satan's kingdom state recreation area

jacob518

I was absolutely devastated by how much of a letdown it was. I expected ten-story walls of flame, and demons heckling me. Instead, I discovered that this establishment only catered to obese middle-aged men on pitifully inadequate rafts. I will not consider returning, unless management performs a ritual to open a portal to the netherworld.

tmathmeyer

I went here about 5 times in my last two years of high school, and we would spend about 8 hours total on the river, taking 3~4 rides each visit. Its half price for the second, and free for the third, etc, so obviously its better to stay for a long time. Its much better on a hot day, as the Farmington river is fairly cold as it pools up behind a dam farther up stream. It's also a good idea to go with friends, as it can be a bit boring otherwise on the final stretch. There are also some tube swings along the river you can jump off.

CatBeau

I mean that when I say that! When we went there everyone I was with panicked and flipped over, I had no problem! It is a bit pricy but worth it on a hot day.

Grusty

This is a great way to spend a hot Summer day, especially after a few rainy days. You don't want to do this during an extended dry spell when the water is too low. There are lots of places to stop and have a little picnic lunch. Be sure to wear some old sneakers or some kind of sturdy water shoes.

286stever

I first went here with my grandfather, they were farming the area since before the Civil War. He said the name goes way back, who knows why. Maybe, because the winter were long & hard in the area and so many died off. The area is built up now, but its mostly like it was in the 1950's. Just a lot more traffic, but the river is the same.

daniels365

Definitely no better way to cool off the summer heat than by tubing down the farmington river! nice little rapids and the splashing is quite refreshing on a hot August day!

KLangheld

Like most people who go to Satan's Kingdom State park we went for the tubing. We paid for parking and tube rental which covered life preservers, tube and the shuttle back to our car. On a hot day the park is crowded and the river is packed with people drifting the 3 hours to the pick up point. The water is clean and crisp and the float is refreshing. There are 2 small rapids for excitement and they are well monitored with life guards. Even on a crowded day you'll enjoy the the cold refreshing water and the relaxed time on the river. Great for groups and kids from 7 up.

mouse5580

if you have a couple friends and some rope and two cars.. I HIGHLY recommend buying your own tubes and life vests and going down the river on your own. There is a drop off in the parking area where there are stairs that go down to the river, and park in the lot just ahead of where the bus picks you up. This way you can do it multiple times in a season without breaking the bank... If your not into it pay the 20 bucks its a lot of fun!.. But if your of age toss some beers into a tube sock an tie it to your tube and set your self up along the side of the river and have a great afternoon. Great date family afternoon or a great way for a bunch of friends to enjoy a nice summer afternoon. Be sure the water is high enough and dont go too late or you will get eaten alive by the mosquitos!... Have fun!!!

870SharonW

Heart thumping rapids on a tube. Bus picks you up at the end of ride, which probably is an hour long on the river.

MelvinT_12

Park your car and walk downstream along a long ago washed out tail track. The vfiews are worth the trip

578105710

I would go tubing every weekend if they just cut the distance in half. You have a ton of fun in the first half, going over some small rapids, but then the river stands still and you have to paddle the rest of the way. Your arms will be jello, and cut from the edges of the tubes. The water is beyond freezing and you will be so numb and miserable by the end. Don't go if theres a droubt, because you will either have to get out and walk in some parts where the water is so low, or at least scratch up your butt pretty good on some hidden rocks. Otherwise it's a great thing to do with friends or some older kids. You can also bring your own rafts or rent one next door (probably much better quality) and go on your own without paying. Lots of people float down with a cooler of beer. Theres a spot where you can get out and go over the rapids again and again, and another with a giant rock you can jump off of. A pretty fun time until the last leg.

rpm455

Ok, here it is : when I was in the few rapids or a current that moved me, it was GREAT!However, I was disappointed in how SlOwwwwwww it was otherwise. Honestly, I thought the river would be high because of the rain we've had, but it was NOT. Evidently the damn Dam regulates the flow of water. So, it was not what I wanted which was faster. The last 45 minutes the river is more like a pond with very, very little flow. I am going to suggest a Tow Rope be constructed because by the end of the trip, I just wanted OUT and it was difficult getting to the end.

nmrkev

Had wonderful time floating down Farmington River with 9 & 12 year olds - very easy to get into and enjoy ~2hr of time on the river. Great way to cool down and spend time together with tubing and swimming. Thrill-seekers (i.e. older kids) might find the pace a little slow, but otherwise very fun.

SteveB716

lots of fun in the outdoors. good for young and old alike

Ex-Buffalonian

If you've ever wondered what the Satan Kingdom's Gorge looks like, the perfect vantage point is from the middle of an inner tube floating down the West Branch of the Farmington. Plenty of parking, inner tubes supplied by a commercial operation- and pick-up by "Tubers" school bus approx. 2 miles downriver. Even a little white water when there's been rain- and a very pleasant experience. You can also see remnants of railroad bridges and embankments through the gorge if vegetation allows: the Central New England and the New Haven both traversed the rugged gorge on their way to Pine Meadow and New Hartford in the 1880's up to the 50's for the New Haven's line. Hawks and even owls can occasionally be spotted. Wonderful family fun.(Fee for tube- not for park and trails)