west rock ridge state park

Playful_One

Love the view of New Haven from the top of the mountain. Enjoy the statue of the angel of peace. Also a great place for outings, large playground for the children and for adults, you can take a great walk on the path.

ReneeHyt

Great scenery and there are even picnic tables available! Be careful along the ridge as some of the walking paths are very slim and require your attention.

chairduck

We've only been to the top of West Rock once; the real attraction, for me and my wife, is the walking trail that loops around Lake Wintergreen. Every time we've gone we've found frogs, tadpoles, cool birds (sometimes owls!), snapping turtles, deer, butterflies, toads--you name it. (Given enough visits we'd probably find dragons and unicorns). The views are beautiful and you can walk the whole thing in under an hour; totally, totally worth it. We always take our families whenever they're visiting.Don't believe me? This should tell you how much we love the place--on a little tiny island just big enough for two, right off the edge of the trail, I proposed to my now-wife. Maybe you'll get to make some lasting memories there, too!

831CarmenR

This is a beautiful and historic park. The drive to it is beautiful. The view from the top is wonderful. It also has the historically important "Judges' Cave"

G5689PCmikel

You can park at the bottom and walk up a broad, easy road. Some days the road to the top is open and you can drive up. Don't miss a visit to Judge's Cave and read the plaque to learn a bit of history. Great views.

JohnX269

The trail here are nice to roam around on. It is pretty easy. It is nice to see the trees. There is a pretty good view. There is also a dam. X rating 4.4

userChris

This State Park has a lot of history and stories. You can drive all the way up to Judges Caves - which is not a true cave, but a large split rock you can pass through.There are also hiking trails around. Enjoy a day here and at other area locations, Great place to stop for a break!

Bravo95

I live within walking distance to Lake Wintergreen (1 mile or so) and it is one of my favorite places to hike and unwind. The trails are well-groomed and clearly marked. It can be very muddy this time of year so water-proof hiking boots are a must. I do not recommend walking alone in the park at off-peak times. I have walked alone when I had a large black dog and a stick but will not venture in there without a companion and a cell phone. Need to use common sense. The view across the lake is spectacular and walking up to Baldwin Drive to look over the river is beautiful, especially in the fall.

Mrbrowncanmoo

I live right around the corner and it wasn't until I met someone at the dog park who hikes here that I tried it with my dog. I enter the park off Mountain Road rather than at the main entrance - there are many trails to the ridge and all are great, some more steep and challenging than others. The ridge is a very windy spot and the views on either side are incredible. With many lookout points along the way, you could easily forget where you are! The views of New Haven Harbor are stunning.

OccasionalTraveler92

West Rock is a good place to hike, as there are many options, both in mileage and level of challenge. The loop around Lake Wintergreen is a 1.5 mile pleasant stroll. The views from the ridge are outstanding. The park is also popular with dog walkers, mountain bikers and people who like to fish. Once you get away from the parking areas, you will probably have the place to yourself. Commenting on other postings: As a volunteer, I maintain the trails at West Rock as my schedule allows. Since there are about 23 miles of trails, that is a lot of ground to cover. The blazes on every marked trail should be in respectable shape, as most have been reblazed within the last four years. When you are near certain popular areas where people can drive: the South Overlook, Judges Cave, and Lake Wintergreen, unfortunately, litter can be a problem. My blog has extensive information about the park, including a link to the state website and a map.

rjr4945

In high school it was a drag strip. Now abandoned except for hikers and bicycles. Not one of the great national parks . great if you are local

Laura_BP_10

The view from the top of West Rock is beautiful. The bike ride to the top is a good one, with several roads that lead to the top. Unfortunately, the trails are not good for hiking. They are not well maintained, and there is a lot of glass on the trail. I took my dog hiking at West Rock, and I was concerned for her safety. My bike ride to the top, on the other hand, was wonderful.

RuthB140

I went horseback riding with some friends here. What nice trails! Parking was at a small parking lot at the Nature Center, but we found an alternate lot that was much better for our (and our horses') needs. The trail starts out challenging with rocks and narrow hilly areas, but once you are on the main ridge line it is spectacular. It is a state park, and free. Go on the website for the DEEP to get directions. We were riding for 3 hours but I think we could have gone all day. Horses are only allowed on a couple of marked trails but that is more than enough. Park is well used by hikers and summer campers too.

BruceO517

Nice view of New Haven and Westville from up high. Quiet and peaceful. And there's the Judges Cave that's not really a cave, but is supposed to be where the three regicides (Whalley, Goffe and Dixwell) hid from the British after condemning Charles I to death. History with a view.

SojournerToo

Beautiful state park that offers various hiking trails. Some can be challenging for those older hikers as you have to climb up some rocks, but you can avoid those trails. It is very serene and each season brings its beauty. It would be nice if people listened to the leash law. Many owners leave their dogs free to run which can be scary when they run and jump on you.