Trip Ideas
Person walking on wooden path through rhododendron sanctuary with pink flowers

Spectacular Sanctuaries

Rhododendron, azaleas and mountain laurel seem to prosper everywhere in Connecticut from mid-June to mid-July, but there are a few special places where the displays will blow you away. Take this day trip to discover them all.

1 day

  • Spring
  • Summer

  • Mountain Laurel Sanctuary
  • Pachaug State Forest
  • Arboretum at Connecticut College
Nipmuck State Forest, Union
Dirt path bordered by blooming mountain laurel shrubs and green trees
Dirt path bordered by blooming mountain laurel shrubs and green trees

Mountain Laurel Sanctuary

Connecticut’s Official State Flower gets its proper due in the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary within Nipmuck State Forest in Union. Here you can take a mile-long hike amidst the laurel, first planted in 1935 by the federal Civilian Conservation Corps.

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Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown
Pink and white flower on branch in forest with person walking on path
Pink and white flower on branch in forest with person walking on path

Pachaug State Forest

Next, it’s on to the Rhododendron Sanctuary located within 27,000-acre Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown. The half-mile trail here runs through growths of enormous rhododendrons, some more than 20-feet high, as well as hemlock and Atlantic white cedar.

Connecticut College Arboretum, New London
White and blue spring flowers blooming in a garden with green leaves
White and blue spring flowers blooming in a garden with green leaves

Arboretum at Connecticut College

If you’ve got time, be sure to stop in as well at The Arboretum at Connecticut College, located on some 750 acres of preserved open space in New London. What was once a farm surrounded by woodlands has been transformed over time into one of Connecticut’s most beautiful natural places – and one where mountain laurel, azaleas and rhododendron are vigorous participants.

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