Waterfalls in the Naugatuck Valley

At least six or seven falls make up Spruce Brook Falls in the Naugatuck State Forest, including a towering 40-foot plunge on a nearby tributary. At the base of the main falls, rushing water drops 15 feet to the rocks below, causing white foam to swirl around like a bubble bath. There are rust-colored pools, cascades above and below, and further downstream a petite waterslide and swirling eddy. Further up the trail lie more falls, tumbling over an egg-shaped boulder in the center of the brook, with a large variety of plant life adding color and texture to the area. Without a doubt, Spruce Brook Falls are some of the most beautiful in Connecticut, carving their way through one of the prettiest ravines in all New England. (NOTE: portions of the journey are challenging. If you do reach the ledgy viewpoint directly in front of the upper falls, look for a geocache container in the gorge walls to your left to register your name and maybe leave a message for future visitors.)

If you're looking for one of the more overlooked natural spots in the greater Waterbury area, Hancock Brook Cascades is worth a visit. Despite being within the city limits, it feels surprisingly secluded once you're on the trail. Rather than a single dramatic waterfall, it's a series of rocky cascades where Hancock Brook tumbles over ledges and boulders. Highlights include a chain of small cascades along Hancock Brook, a picturesque tributary waterfall with about a 30-foot total drop, and moss-covered rocks and wooded scenery that make it especially photogenic after recent rainfall. Steep climbs and loose rocks make good footwear a must.

Mad River Cascades in Wolcott is a scenic stretch of the Mad River within or adjacent to Peterson Memorial Park, where the water tumbles over a series of rock ledges rather than plunging over a single dramatic waterfall – more accurately described as a collection of rapids and cascades winding through a wooded ravine. Two rustic pedestrian bridges, including one with a hand-built, almost fairy-tale appearance make many visitors compare it to something from The Hobbit. The walk from the parking area is only about 0.3 to 0.5 mile, making it one of the easier waterfall hikes in central Connecticut.

If you’re looking for easy access and excellent photo ops, Naugatuck Falls in Seymour is definitely worth a brief visit. This small but attractive waterfall on the Naugatuck River is unusual because it's located in a well-designed riverside park directly beneath Route 8, where a historic dam and a modern fish bypass coexist with the natural waterfall. Unlike many waterfalls that require hiking, this one is almost effortless to visit – the viewing platform sits close enough to the river that you can hear the rushing water and snap beautiful pics. And it’s less than a 2-minute walk from the parking area and wheelchair-accessible via a paved path and observation platform.

Upon viewing Southford Falls in Oxford for the first time, you might think they are artificial. But on closer inspection, you realize that the cascades and small plunges below the uppermost falls are completely natural. Despite the presence of a dam on a major part of the falls, Southford Falls has proven to be a welcome haven for all visitors. Southford Falls State Park itself offers plenty of picnic tables with scenic views, a riverside boardwalk, a covered bridge, a lookout tower, and miles of hiking and walking trails. Southford Falls State Park is conveniently accessible from I-84 and Route 8, making it an easy day trip from New Haven, Waterbury, and other parts of western Connecticut.