Nature Preserves

This is why we live and visit here, to enjoy the beauty of it all. The hills, valleys, lake and streams - all to be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. Here are our top choices.

Audubon Sharon Four nature sanctuaries and 3,000 acres, an education center and Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic. Enjoy trails, live animal exhibits, nature programs and conservation events.
325 Cornwall Bridge Road Sharon CT 06069 860.364.0520
sharon.audubon.org
Bartholomew's Cobble Tour the cobbles; freshwater marshes with beaver ponds, the river, Ledges Trail passing two small caves kids love to explore. Many childrens' programs.
105 Weatogue Road Ashley Falls Sheffield MA 01257 413 229 8600
thetrustees.org
Beartown State Forest 12,000 acres for outdoor enthusiast. In summer; hiking, swimming, paddling, mountain biking. In winter; snowshoe, cross country ski, snowmobile or hunt.
69 Blue Hill Road Monterey MA 01245 413.528.0904
www.mass.gov
Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary Six hundred forty acres of diverse habitats with rolling and open grasslands. Six miles of trails, over 80 species of birds. Hours: Dawn to dusk.
Route 82 Stanfordville NY 12506 518.325.5203
www.dec.ny.gov
Campbell Falls State Park Reserve Visit a Connecticut State Park or Forest and explore the wealth of diverse natural areas and unique features that will make your experience memorable
Old Spaulding Road Norfolk CT 06058 860.482.1817
www.ct.gov
Dennis Hill State Park Hike to the summit of this 240-acre estate for panoramic views reaching as far away as New Hampshire. Fall foliage season is an autumn wonderland.
Route 272 Norfolk CT 06058
www.ct.gov
Dry Hill Wander over 200 acres of forest and a maze of thickets on a trail that traces a small brook and passes vernal pools and other wetlands. Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Old North Road (Harmon Road) New Marlborough MA 01230 413.298.3239
www.thetrustees.org
Goose Pond Reservation Paddle across Lower Goose Pond in a wilderness area protecting more than a quarter-mile of rocky shoreline. Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Access via Boat Ramp on Ridge Street Lee MA 01238 413.298.3239
www.thetrustees.org
Great Mountain Forest 6000 acres of permanently protected land in Norfolk and Falls Village, this research and education forest with hiking trials, a maple sugarhouse and cross country skiing.
201 Windrow Road Norfolk CT 06058 860.824.8188
www.greatmountainforest.org
Jug End State Reservation Preserving over 1100 acre property and making it accessible to all, hikers can disappear for a while into a serene natural environment and discover scenic areas.
Jug End Road Mount Washington MA 01258 413.528.0330
www.berkshirehiking.com
Kennedy Park Town-owned and maintained hardwood forest with old carriage roads and nearly 15 miles groomed trails. Ideal for hiking, picnics and cross-country skiing.
Route 7 and 20 Pittsfield Road Lenox MA 01240 413.637.3010
lenox.org
Kent Falls State Park Wander across the covered bridge, hike the falls, feel the mist on your face as water cascades 250' on its way to join the Housatonic River. A great place to picnic.
159 Macedonia Brook Road Kent CT 06757 860.927.3238
www.ct.gov
Miles Wildlife Sanctuary A self guided natural experience.
99 West Cornwall Road Sharon CT 06069 860.364.0520
sharon.audubon.org
Mohawk State Forest One of the state's largest parks it offers hikers a 30 mile trail system, traversing open fields, deep forests and steep mountainsides. The views are spectacular.
Route 4 Cornwall CT 06756 203.788.7765
berkshirehiking.com
Stissing Mountain and Park Stissing Mountain rises 1,400 feet, a lake for swimming, boating, basketball courts, playing fields, roller blading, skate boarding and bike riding.
Pine Plains NY 12567
www.dec.ny.gov
Taconic State Park Copake Falls and Rudd Pond offer extensive trail system with terrain that varies from easy to challenging. Swim, picnic, hike and bike, fish and boat on scenic 64 acre pond.
59 Rudd Pond Road Millerton NY 12546 518.789.3059
nysparks.state.ny
Thompson Pond Nature Preserve At the foot of Stissing Mountain and open dawn to dusk for passive recreational and educational uses, such as cross-country skiing, hiking and bird study.
Pine Plains NY 914.244.3217
www.nature.org
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