Huntington
State Park borders the
towns of Bethel, Newtown, and
Redding and is a great place to
get some fresh air.
There is an extensive trail system
that reaches out to all ends of
the park and the nooks and
crannies in between.
Hikers will share the well
maintained footpaths with joggers,
mountain bikers, and horseback
riders.
And you'll definitely see your
fair share of people with their
dogs as this is a perfect place
for the family pooch to get some
exercise.
As mentioned, the trail system is
extremely well maintained but
there are rocky portions of the
trail so watch your footing in
these areas.
Also, although the trail map
indicates a color coded trail
system, the trails are not clearly
marked and it is easy to get
disoriented at times.
The best thing to do is to grab a
free trail map at the main
entrance and bring that with you.
(Although the map could be much
better than it is by having the
standard "You are here" stamped on
it at the main entrance.)
The trail system itself is really
simple...an outer loop with sub
trails branching off the main
outer loop.
If you're looking for a nice long
hike, follow the trail that heads
off to the left and out into the
open fields.
The fields are great to walk
through and there aren't many like
this available to the public. Keep
baring to your left when given a
choice and this trail will take
you around a giant loop that
circles Huntington State Park.
If you get tired or want to change
your route once you are a good
distance into the hike, take one
of the side trails (which would be
a right hand turn).
Along your hike you'll get some
nice views, woodlands, ponds with
plenty of wildlife
activity...although sometimes this
requires a good eye or some
patience.
But the area is home to a lot
birds, hawks, owls, frogs, fish,
beaver, deer, and many of the
typical wildlife that thrive in
the suburban areas in Fairfield
County so it shouldn't be too hard
to see something interesting while
at Huntington.
If you go at the crack of dawn or
at dusk as night falls, there's a
chance that you might see a fox or
coyote.
Huntington is a great place for
families or solo hikers and you'll
certainly feel refreshed after a
hike through this park.
Visit the official website for updated information.
Directions: If
you're local and familiar with
greater Danbury area go to the Rt.
302 and Rt. 58 intersection near
Bethel High School.
Go south on 58 towards
Redding for 1.5 miles.
Take a left onto Sunset Hill
Rd. Follow Sunset Hill for 2.3
miles and the entrance to
Huntington is on your left.
If you're not familiar with the
greater Danbury area the best
thing to do is to go to map search
website and get directions for
Main Street, Bethel, CT.
Main Street in Bethel is
also Route 302.
Go east on 302 and follow it
out of the main downtown area and
until 302 comes to the
intersection of Route 58.
Take a right on 58 and head down
for 1.5 miles.
Take a left onto Sunset Hill
Rd. Follow Sunset Hill for 2.3
miles and the entrance to
Huntington is on your left.
Tom Ebersold sent these additional
driving directions to Berkshire
Hiking in January 2006.
From I-84: Take Exit 5 and follow
Rt. 53 south for 3.4 miles. Then
take Rt. 302 East for 1.6 miles.
At Rt. 58, follow Rt. 58 South for
1.5 miles. Take a left onto Sunset
Hill Rd. Follow Sunset Hill for
2.3 miles and the entrance to
Huntington is on your left.
From the Merritt Parkway
Northbound: Take Exit 42 and
follow Rt. 136 North for 5.2
miles. Then follow Rt. 58 North
for 7 miles, then take a right
onto Sunset Hill Rd. Huntington is
0.8 miles on the right.
From the Merritt Parkway.
Southbound: Take Exit 44 and
follow Rt. 58 North for 10.5
miles. Right onto Sunset Hill Rd.
The park is 0.8 miles on the
right.
Printable
version of the Huntington
State Park page
If you have any trail updates to
share or have feedback/questions
please click
here to send email or call
203.788.7665
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