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NOTICE: Amplified music, bounce houses and other play equipment are NOT ALLOWED. Please call the park directly, before making a reservation, if you have questions regarding other rules and regulations. Additional information can also be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/deep

The picnic shelter will be unavailable for use from May 1 - 31st, due to scheduled road work.

Penwood Picnic Shelter, CT

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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.

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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.

Services & Amenities:

Within Park
  • Ada Accessible Restroom
  • Bike Riding
  • Biking
  • Bird Watching
  • Covered Group Structure
  • Flush Toilet
  • Grills
  • Hiking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Overlook
  • Park Attendant
  • Parking
  • Paved Ada Accessible Site
  • Paved Roads
  • Pavilion
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicking
  • Pressurized Water
  • Restroom
  • Scenery
  • Trails
Within 10 Miles
  • 18 Hole Golf Course
  • Convenience Store
  • Golf
  • Hospital
  • Laundry
  • Lodge
  • Post Office
  • Restaurant
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
41.85667, -72.77611
41°51'24"N, 72°46'34"W

From I-91 north or south: Take Exit 35B, which is the Bloomfield Route 218 exit. This road is also known as Cottage Grove Road. Follow Cottage Grove Road, heading west, until you reach Route 185. Follow Route 185, heading toward Simsbury. At the top of the hill, the entrance to Penwood will be on your right. From I-84 east or west: Take the Route 44 Exit. Follow Route 44, heading west, until the junction of Routes 10 and 202 in the town of Avon. Follow Route 10 north, until you reach Route 185 in Simsbury. Follow Route 185, heading toward Bloomfield. At the top of the hill, Penwood will be on your left.
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Penwood Picnic Shelter
57 GUN MILL ROAD
BLOOMFIELD  CT  06002
Phone Number:
Information:  (860)242-1158
Nearby Parks
Photo: Talcott Mountain Day Use Entrance
[1.38 miles*]
Photo: STRATTON BROOK PICNIC SHELTER
[3.07 miles*]
Photo: Stratton Brook Day Use Entrance
[3.09 miles*]