Description
A passionate outdoorsman donated the land for the Penwood State Park and requested that horses, camping, and campfires be excluded from the activities at Penwood. True nature-lovers will feel right at home in this well-preserved, beautiful setting, which is a hiker's paradise. Cross-country skiing is welcome in the winter. A section of Connecticut's Blue Blazed Trail system, the Metacomet, traverses much of the Penwood State Park. In April, as the snow recedes, colorful wildflowers carpet gravelly pockets of soil. The trillium is common, as are dutchman's breeches, hepatica, bloodroot, and trailing arbutus. Occasionally, hikers may catch a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker, turkey vulture or bald eagle.
Geography:
A long wooded ridge dominates the sunset side of the Connecticut River Valley in the vicinity of Hartford, and Penwood State Park sits atop the northerly portion of the Talcott Mountain Range. With this gift in 1944 to the citizens of Connecticut of nearly 800 acres, Curtis H. Veeder wished only that his beloved hilltop "be kept in a natural state, so that those who love nature may enjoy this property as I have enjoyed it." Ardent hikers, Veeder and his wife, Louise, built many trails from which to more intimately observe the wildlife, woodland phenomena and scenic vistas surrounding the mountain.
Recreation:
An extensive trail system is maintained in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. Most hiking trails start and end in the main picnicking area. Each trail is a color-coded loop, except the Nature Trail, built by the Youth Conservation Corps, which encircles Lake Louise and passes by the pinnacle overlook. Other park activities include cross-country skiing and picnicking.
Facilities:
Park facilities include restrooms, picnic shelters, and picnic tables. Please note that the Penwood State Park Picnic Shelter is about a half-mile walk from the parking lot.
Nearby Attractions:
Nearby state parks include American Legion and Peoples State Forests, Stratton Brook State Park, and Talcott Mountain State Park.
