BLACK ROCK STATE PARK
Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Highlands.
Tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Highlands, 439-acre Black Rock offers a variety of outdoor activities. Steep, wooded ledges covered with pine, hemlock and oak provide the setting for Black Rock Pond.Both fact and legend account for the name "Black Rock." Early settlers to the Naugatuck Valley were given rights to mine graphite lead by the resident Indians around 1657. The description given the contrasting darker-colored rock material has persisted through the years.Early use of the area by Native Americans has been confirmed by the arrowheads and stone implements. Artifacts unearthed at the park belonged to members of the Mohegan, Paugussett and Tunxis tribes.Black Rock was given to the people of Connecticut in 1926 through the efforts of Black Rock Forest, Incorporated, a citizen's conservation group interested in woodland preservation. Development of access roads and facilities later became part of the Civilian Conservation Corps' economic recovery program.
Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under the Passport to the Parks program, parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. You can view the
CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS web page to learn more.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Swimming Beachyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
WinterActivitiesyes
There are 96 sites in a wooded setting that are available in Black Rock Campground. The camping season begins in mid-April and ends September 30.
Black Rock is a designated Trout Park.
Black Rock State Park is located near Avon, Bristol and Brookfield
Excellent hiking is available on the Mattatuck Trail from the Grey Stone section of Waterbury to the Wigwam Reservoir in Morris. This trail offers a scenic view of the Naugatuck Valley, highlighting Black Rock. There are many side trails where one can see Black Rock Lake, Black Rock Pond, mature forests and meadows. Hikes can be from 30 minutes to all day.Hiking trails are maintained in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, which provides volunteer assistance.
Burr Pond State Park, Torrington Location: 5 miles north of Torrington on Route 8 Activities: Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking, Swimming Charge: Daily, in season
Mt. Tom State Park, Litchfield Location: 3 1/2 miles west of Bantam off Route 202Activities: Picnicking, Swimming, Fishing, Hiking, Boating (non-motor)Charge: Daily, in season
Topsmead State Forest, Litchfield Location: 1/2 mile east of Litchfield off Route 118. Turn left (coming from Torrington) or right (coming from Litchfield) onto East Litchfield Road. Proceed to the first right and turn onto Buell Road. Follow for 1/8 mile. Turn right onto Chase Road. The entrance road is on the right Activities: Walking, House Tours, Birding, Cross Country Skiing Charge: None
From Route 8 north: take Exit 38. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp to first traffic light. Turn left at traffic light onto US Route 6 west. Park entrance is a 1/2 mile on the right on US Route 6.
From Route 8 south: take Exit 38. Go straight ahead at the end of the exit ramp to US Route 6 west. Park entrance is on the right.
Black ROck is a Beautiful park, nestled in a very scenic and beautiful area. There are many interesting and nature rich areas to visit nearby as well as the park itself. I have been a camper there for many years and many of my friends and aquantences have too and we always enjoy our camping trips! The park has beautiful trails, excellent scenery, places to paint, take pictures, fish, swim and just relax at your whim. I have known the staff and rangers to be very helpful, kind, patient and deeply concerned about the safety and well being of all who visit the park and stay in the campground. They are continuously working at improvements in the park including adding cabins and cleaning the bathrooms. The rangers help pick up the carelessly tossed litter as well as dedicatedly monitoring the park and camping areas to assure everyone has a safe, enjoyable stay and that is appreciated by many!
The park itself is very presentable. The bathrooms however, were absolutely filthy. The elderly camp Ranger was absolutely miserable and was on search to find campers in violation of even the smallest of rules.
If you are used to camping at sites where you do not get bothered if you are not bothering anyone, I would strongly urge you to NOT go to Black Rock State Park.
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