The Naugatuck State Forest has almost 5,000 acres of wild, undeveloped woodlands, grasslands, rivers, lakes, ravines, and swamp in the scenic Naugatuck River valley. Trails in the East Block of the forest that includes Bethany connect with trails in the Van Epps Preserve. The Naugatuck Trail is one of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails manged by Connecticut Forest & Park Association to better connect people to the land. Established in 1929, the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System now includes over 825 miles of trails that pass through 96 towns traversing both public and private lands.
For more information, visit the CTParks website: https://ctparks.com/parks/naugatuck-state-forest
Trails:
The trails in Bethany in the Naugatuck State Forest can be accessed from the Whittemore Trail parking area. Trails in the Naugatuck State Forest also connect with trails in the Land Trust’s Van Epps Preserve.
- The Whittemore Trail (moderate; 0.7 miles) heads northwest up a slope from the parking area and connects to the Spirit Trail in the Van Epps Preserve and terminates at the Naugatuck Trail.
- The Naugatuck Trail (moderate; approx. 2.3 miles to the Whittemore Trail junction) heads northeast via a newly blazed route. A short, steep spur trail leads to Beacon Cap, a 770’ highpoint, with views to the south and east. The Naugatuck Trail proceeds west where it connects with Whittemore Trail and with the VanEpps Trail from the Van Epps Preserve. The trail continues west along an uneven east-west ridge into Beacon Falls. A loop hike from the parking area using the Naugatuck and Whittemore Trails takes about 2-3 hours.
Note: The map provided by the State of Connecticut has not yet been updated with the newly blazed trail route.
Area: > 5000 acres in Bethany, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, and Oxford
Address: 320 Beacon Road, Bethany, CT
Parking: The dirt Whittemore Trail parking area at 320 Beacon Road holds about four cars.
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