Wadsworth Falls State Park offers trails on gently rolling terrain for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers. Trails lead to Little and Big Falls, as well as the giant Mountain Laurel. Wadsworth Falls can be found by parking nearby or by hiking 1.5 miles. Wadsworth Falls as it cascades over a twenty foot drop on the Coginchaug River.
The majority of trails within the park are wide, easy walking carriage roads established by Clarence Wadsworth. This includes the 1.5 mile one way walk to the Big Falls from the main park area. Hikers should follow the orange trail to its terminus at Cherry Hill Road, then turn right on Cherry Hill Road to cross the active train tracks and reach the Big Falls area. The yellow trail in the northeast corner is a moderate singletrack trail that parallels the Laurel Grove Brook. The blue trail located west of the orange trail is an advanced trail that leads down into a ravine, accessing views of the Little Falls. The red trail loop tends to be muddy in the Spring, and is best avoided during Spring thaw.
Other activities include fishing, picnicking and swimming. The Coginchaug River runs through the length of the park and is stocked with trout. Tables and grills are available in shaded areas, rustic locations, open grassy areas and stream-side sites for picnicking. Three hundred feet of sandy beach on a fresh water pond provide a designated swimming area as well as space to relax in the sun.
Clarence C. Wadsworth, noted scholar and linguist, settled in Middletown and embarked on a forty year effort to preserve the natural beauty of Wadsworth Falls. The land was given to the State of Connecticut in 1942, establishing what is now referred to as Wadsworth Falls State Park. The land was donated to the state for the preservation of the area and providing a variety of recreation opportunities for the citizens of the State of Connecticut.
This park is managed by the following CT DEEP Park Headquarters:
Take I-91 South to Route 9 south. Follow Route 9 south to Middletown. Take Middletown – Meriden Exit 15 to Route 66. Stay on Route 66 through Middletown for 6-7 traffic lights – look for the signs Wadsworth Falls State Park and Route 157 at a traffic light near a Walgreen’s Pharmacy. Take a left onto Route 157. Stay on Route 157. Wadsworth Falls State Park will be on the left.
Take I-91 north to Route 66 (Middletown – Meriden Exit 18). Follow Route 66 East towards Middletown. Look for the signs Wadsworth Falls State Park and Route 157 on the right. Follow Route 157 to Wadsworth Falls State Park.
Take Route 9 north to Route 66 (Middletown – Meriden Exit 15). Follow Route 66 through Middletown for 6-7 traffic lights. Take Route 157 off Route 66 near a Walgreen’s Pharmacy. Stay on Route 157 to Wadsworth Falls State Park.
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