Rental Fee Does Not Include Parking Fee For The Facility!
NOTICE: As of March 2025, the fireplace within the Peoples State Forest Picnic Shelter is out of service and may not be used.
Please be aware that our state parks and forests close at sunset, and reserving a picnic shelter only includes use of the shelter until one half hour prior to sunset. The picnic shelter must be cleaned, belongings removed, and guests must exit the park prior to sunset. 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: http://www.ct.gov/dep
Peoples Forest Picnic Shelter, CT
Description
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Overview
Description
The American Legion and Peoples State Forests total 3,900 acres and are located in Barkhamsted, CT. The West Branch of the Farmington River, designated as a Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service, divides the two forests and is the center point of river-based recreational activities including trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking and tubing. Rugged terrain with steep, rocky hillsides typifies the remainder of the forest. Other attractions include the 200 year old white pine picnic groves in the Matthies Grove and Whittemore Recreation Areas, over 11 miles of hiking trails, the Barkhamsted Lighthouse and other cultural and historic sites.
Geography:
Located in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted, the initial 213 acres of Peoples State Forest were a gift from the American Legion in 1927, to provide citizens an example of proper forest management, as observed by U.S. soldiers throughout Europe during World War I.
Recreation:
The park's signature trail, the Henry Buck Trail, leads through the forest to the ruins of an old cheese box mill, climbs the cliffs, and continues down the north slope. The park offers many other hikes on its eleven miles of trails, as well as cycling on park roads. Seasonal interpretive programs and displays on forestry, mammals, Native American culture, and local history are based at the Stone Museum, open weekends between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Visitors are also welcome to camp, hunt, trap, picnic, snowshoe, cross-country ski, snowmobile, ice hike, go boating, canoeing, and kayaking, play field sports, and fish.
Facilities:
Park facilities include restrooms, picnic shelters, picnic tables, and a seasonally-opened museum.
Nearby Attractions:
Nearby state parks include Burr Pond State Park, Penwood State Park, and Stratton Brook State Park.
Services and Amenities
Services & Amenities:
Within Park
- Bike Riding
- Bird Watching
- Canoeing - River
- Climbing
- First Aid Kit
- Fishing - Freshwater
- Flush Toilet
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Hunting
- Interpretive Programs
- Kayaking
- Museum
- Parking
- Picnic Shelter
- Playing Fields
- Public Drinking Water Taps
- Recycling Center
- Restroom
- Scenic Overlook
- Softball Field
- Swimming
- Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
- Church
- Fishing Supplies
- Grocery Store
- Hunting Supplies
- Laundry
- Restaurant
- Walk-In Medical Center
Greater Than 10 Miles
- Hospital
Nearby Parks
[0.12 miles*]
[0.47 miles*]
[6.29 miles*]
