Stretching across four towns, this long and narrow state park trail combines enough remarkable history, geography, and aesthetics to rate its 110 acres as one of the biggest and prettiest parks in Connecticut’s system. Originally designated as a trail for horses, for which it is still popular, Larkin’s ten miles now also serve walkers, joggers, bikers, and hikers. A 10-mile linear trail passes through Middlebury, Southbury, Naugatuck, and Oxford. Although the railway is silent and the tracks are gone, the Larkin Trail, as it was historically, is open to a variety of users. Though summer finds

The Valley Railroad Company leases the linear state park from the State of Connecticut and offers the visitor a 19th-century railroad experience including an 1892 railroad station, steam locomotives, and vintage trains of historic cars. Here you can travel back in time on more than 12 miles of rails departing to the north out of Essex Station and continuing up the historic Connecticut River Valley. Train excursions operated by the Valley Railroad Company Visitors can choose from a variety of train and combination train and riverboat excursions up the river valley. For details, visit the Essex

The 15,300 acres of Centennial Watershed State Forest offer diverse opportunities for hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and birding. Multiple access points in Easton, Newtown, Redding, and Weston. To be on Centennial Watershed State Forest, you must have a valid permit . A hiking permit allows access to 17 miles of scenic trails. A fishing permit provides access to freshwater fishing at Saugatuck, West Pequonnock, and Far Mill reservoirs in Weston, Redding, Monroe, and Shelton. A hunting permit provides access to archery and shotgun deer hunting. Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross

Change has been the constant throughout the 100-year history of this piece of countryside. Where once a shared landscape of farmland and woodland dominated, a campus of higher education overtook them and ruled the property for nine decades. But it too, like the farms and fields before it, lapsed into disuse allowing the woodland to reassert itself and provide us with the landscape we enjoy today. Activities include hiking.

Bennett's Pond State Park was once the home of Louis D. Conley, a successful manufacturer, and nurseryman, whose estate of more than 1,500 acres was one of the largest in Ridgefield. Today the park’s 460 acres are just a portion of 1,800 contiguous acres of open space in both Ridgefield and Danbury. Activities include bicycling, hiking, hunting (fall archery for deer only), and fishing.

A 40-acre parcel in Bloomfield was donated to the state park system and will forever be linked to the legacy of Beatrice Fox Auerbach (1887-1968), a Hartford philanthropic native who was prominent in the civic, educational, and cultural life of the city. This portion of her Bloomfield farmland was presented as a gift to the people of Connecticut. Activities include hiking and picnicking.

Immerse yourself in George Dudley Seymour’s personal dream of large-scale land protection. Mr. Seymour and his foundation contributed to the protection of eight state parks and one state forest. This park, which bears his name, protects a valuable mile of Connecticut River frontage and a significant grassland habitat along the river. Activities include bird watching, hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, and fishing. A trail leading from the end of Clarkhurst Road leads past old foundations to a broad, grassy, Connecticut River tidal flat. Interpretive signs assist the visitor in the

This tiny park has shoreline appeal for those who want to try their hand at fishing or crabbing. The handicap-accessible boardwalk provides the perfect spot to cast or drop a line.

The Farmington Canal State Park Trail in Cheshire and Hamden forms a portion of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail which traverses Connecticut, north to south, from Suffield to New Haven. The State Park Trail follows the path of the Farmington Canal which served the area from 1828 to 1847. The Farmington Canal State Park Trail is divided into two parts. The multi-use trail is 5.5 miles long and extends from Cornwall Street in Cheshire south to Todd Street in Hamden. The Canal Trail is an entity unto itself and not part of the local road system, but users should be aware of the numerous road

The Southington Drive-In is one of only three remaining outdoor venues in the state. Originally, the facility opened in 1955 as a for-profit business and featured movies for nearly half a century before closing in 2002. In 2004, Southington residents voted to purchase the property to expand nearby Recreation Park and enjoy continued outdoor activities at the nostalgic site. Gates open at 6 p.m. Movies begin at dark. $12 a carload for Southington residents; $18 a carload for non-residents. Walk-ins are $3 each. Cash only. No alcohol or dogs are allowed. Food trucks, including ice cream, are