College Woods Park
Rate this placeNearby: Foote School Field East Rock Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
College Woods Park is a popular natural area and hiking destination located in New Haven, Connecticut.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park covers approximately 48 acres and features four miles of hiking trails that wind through a variety of landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and open fields.
Visitors to College Woods Park can enjoy a range of activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking. Some of the park's notable features include a butterfly garden, a pond, and a boardwalk that crosses through a wetland area.
One of the most interesting facts about College Woods Park is that it is located on the site of a former golf course that was abandoned in the 1970s. Over time, the area has been transformed into a thriving natural area that is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species.
The best time of year to visit College Woods Park is during the spring and summer months, when the park's trails are at their most verdant and the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. However, visitors should be aware that the park can be quite crowded on weekends and holidays, so it may be best to plan a visit during the week if possible.
Overall, College Woods Park is a beautiful and peaceful natural area that offers something for everyone, whether you're looking for a quick hike or a relaxing picnic in the sun. With its stunning views, diverse wildlife, and fascinating history, this is definitely a destination worth exploring in Connecticut.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
Foote School Field
East Rock Park
State Street Triangle
Farnam Memorial Gardens
Prospect Gardens
Quillinan Reservoir
Picketts Pond
Lake Housatonic
Fountain Lake Reservoir
The Gulf