Sleeping Giant State Park, a Connecticut State Park located nearby Ansonia, Berlin and Branford

SLEEPING GIANT STATE PARK

SLEEPING GIANT STATE PARK
200 Mount Carmel Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06518

Phone: 203-789-7498
Toll Free: 866-287-2757
Email:

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Sleeping Giant State Park '
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

A majestic cliff is seen as you hike from the main entrance towards the tower.

Sleeping Giant State Park
'From the Window'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

A view from the massive four-story stone observation lookout tower atop Mount Carmel.

Sleeping Giant State Park
'The Rocky side of the Mountain'
© All image copyright Karol Livote. All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying or use is strictly prohibited.

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Sleeping Giant State Park
'Spotting the Wildlife'
© All image copyright Karol Livote. All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying or use is strictly prohibited.

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Sleeping Giant State Park
'Inside Tower'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

This photo was taken on the first floor of the Tower. You can picnic on the table but I think use of the fireplace is prohibited.

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Lookout Tower'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

This is the Lookout Tower atop Mount Carmel.

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Three arches with fall foliage'
© c Angela Hansen Photography

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A view from the tower at the top of Sleeping Giant

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Autumn Foliage'
© c Angela Hansen Photography

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Seen while hiking to the Sleeping Giant castle

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Sleeping Giant Tower'
© c Angela Hansen Photography

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The tower at Sleeping Giant, with plenty of room for picnicking, inside and out

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Snowy Trails on Sleeping Giant'
© c Angela Hansen Photography

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Sleeping Giant is a great hike, even in the depths of winter... good with either boots or cross-country skiis

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Torture at Dusk'
© c Angela Hansen Photography

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The hike up Sleeping Giant includes many examples of the twisty Mountain Laurel, state tree of Connecticut

Sleeping Giant State Park
'Zebra Forest'
© c Angela Hansen Photography

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During winter, many of the trees on the Sleeping Giant path feature a single stripe of snow.

Two miles of mountaintop resembling a sleeping giant give this park its name, and make it a distinguishing feature on Connecticut's skyline

History of the Area

Two miles of mountaintop resembling a large man lying in repose, the "sleeping giant", is a popular feature of the south central Connecticut skyline. A 1 1/2 mile scenic trail leads to the stone observation tower on the peak of Mt. Carmel which provides an excellent view of Long Island Sound and the New Haven area.

Area Accommodations

The Connecticut River Valley Inn - Glastonbury, CT

BBs / Inns

Restored and updated to a 5 room inn, centrally located in the pastoral yet progressive town of Glastonbury, Connecticut. Just steps from either a medley of casual to fine dining restaurants or from quiet walks along the Connecticut River. A fusion of the historic past with the style, artistry and conveniences of the new millennium.

Web Site: http://www.ctrivervalleyinn.com/

Tidewater Inn Bed and Breakfast - Madison, CT

BBs / Inns

Located in the shoreline village of Madison, CT, the Inn offers a cozy and elegant atmosphere of antiques and estate furniture.

Web Site: http://www.thetidewater.com/

Boats and RVs

Rent My Camper.com, Inc - Shirley, NY

Motor Home Campers

We'll Hook You Up with all the comforts of home including heat and AC. We deliver, setup and pickup. Our campers sleep up to 10. Just bring your food and clothes we've covered everything else, even clean linens and towels Camper is supplied with pots, pans, plates, bowls, cups, utensils, all your kitchen needs.

Web Site: http://www.rentmycamper.com

Get directions
to this park:

Nearby Parks

Quinnipiac River State Park

Wharton Brook State Park

Naugatuck State Forest

Trimountain State Park

West Peak State Park

Black Pond State Wildlife Area

Cockaponset State Forest

Kensington Atlantic State Fishing Hatchery

Durman Meadows State Wildlife Area

Whittemore Glen State Park

Things To Do in the Area

RiverQuest-Connecticut River Expeditions - Haddam, CT

Boating

Explore the Connecticut River aboard the R/V River Quest, an environmentally friendly 64', 60 passenger vessel docked at Eagle Landing State Park, Haddam, CT.

Web Site: http://www.ctriverquest.com

CT Bike Tours.Com, LLC - Guilford, CT

Family Outting

Our Shoreline Bike Boat Tour is a leisurely paced guided ride along the coast on gently rolling hills. We combine it with a narrated 45 minute boat tour of the lovely Thimble Islands. If you have your own bikes and helmets, bring them. Custom guided rides are also available. Minimum age allowed is 16 yrs. old. The bicycle guide, boat tour, bikes, helmets and refreshments are all provided, all you need is your energy

Web Site: http://www.ctbiketours.com/

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

March 9 Best hiking trails! by Karen Veronica Hampe

Sleeping giant has some great hiking trails that are treacherous, adventurous, and a great workout while having fun! The view on top of the mountain is excellent. There are also easier/wide hiking trails for familys. You can enjoy fishing at the creeks and small running rivers. There is lots of privacy as well. A great place to spend your day and pack a picnic!

November 24 All Time Favorite CT Park! by Nathan Testerman

This park a great! This park use to be a quarry and many of the old structures from the mining company still stand (follow blue to purple trail). This park has 3 freat features; 1) The stream/waterfall/creek is very peaceful (great during all seasons), the fishing is pretty good, and the swiming is a blast as well. 2) The Tower gives you a view of Long Island Sound, The City of New Haven, and Qin.-University. 3) The blue trail (The hardest trail in the park) will lead you on a winding tail pretty much straight up the face of the old quarry, there are some sections that timid hikers may find themselves crawling. Overall this park has something for everybody; the view, the peacefulness, and the challenge all make for an amazing park!

May 6 A PLACE TO TAKE A CAT NAP IN PEACE by ETOWER99

I HAVE WALKED MANY TIMES TO THE TOWER WALKED BY THE BROOK AND JUST HANG OUT IF I HAVE EXTRA TIME. ITS QUIET PEACEFULL AND NO ONE WILL BUG YOU IF YOU ARE THERE TO GET A SMALL CAT NAP

Area Campgrounds

Totoket Valley RV Park 244 Foxon Road North Branford, CT 203-484-0099	Gentile's Campground 223 Mount Tobe Road Route 262 Plymouth, CT 860-283-8437

Area Resorts and Lodging

A Tres Jolie Day Spa LLC
522 Heritage Rd
Southbury, CT
(203) 264-0515

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Directions

From I-91: take Exit 10. Then get onto Route 40 connector and stay on until the end. At the light, take a right onto Route 10N drive 1? miles then take a right onto MT Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From Wilbur Cross Parkway: take Exit 61. Go north onto Whitney Avenue for 3 miles and take a right onto MT. Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From I-84 to Cheshire: take Route 70S onto Route 10 south drive 5 miles. Then take a left at the light onto MT. Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.