Harkness Estate, "Eolia," was named by Edward and Mary Stillman Harkness after the mythical Island of Eolia, home of Eolius, the wind God in The Odyssey of Homer.

Directions:

Take Route 2 south to Colchester. Route 85 south to New London, take a right onto Boston Post Road (Route 1), and then take a left onto Ocean Ave. Right onto Niles Hill Road. Left onto Dimmock Road.

From Hartford area: take Route 91 southbound onto Route 9 south. It will merge with Route 95, go northbound on Route 95, take Exit 75. Bear right at the end of the exit, you will be on Route 1. Proceed 3 miles to the light at Avery Lane (Route 213), turn right and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.

From Boston and Providence areas: take Route 95 southbound to Exit 81. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto access road and proceed to stop light. At the light take a left onto Cross Road and continue to the intersection with Route 1. Turn left onto Route 1 and continue to the traffic light at Avery Lane (Route 213). Turn right onto Avery Lane and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.

From New York and New Haven areas: take Route 95 northbound, Exit 75. Bear right at the end of the exit, you will be on Route 1. Proceed 3 miles to the light at Avery Lane (Route 213), turn right and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.

Park/location: Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme

The fish mill plant was razed in 1933 with help from the CCC’s. A new stone pavilion was built on the hill above the location of the former plant by the Works Progress Administration, another Depression-era relief program. The pillars in this majestic pavilion were trees harvested from Connecticut state forests.

Directions:

Exit 72 off I-95: Follow the turnpike connector south to Route 156. Turn left and take Route 156 east for 1/4 mile to the park. The park street address is 244 West Main Street (Route 156).

Park/location: Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park

The site of the 1781 massacre led by the traitorous Benedict Arnold.

Directions:

Off I-91: take Exit 22. Take Route 9S to the end. Take I-95N to Groton, take the second exit after the Gold Star Bridge (over the Thames River) onto the Clarence B. Sharp Highway. Follow signs to Fort Griswold.

Park/location: Sherwood Island State Park, Westport

As their first official act, the Connecticut State Park Commission purchased 5 acres of shorefront property in Westport and established the state’s first state park. Today, Sherwood Island has grown to 234 acres, has a 1/2 mile of public beach and is the site of Connecticut's 9-11 Living Memorial.

Directions:

From I-95 north and south: take Exit 18 to access the Sherwood Island Connector. Follow the Connector directly into the park.

From Route 1 north and south: take the Sherwood Island Connector in Westport. Proceed past the I-95 entrance/exit ramps directly into the park.

From Route 15 northbound: take Exit 41 and proceed south on Route 33 to Route 1. Follow Route 1 north to the Sherwood Island Connector in Westport.

From Route 15 southbound: take Exit 42 and follow Route 57 south. Go left onto Route 33. Proceed south on Route 33 to Route 1. Follow Route 1 north to the Sherwood Island Connector in Westport.

Park/location: Squantz Pond State Park, New Fairfield

Squantz Pond is a major State Park on the shores of Candlewood Lake, an enormous lake that measures over ten (10) square miles in area and has 72 miles of shoreline.

Directions:

From the West/New York area: take I-684 onto I-84 east toward Danbury. Take Exit 5 and go left at the traffic light onto Route 39 north, following the signs to Squantz Pond. The park is located off Route 39 approximately 4 1/2 miles north of the center of New Fairfield.

From East on I-84: take Exit 6 in Danbury. Take a right at the traffic light onto Route 37. Follow the signs on Route 37 until you arrive in New Fairfield Center. Take a right at the traffic light onto Route 39 traveling north for approximately 4 1/2 miles to the park entrance.

From lower Fairfield County area: go north on Route 7 onto I-84 east to Danbury. Take Exit 5 and go left at the traffic light onto Route 39 north, following the signs to Squantz Pond. The park is located off Route 39 approximately 4 1/2 miles north of the center of New Fairfield.

From Bridgeport area: go north onto Route 25 onto I-84 west. Take Exit 5 and go left at the traffic light onto Route 39 north, following the signs to Squantz Pond. The park is located off Route 39 approximately 4 1/2 miles north of the center of New Fairfield.

Park/location: West Rock Ridge State Park

The Wilbur Cross Highway (Route15) tunnels under West Rock Ridge State Park from east to west. Those driving through the tunnel can claim that they have seen West Rock Ridge from one end to the other.

Directions:

Off the Merritt Parkway (Route 15): take Exit 60. Turn right off the exit ramp onto Dixwell Avenue/Route 10 South. Take a right at the next light onto Benham Street. Follow Benham Street to the end. Turn left onto Main Street. At a sharp left, turn right into the parking lot for the Lake Wintergreen area. For main entrance: continue down Main Street to the end. Take a right onto Wintergreen Avenue. Go under the parkway. The main park entrance will be on the right. If the gate is closed (see "Hours" information), park at West Rock Nature Center across the street.

Park/location: Lake Waramaug, Kent

This 98-acre park is located on Lake Waramaug. The long and calm waters of Lake Waramaug make it an ideal location for rowing regattas. The park has hosted the Connecticut Public School Rowing Association Regatta, the Women's National Rowing Regatta and the Gunnery Regatta.

Directions:

From New Milford: follow Route 202 to New Preston. Turn left onto Route 45. Take a left onto North Shore Road and follow the signs around the lake to the park.

From Torrington/Litchfield: follow Route 118 to Litchfield. At the intersection of Routes 118 and 202 in Litchfield bear left onto Route 202. Follow Route 202 to New Preston. Take a right onto Route 45 and then a left onto North Shore Road. Continue around the lake to the park.

Park/location: Sleeping Giant, Hamden

The park was named Sleeping Giant because the profile of the mountain which comprises the park looks like a very large man snoozing in the sunlight.

Directions:

From I-91: take Exit 10. Then get onto Route 40 connector and stay on until the end. At the light, take a right onto Route 10N drive 1 1/2 miles then take a right onto MT Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From Wilbur Cross Parkway: take Exit 61. Go north onto Whitney Avenue for 3 miles and take a right onto MT. Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From I-84 to Cheshire: take Route 70S onto Route 10 south drive 5 miles. Then take a left at the light onto MT. Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

Park/location: Gillette Castle State Park, Hadlyme

The castle was the quirky hilltop home of William Gillette who portrayed Sherlock Holmes an estimated 1300 times on stage over a 33-year period. It was William Gillette that added the deerstalker hat and pipe to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective.

Directions:

From I-91S: take Exit 22. Route 9S, Exit 7, for a bridge crossing of the Connecticut River. Follow route 82E and park signs.

From I-95N or S: take Exit 69. Route 9N to Exit 6 or 7. For the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, use Exit 6. Follow Route 148 and park signs. The ferry operates spring through fall.

Park/location: Kent Falls State Park, Kent

The cascading waterfall drops 250 feet in the distance of a quarter mile. Winter melt and spring flows over the falls are spectacular.

Directions:

From the North - Pittsfield and Great Barrington, MA areas: travel south on Route 7 into Kent, CT. The park is located along Route 7 approximately 3 miles south of the intersection with Route 45, and approximately 4.5 miles north of the village of Kent.

From the South - Greater Danbury area: travel north on Route 7 into Kent, CT. The park is located approximately 4.5 miles north of the village of Kent.

From the East - Hartford area: travel west on I-84, take Exit 39. Continue west along Route 4 to the intersection with Route 118 in Harwinton. Drive west along Route 118 to the intersection with Route 202 in Litchfield. Turn left onto Route 202 and travel west for about 7 miles to the intersection with Route 341. Turn right onto Route 341 and travel to the intersection with Route 7 in Kent, CT. Turn right (north) onto Route 7 and the park will be located approximately 4.5 miles ahead along Route 7.

Park/location: Air Line State Park Trail, East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Lebanon, Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson

The name "Air Line" was derived from Boston and New York Air Line Railroad, which ignored topography and took a line as if drawn through the air: the route "as the crow flies."

Directions: Numerous locations in each town.

Park/location: Beckley Furnace State Park, East Canaan

Iron was discovered in the northwest corner of the state in 1731 resulting in the development of numerous forges and mines in the area. Beckley Furnace was built in 1847, toward the end of the region's Iron Age. The centerpiece of the park is the forge, with its 40-foot tall smokestack, where workers heated and cast iron. The region was said to have produced over 75 percent of the Patriot cannon used in the Revolutionary War. The iron foundries also produced cannon balls and railroad car wheels.

Directions:

From the junction of Route 7 and Route 44 in the village of Canaan, follow Route 44 east 2.3 miles and turn right on Lower Road. Follow Lower Road 0.5 miles and turn left into the park.

Park/location: Connecticut Antique Machinery Association (CAMA), Kent

The CT Antique Machinery site is owned by CT State Parks and is operated by The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association and is a non-profit museum dedicated to the preservation, restoration and demonstration of antique machinery from our rich industrial and agricultural past. CAMA is an all-volunteer organization. CAMA"s main focus is to educate the general public as to early industrial and agricultural methods. The museum currently has seven main areas of focus with exhibits relating to each area.

The last weekend in September each year, CAMA hosts its Fall Festival where all of the antique steam engines and machinery is fully operational.

Directions:

Take Route 7 north out of the center of Kent. CAMA will be on your left.

Park/location: Black Rock State Park, Thomaston

Prior to becoming a state park, the swimming pond was used by the Waterbury Ice and Coal Company to cut ice prior to the days of refrigeration.

Directions:

From Route 8 north: take Exit 38. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp to first traffic light. Turn left at traffic light onto US Route 6 west. Park entrance is a 1/2 mile on the right on US Route 6.

From Route 8 south: take Exit 38. Go straight ahead at the end of the exit ramp to US Route 6 west. Park entrance is on the right.

Park/location: Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park, Essex

The park is the former right-of-way of the Hartford and Connecticut Valley Railroad which began service here in 1871. The train brought passengers along the Connecticut River for a distance of 44 miles, connecting Hartford and Old Saybrook. The CT DEP leases the property to Valley Railroad. Valley Railroad takes passengers on a scenic ride from Essex to Chester. Passengers can then board a boat for a trip on the Connecticut River.

Directions:

From the junction of Route 154 and Route 9 in Essex (Exit 3), go north on Route 154 for 0.1 mile to the train station.