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BEST RATED WATERBURY, CT HIKING TRAILS

3 Best Hiking Trails in Waterbury, CT

Expert-recommended Top 3 Hiking Trails in Waterbury, Connecticut. All of our hiking trails actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Southford Falls State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Southford Falls State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Southford Falls State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails in Waterbury CT - Southford Falls State Park video
9+ YEARS IN TBR
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SOUTHFORD FALLS STATE PARK

(4.8 Score)
175 Quaker Farms Road, Southbury,
Waterbury, CT 06488 Directions

Since 1932

Specialty:

✓ Hiking ✓ Nature Trails ✓ Restroom ✓ Picnic Tables ✓ Photography ✓ Ice Skating ✓ Fishing ✓ Grill ✓ Play Frisbee ✓ Waterfalls ✓ Walking Paths ✓ Picnicking ✓ Field Sports ✓ Cross Country Skiing ✓ Sledding ✓ Kid-friendly Hikes ✓ Dog-Friendly ✓ Camping ✓ Barbecue Grill ✓ Historic Sites ✓ Horseback Riding

"Southford Falls State Park covers over 169 acres and offers a total trail length of 1.7 miles, making it generally considered an easy trail to traverse. The trail is located 10.8 miles from Waterbury. The trail features an elevation gain of 252 feet and follows a loop type. Visitors can expect to spend around 45 minutes completing the trail. The trail offers breathtaking views of waterfalls along the Eight Mile River near the northwest corner. This nature space offers beautiful scenery with several designated eating areas. Additionally, Southford Falls State Park features many walking trails equipped with picnic tables and fire pits for cooking, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

2026 Update: Southford Falls State Park allows pets if they are kept on a leash and provides parking and picnic table facilities. Entry is free. It is part of a network of Connecticut State Parks offering more than 1,400 campsites, including rustic cabins. Visitors can choose from different camping options such as traditional campsites, backpacking sites, lean-tos, riverside areas accessible by boat, and horse-friendly sites. The park features a variety of natural settings, including woodlands, beaches, lakes, and islands, making it suitable for hiking and outdoor activities."

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Contact:

(203) 264-5169 (203) 262-6767

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Black Rock State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Black Rock State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Black Rock State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails in Waterbury CT - Black Rock State Park video
7+ YEARS IN TBR
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BLACK ROCK STATE PARK

(4.8 Score)
2065 Thomaston Road, Watertown,
Waterbury, CT 06795 Directions

Since 1926

Specialty:

✓ Hiking ✓ Nature and Ample Trails ✓ Picnicking ✓ Swimming ✓ Field Sports ✓ Camping ✓ Stream Fishing ✓ Walking ✓ Beach ✓ Picnics ✓ Kid-friendly hikes ✓ Dog-friendly

"Black Rock State Park covers over 444 acres and offers a scenic view of the Naugatuck Valley, highlighting Black Rock. The trail is located 7.7 miles from Waterbury. This is a perfect place for enjoying various recreational activities. Visitors can also enjoy lovely swimming, hiking, breathtaking views, and Indian legends, all while nestled in the gorgeous rolling hills of the Western Highlands. During the trail, visitors can have the beautiful scenery of the Western Highlands while hiking the blue-blazed Mattatuck Trail. The trail also ensures various facilities, including a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, picnic tables, public restrooms, a barbecue grill, kid-friendly hikes, and designated pet areas for visitors' comfort.

2026 Update: The Black Rock State Campground includes 78 campsites in both wooded and open areas, along with four rustic cabins located near the beach, fishing pond, recreation field, and hiking trails. The site provides ADA access and has bathhouses with hot showers, dishwashing areas, and safe drinking water facilities, supporting visitors during camping and outdoor activities. Bus permits are required for mid-size and full-size buses that seat 30 or more passengers."

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Price:

30 RV Tent Sites Daily Rate
Resident $17
Non-Resident $27
Four Rustic Cabins Daily Rate
Resident $50
Non-Resident $60
Free – In-State Registered Vehicles
Out-Of-State Vehicles
Weekends Holidays $15
Weekdays $10
Season Pass $112

Contact:

(860) 283-8088

Mon-Sun: 8am - 8pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Burr Pond State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Burr Pond State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Burr Pond State Park - Waterbury, CT Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails in Waterbury CT - Burr Pond State Park video
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BURR POND STATE PARK

(4.8 Score)
385 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington,
Waterbury, CT 06790 Directions

Since 1949

Specialty:

✓ Walking ✓ Hiking Trails ✓ Breathtaking Views ✓ Fishing ✓ Beautiful Scenery ✓ Biking ✓ Boating ✓ Picnicking ✓ Swimming ✓ Kid-friendly Hikes ✓ Dog Friendly ✓Barbecue grill

"Burr Pond State Park is a 438-acre, elegant destination to have an enjoyable time with family and friends. The trail is located 19.7 miles from Waterbury. This is a 3.0-mile out-and-back trail, with an elevation gain of 328 feet. This is generally considered a moderately challenging route that takes approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes to complete the entire trail. This natural space is a perfect place for experiencing a diverse array of recreational activities. Visitors can also enjoy swimming and boating activities. The trail also features various amenities, including public restrooms, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and kid-friendly hikes, ensuring the convenience of the visitors. Burr Pond State Park has a designated space for pets.

2026 Update: The pond is accessible even during winter and is used for ice fishing. It contains fish such as perch, bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and other panfish. The area is suitable for fishing and outdoor visits, including family outings. Visitors can bring a picnic or use the nearby snack stand for food. A picnic shelter is also available for reservation for larger groups."

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Price:

Out-Of-State Vehicles
Weekends holidays $15
Weekdays $10
Season Pass $112

Contact:

(860) 482-1817

Open 24 Hours

TBR® Inspection Report:

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SOUTHFORD FALLS STATE PARK REVIEWS

This cool state park was in my visit list for this year and it didn't disappoint. 1st there's no fee to enter or park. Water fall is a very short walk from parking area. You'll find multiple trails and walking paths. You can walk along the fall and scream as it goes down and get different amazing views. There's even a covered bridge. Place and clean and very peaceful so an ideal place for a nice picnic with friends and family. It's feels like a hidden gem in this state and I'm glad I found it. If you have the time this summer definitely visit its worth the trip.

The truth is I am very excited about this park, it is really attractive and very large, its waterfall is beautiful and its branches of water that move through its course creating beautiful attractions, its lake is also beautiful and some people are fishing, it has many trails with vegetation that delight the sight and the sound of the birds, they also have a bridge in a way that offers the public the ability to cross the river and it is also convenient to cover from the rain.

This is a must! Southford Falls is simply a staple of CT waterfall destinations, and it has the personality of a small town park to go along with an outstanding cascade of falls. Definitely come here!

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BLACK ROCK STATE PARK REVIEWS

I enjoyed this trip very much, the staff was so nice and it was a beautiful place (btw if you can, DEFINITELY camp here, fish here, and hike here. Such a good place to be. Can’t wait to come back!

My husband and our family camped there for several days. It was so peaceful and clean. Guard booth is occupied for safety. The grills and restrooms were clean. Wonderful park and campground.

Beautiful campground! Very quiet and peaceful during the week. Park and grounds are very well maintained and cleaned! Lake is very small but gorgeous! Field is amazing spot to stargaze!

BURR POND STATE PARK REVIEWS

The park is beautiful. The swimming area is excellent and clean. If you want a picnic table or shaded space, it's first come first served. During the summer it gets quite busy. The hiking trails are also really nice and well-kept. The hiking is on the easier side. The trails are well marked and kept relatively clear. There are some muddy spots. Dogs are allowed as long as they're leashed.

We've been here in the past to hike the 3 mole loop around the pond. And in the summer, we've paddleboarded here. Many people use this place for picnics in the summer so the parking can fill up. 2.2.25 we attended the winter fest here. What a great place to ice fish, etc.

Loved the serene beauty and a big space for the kids to play around. Kids loved the beach and big rocks to climb on, and a mega big chair!!! Parking is free for Connecticut residents with CT license Plate.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

SOUTHFORD FALLS STATE PARK Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Social Media: 8
Reviews Accuracy of 1.3K: 9
Reviews Study: 9
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Specialization: 10
Video: 10
Website Source: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

BLACK ROCK STATE PARK Total Inspection Points: 115/120
Social Media: 8
Exact Services: 9
Reviews Accuracy of 1.5K: 9
Reviews Study: 9
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Experience: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Specialization: 10
Website Source: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

BURR POND STATE PARK Total Inspection Points: 114/120
Reviews Study: 8
Social Media: 8
Exact Services: 9
Reviews Accuracy of 1.2K: 9
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Experience: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Specialization: 10
Website Source: 10