Today we include Connecticut in our A Walk In the Park, State Park Spotlight. For those of you not familiar with our 50 week series, Blogging Babies and the Bayou will take readers into a new state every week and feature local State Parks. My mission is to open the eyes of many readers and give a small glimpse of what your own state may offer. If you haven’t included Connecticut into your U.S travel bucket list, then get ready to brag a pen and paper to make it official! Enjoy our Walk in the Park.

Many people don’t consider Connecticut as a major state park and outdoor adventures state, but it most definitely is! If you like cooler weather and scenery of a different sort, head north and enjoy what Connecticut has to offer. Nature, adventure and more is in store for you at a Connecticut State Park.

Connecticut Pics
Bluff Point State Park Photo Credit
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve 


Bluff Point Coastal Reserve is a hikers dream with its mixture of wooded hiking and biking trails combined with spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound.  This park along the coast is well-known for hiking, fishing, saltwater fishing, biking, shell fishing, and wonderful picnic areas. It is a beautiful space to spend your day relaxing and enjoying the coast. A permit is required for shell fishing and can be obtained at the nearby Town of Groton. 
Bluff Point is the last remaining large plots of undeveloped land along the Connecticut coastline, and the wooded peninsula measures one and one-half miles long by one mile wide, encompassing more than 800 acres for visitors to enjoy. Because of this important designation, visitors must access the bluff by foot or non-motorized vehicle only.

Photo Credit:
Friends of Minaus River State Park
http://www.friendsofmianusriverpark.org/galleries/scenicspots-fs.htm

Mianus River Park
Mianus River Park, situated on the Greenwich / Stamford border in Connecticut, has a total combined 391 acres, including the two mile stretch of the stunning Mianus River, which is a major attraction to visitors. The park also offers forest lands, pools, wildlife and miles of trails perfect for walking and other recreational activities.

The forest located in the park is made up of a variety of plant life, like ferns, grasses, toadstools and wildflowers, as well as the trees and shrubs that make up the forest. Also in the forest is a wide variety of animals, birds, fish and other creatures that call Mianus River Park their home. Bird watching is popular at Mianus River Park and birds like heron, kingfishers, woodpeckers and warblers can often be found in the park.

If you’re interested in visiting during the winter for cross-country skiing, then this is the place for you! Fishing is offered year around, but the type of fishing will vary per season. For those interested in Geocaching (an international treasure hunting game), Mianur River Park is a must-visit! There are 10 caches in the park and a map showing the general location of the caches is available on the Geocaching site.

Photo Credit:
Meshomasic State Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/

Meshomasic State Forest

Meshomasic State Forest began as 70 acres acquired for $105.00 in 1903. It was the first State Forest in Connecticut and the second in the country. It has a rich history and now stands on hundreds of acres. 
The state forest’s is made up of lots of white pine, and one stand inside this forest contains pines over 100 years old. The forest floor is alive and littered with boulders and large rocks from the last ice age, as well as cobalt, quartzite, and feldspar, along with gold! 
The highest point is the Meshomasic Mountain, which stands at 916 feet above sea-level and the whole area is surrounded by tall hills and mountains. The forest park is very divers, in other words, offering much to its visitors. Hunting, mountain biking, and hiking are also permitted in the forest. A public shooting range is also located within the State Forest. Camping is not permitted, though, and the park is for day use only.

Photo Credit: Enders Falls
http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/

Enders State Forest

Another state forest in Connecticut is Enders State Forest, known formally as John Ostrom Enders and Harriet Whitmore Enders State Forest. It was a gift to the State of Connecticut by their four children in 1970, additional land was donated in 1981 and more was purchased in 2002, making the forest 2,098 acres. The forest is managed for saw timber, firewood, wildlife habitat, and hiking, fishing, and bird watching for visitors. This is not a camping facility, but it offers long hours to allow visitors time to enjoy all that the park has to offer, but you may want to plan several days here! With more than 2,000 acres to explore, you will need it.

Photo Credit:
Wooster Mountain State Park
http://www.naturallyamazing.com/americasparks/12103.jpg



Wooster Mountain State Park

Wooster Mountain State Park offers hiking, skeet shooting, trap and target Shooting, hunting, a public shooting range, as well as open, undeveloped land perfect for wilderness walks. Named for General David Wooster, the 444 acres along the Connecticut River offer peaceful exploration opportunities, as well as fun activities. General Wooster is buried in the nearby Wooster cemetery and a monument was erected in his honor. Visitors to the park can learn more about him and his contribution to the nation. For more information on how to participate in the activities or on other activities the park has to offer.

Additional Walk in the Park State by State Spotlight
Alabama State Parks
Alaska State Parks
Arizona State Parks
Arkansas State Parks
California State Parks
Connecticut State Parks
Colorado State Parks
Delaware State Parks
Florida State Parks
Georgia State Parks
Hawaiian State Parks
Iowa State Parks
Illinois State Parks
Indiana State Parks
Iowa State Parks
Kansas State Parks
Kentucky State Parks
Louisiana State Parks

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