Chatfield Hollow State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Chatfield Hollow State Park is a popular recreational area located in Killingworth, Connecticut.


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Summary

The park offers several reasons to visit, including hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The park has several points of interest, including a small lake, a nature center, and a beautiful waterfall. The park also has several hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels, allowing visitors to explore the area's natural beauty.

Visitors can enjoy fishing in the park's pond, which is stocked with trout. The park also has several picnic areas with tables and grills, making it an ideal spot for a family outing. The nature center at Chatfield Hollow State Park offers educational exhibits and interactive displays that teach visitors about the area's wildlife and natural history.

Interesting facts about the park include that it was established in 1949 and covers over 400 acres of land. The park is also home to several species of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, red foxes, and coyotes.

The best time of year to visit Chatfield Hollow State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as ice skating and cross-country skiing.

Overall, Chatfield Hollow State Park is an excellent destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its beautiful scenery, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and educational exhibits, the park has something to offer visitors of all ages and interests.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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