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Connecticut
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Connecticut State Parks

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USA Parks
Connecticut
Litchfield Hills Region
Camp Columbia State Park
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Camp Columbia State Park © Morrowlong / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class of 1906 Tower 1942 cornerstone.Engraved commemoration on Connecticuts Camp Columbia State Park/Forest Tower, Morris, CT.
Camp Columbia State Park © Morrowlong / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Camp Columbia State Parks observation tower bequeathed by the Class Of 1906,
Camp Columbia State Park © Morrowlong / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A view from the towers windows in autumn. Connecticuts Camp Columbia State Park/Forest Tower, Morris, CT.
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CAMP COLUMBIA STATE PARK
CAMP COLUMBIA STATE PARK
West Street
Morris, Connecticut   06763
(lat:41.6801 lon:-73.2242) map location

Phone: 860-424-3200
Camp Columbia State Historic Park is one of Connecticut DEP's most recent park acquisitions. As such its public access and recreational opportunities are still being developed.

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.

Every new state property undergoes a period of evaluation to determine the best public use based on its location, past history, resources present, access, and other factors. Based on this scrutiny, twelve per cent of Camp Columbia's 599.99 acres became the Historic Park. Generally speaking, what is now the State Park was Camp Columbia's main Campus, including the building locations and the frontage on Bantam Lake. State Parks are typically meant for preservation and recreation. Although there are exceptions, there are usually no active resource management programs, such as timber harvesting and hunting, in State Parks.

The majority of Camp Columbia's 599.99 acre parcel was designated as State Forest. As the tree cover regrew following the camp's abandonment, forest management became a part of the care of the land. What is now the State Forest was the student's research area. Connecticuts state forests are managed for such multiple uses as growth and harvest of forest products, wildlife habitat enhancement, research, hiking, hunting and trapping.

Currently, work is being done on an interpretive trail system throughout the park to convey to the public the deep and interesting account of this fascinating and historical piece of land.
History of the Area
Located in Morris, Connecticut, the park was once a summer camp for Columbia University students from 1903 to 1942. During World War II and until the late '50s it served as an Army Reserve training site. In later years, local high schools used its facilities before falling into disrepair by the mid-1980s.

In 2001, after failed attempts at private development due to zoning restrictions and community opposition; The State of Connecticut acquired this property through eminent domain proceedings.

The state's Department of Environmental Protection then began managing it as part of their system of parks and forests. Today visitors can enjoy hiking trails that traverse its scenic landscape.

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
- Blue Trail: This is a 2.5-mile trail that offers moderate hiking and beautiful views of the surrounding area.

- Red Trail: A shorter, less challenging route at approximately one mile long; ideal for beginners or those seeking a leisurely walk.

- Yellow Trail: Approximately two miles in length, this path provides hikers with an array of natural scenery including woodland areas and open fields.

- Green Loop (North): An easy-to-moderate hike covering about three miles through dense forested terrain; great for bird watching opportunities.

- Green Loop (South): Similar to its northern counterpart but slightly longer at around four miles offering more diverse landscapes such as meadows and wetlands.

- White Connector Trails: These are smaller trails connecting main paths together allowing hikers to customize their routes according to difficulty level or desired distance covered.

- Orange Access Pathway : Shorter than most other trails within Camp Columbia State Park measuring just under half-a-mile making it suitable even for young children or elderly visitors who prefer light walks.

-Purple Nature Walks : Not specifically designed as traditional hiking paths these short strolls offer educational insights into local flora & fauna perfect for families with kids interested in nature studies .

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Area Campgrounds
Cozy Hills Campground
1311 Route 202 Bantam Road
Bantam, CT
860-567-2119
Hemlock Hill Camp Resort
118 Hemlock Hill Road
Litchfield, CT
860-567-2267
Gentile's Campground
223 Mount Tobe Road Route 262
Plymouth, CT
860-283-8437
Nearby Hotels
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Directions
Directions from New York City:
- Start on I-95 N.
- Take exit 27A for CT Route 8/25 toward Trumbull/Waterbury.
- Merge onto CT Route 8/25 and continue to follow it north.

From Waterbury, Connecticut:
- Get on the ramp towards US Highway (US) -6 E / Thomaston Road.
- Continue straight until you reach Camp Columbia State Park.

From Hartford, Connecticut:
- Head west on Interstate (I)-84 W.
- Exit at junction number 17 for Hamilton Avenue in Watertown.
- Turn right into Buckingham Street then left onto Echo Lake Rd Ext which leads directly to the park entrance.

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Connecticut
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Connecticut State Parks

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