The Naugatuck Forest is a working forest, managed for the sustainable growth and harvest of sawlogs and firewood, wildlife habitat, and recreation. It has a long history of forest management dating to the 1930s. In fact, the Audubon Society recognized it as an Important Bird Area because of the diverse habitats created by timber harvesting, mowing, and controlling invasive plants.
Some of the trails and roads in the West Block were washed out by the August 2024 flood. This includes a popular trail to Spruce Brook Falls. They are not expected to be repaired for quite some time. In the meantime, Spruce Brook Falls can be reached from the Blue Trail that starts at the Parking Area along Cold Spring Road.
In 1921, Harris Whittemore, a local industrialist and member of the State Forest and Park Commission, began buying property in the Naugatuck Valley for eventual donation to the State. Whittemore planted conifers on roughly 260 acres under the supervision of his forester, William Shepardson, for whom one of the Forest roads is named. Whittemore died in 1928, but his family continued to acquire land, eventually donating almost 1,700 acres in his memory. In October 1931, the gift was officially recognized at a meeting of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association held at the site, with Governor Wilbur Cross and 700 people attending. It was Connecticut’s 19th State Forest. In 2001, 578 acres were acquired from the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company. It included four former drinking water reservoirs, ranging in size from 4.5 to 37 acres.
Horseback riding and mountain biking are allowed; users will have to decide which roads or trails are appropriate. Please respect other users.
The Forest is open to hunting and trapping. There is a shooting range managed by the High Rock Shooting Association that is open to the public on weekends.
The water bodies are open for cartop boating and fishing. A CT fishing license required.
Swimming is not allowed.
This park is managed by the following CT DEEP Park Headquarters:
The West Block of the Naugatuck State Forest can best be reached from State Route 8 between Waterbury and Ansonia.
There is a large parking lot holding about 20 cars at an approximate address of 700 Hunters Mountain Road, Naugatuck. A smaller parking lot is on the south side of the road a little further east.
From Route 8, take Exit 25A and head west on Route 63 North for 0.4 miles. after the right bend, turn left on Scott Street for 0.1 miles and take another left on Lewis Street for 0.5 miles. Lewis Street turns into Hunters Mountain Road. Follow for 1.2 miles to find the first/smaller parking lot on the left, the larger parking lot is a little further west at the end of the road.
There is one parking lot for about 10 cars off Cold Springs Road, shortly before the intersection with Spruce Brook Road, and another lot for 15-20 cars at the corner of Cold Springs Road and Spruce Brook Road.
From Route 8 northbound, take Exit 21. Turn right onto Route 42 /South Main Street towards Beacon Falls. Turn left onto Depot Street to cross the Naugatuck River, then turn right onto Railroad Avenue and right again onto Cold Springs Road. Follow Cold Springs Road for 1.1 miles; the first lot is off to the left before the intersection, the second lot right at the intersection with Spruce Brook Road.
From Route 8 southbound, take Exit 21 and turn right onto North Main Street/Route 852. Turn right onto Depot Street to cross the Naugatuck River, then turn right onto Railroad Avenue and right again onto Cold Springs Road. Follow Cold Springs Road for 1.1 miles; the first lot is off to the left before the intersection, the second lot right at the intersection with Spruce Brook Road.
There is a decent-sized parking lot holding about 20 cars at 360 Chestnut Tree Hill Rd., Oxford, at the southwest corner of Reservoir 4. There are also a few spots along the road by the power lines.
From Route 8 northbound, take Exit 21. Take a left at the end of the ramp onto Route 42 West and continue for 2.1 miles. Turn right on Chestnut Tree Hill Road. After a mile, the the parking area is on the right just past the power lines.
From Route 8 southbound, take Exit 21. Take a right right onto North Main Street (which becomes Route 42 West) for 3.1 miles. Turn right onto Chestnut Tree Hill Road and continue for 1 mile. The parking area is on the right just past the power lines.
There is a parking area for about 10 cars at 1 Old Litchfield Turnpike, Oxford, at the corner with Route 42, near Reservoirs 1 and 2. This parking area is popular, so it is often nearly full with cars. Be sure to observe the "No Parking" signs located at both ends of the parking lot.
From Route 8 northbound, take Exit 21. Take a left at the end of the ramp onto Route 42 West and continue for 1.6 miles. Parking is at the intersection with Old Litchfield Road, just where Route 42 bends left.
From Route 8 southbound, take Exit 21. Take a right right onto North Main Street (which becomes Route 42 West) for 2.8 miles. Parking is at the intersection with Old Litchfield Road, just where Route 42 bends left.
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