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Connecticut
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Connecticut State Parks

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USA Parks
Connecticut
River Valley Region
Bolton Notch State Park
Bolton Notch State Park Stepping into nature © Angela Hansen
Children play on one of the parks many paths, where it crosses under a freeway
Bolton Notch State Park Path to the future © Angela Hansen
Cliffs and a stream run alongside this path, even when it runs under a freeway
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BOLTON NOTCH STATE PARK
BOLTON NOTCH STATE PARK
Bolton Notch State Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers hiking trails through lush forests and around serene ponds with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park also features caves to explore and rock formations that are popular among climbers. Visitors can enjoy picnicking or wildlife watching during their visit as well.

History of the Area
Located in Bolton, Connecticut, the park was established as a state property in 1998. It spans over 95 acres of land. The area is known for its unique geology featuring cliffs and caves formed by glacial activity thousands of years ago.

The park's main attraction is the Hop River State Park Trail that passes through it - an old railroad line converted into a walking trail under Rails-to-Trails Conservancy program.

In addition to hiking trails, visitors can enjoy rock climbing due to its rugged terrain with steep inclines and rocky outcrops.

Despite being relatively small compared to other parks within Connecticut's system, it offers diverse recreational opportunities including bird watching and wildlife viewing owing to rich biodiversity present there.
Passes
Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under the Passport to the Parks program, parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. You can view the CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS web page to learn more.



Trails
- Hop River State Park Trail: This is a 20.2-mile trail that passes through Bolton Notch, featuring diverse wildlife and scenic views.

- Shenipsit Trail: A challenging hike of approximately 41 miles in length with sections running through the park; offers panoramic vistas from various lookout points.

- Rose's Cliff Loop via Freja Park Trails: An easy to moderate loop trail spanning about 1 mile within the park boundaries; features beautiful wildflowers during spring and summer months.

- Box Mountain Preserve Hiking Pathway: Roughly two miles long, this pathway provides hikers with stunning natural scenery including waterfalls and rock formations.

- Risley Pond Loop via Indian Notch Park Trails : Approximately three-miles-long round trip offering serene pond views throughout most seasons except winter when it freezes over for ice fishing activities.

-Bolton Heritage Farm & Valley Falls Walkway - About four miles total distance showcasing local farmland as well as picturesque falls along its route.

-Railroad Brook Ravine Nature Walk - Shorter than other trails at just under one mile but still packed full of beauty such as native plants, birdsong, babbling brooks etc., perfect for families or those looking for less strenuous activity.

-Mohegan Quarry Ramble- Around half-a-mile walk taking you past historic quarry sites where stone was once extracted by Native Americans centuries ago before European settlement began here in earnest around late seventeenth century onwards

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Area Campgrounds
Nelson's Family Campground
71 Mott Hill Road
East Hampton, CT
860-267-5300
Sun Valley Beach Club
51 Old Springfield Road
Stafford, CT
860-684-5861
Nelson's Family Campground
71 Mott Hill Road
E. Hampton, CT
Water's Edge Family Campground
271 Leonard Bridge Road
Lebanon, CT
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Directions from Hartford, Connecticut:
- Start on I-84 E.
- Take exit 59 for US 6/I-384 toward Providence.
- Continue onto I/US -44E.

From Manchester, Connecticut:
- Begin at CT Route 83 S/Main St
- Turn left to merge onto I-384 E towards Bolton/Hartford
- Exit the freeway via ramp number three.

To reach from New Haven, Connecticut:
- Get started by heading northbound on Church Street towards Grove Street.
- Merge into Interstate Highway (I)91 N using the right lane and follow signs for State Capitol/Hartford/Springfield MA.
- Keep in your current direction until you see an opportunity to take a slight right turn that will lead you straight down U.S Route six East(US-6).

If coming from Boston Massachusetts :
- Drive westward along interstate highway ninety-five South(I95S)
- Then continue driving through route two West(RT2W).

For those traveling From Norwich City ,Connecticut :
- Head North-Westwards Via RT32N .
- After some distance make sure to drive further ahead till reaching junction of RT31 .Turn Right there .

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Connecticut
7

Connecticut State Parks

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