Southford Falls State Park
waterfall, covered bridge, boardwalk, and a tower!
How long is the walk?
The 1.7 mile loop is relatively flat, with a few rocky climbs. It was a bit rocky and muddy at times, but our 3- and 5-year-olds walked it without any trouble; it's a perfect length for small kiddos.
Some notes:
We visited on a warm-ish winter Saturday - the parking lot was half-full when we arrived, and packed by the time we left, so aim to go earlier in the day. We met a number of people on the trail, but it never felt crowded.
We took the trail counterclockwise, beginning by exploring the waterfall and the covered bridge. The trail then heads into the woods, following the river. A boardwalk crosses a marshy area and is great for running! We spent a long time exploring this first section of trail, and it could be a complete outing if you want a shorter walk. Continue on, though, because halfway around the loop, there is a turnoff to a fire tower, which offers views across the valley. There are also great rocks and fallen logs for climbing. We ended our hike crossing a little bridge above the waterfall - a perfect spot for playing poohsticks.
In warmer weather, this park would be fun for a picnic, fishing, and poking about the lake and brook. In autumn, I’d love to climb the fire tower for foliage views!
More Information:
Southford Falls State Park website
AllTrails: Southford Falls Red Trail - Connecticut
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Email: rholcombe@commongroundct.org
Website: commongroundct.org
Location: 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven, CT, United States
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