The 1,000-foot high promontory provides a splendid view of the Connecticut landscape. On the horizon, Mount Monadnock, eighty miles away in New Hampshire, is discernible. To the northwest, the Berkshires dominate the horizon. Long Island Sound is revealed as a thin blue streak to the south. Those with sharp vision can see an area estimated to be 1,200 square miles.
The Tower Trail is 1.3 miles long. A walk to the Tower takes approximately 30 - 40 minutes. Also running through the park is a section of the Metacomet Trail, developed and maintained with volunteer assistance by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.
Hikers may encounter a variety of wildlife including deer, foxes, and rabbits. Bird watchers enjoy occasional sightings of the turkey vulture, bald eagle, and pileated woodpecker. During May, visitors find wildflowers such as trillium, trout lily, wood anemone, and Dutchman's breeches among the damp, craggy rocks. Tables, grills, and bathrooms are available for picnickers.
The familiar Farmington River Valley landmark of Heublein Tower sits atop Talcott Mountain, a long, precipitous wooded ledge named after the Talcott family. The 165-foot structure was built as a summer home in 1914 by Gilbert Heublein. In the early fifties, two future presidents were guests of the Hartford Times, then General Dwight D. Eisenhower (who was asked to run for office there) and Ronald Reagan, then president of the Screen Actors' Guild. Following a period of ownership of the property by the Hartford Times during WWII and the early 1950's, it was slated for residential development by a private corporation when the 557 acres of Talcott Mountain came under public ownership in 1965 through the cooperative efforts of private conservationists and state and federal governments.
The Heublein Tower historic home and museum are accessible by walking trail only. The trail is 1.25 miles long.
The museum is open seasonally from 10 am to 5 pm. Pets, food, drink, and walking sticks are not allowed in the museum. Please call the park office for specific hours at 860-242-1158.
Groups larger than 20 visiting the museum are asked to call the park office at 860-242-1158 to make arrangements in advance. Picnic tables, grills, bathrooms, and water are available on the grounds. Trash containers are not provided, please carry out what you have carried in.
This park is not handicapped accessible.
The park is open from 8 am to sunset.
Report bear sightings to the Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3011.
Find additional information about the park and events on The Friends of Heublein Tower website including a Virtual Tour of Talcott Mountain State Park
This property was acquired and/or developed with the assistance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
This park is managed by the following CT DEEP Park Headquarters:
If using GPS: Parking is located on Summit Ridge Drive, Simsbury, CT 06070
1 Summit Ridge Drive
Simsbury, CT 06070
From I-91 North or South: Take Exit 35B, which is the Bloomfield Route 218 exit. This road is also known as Cottage Grove Road. Follow Cottage Grove Road heading west until you hit Route 185. Follow Route 185 heading for Simsbury. At the top of the hill, the entrance to Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower will be on your left.
From I-84 East or West: Take the Route 44 Exit. Follow Route 44 heading west until you hit the intersection of Route 218. Take a right on Rte 218 and follow north until you hit Route 185 in Simsbury. Take a left on Route 185 heading for Simsbury. At the top of the hill, Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower is on your left.
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