Connecticut College Arboretum

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Connecticut College Arboretum is a 750-acre botanical garden and nature reserve located in the town of New London, Connecticut.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The arboretum offers visitors a variety of hiking trails, gardens, and educational programs.

Some good reasons to visit the Connecticut College Arboretum include the opportunity to explore a vast natural area and learn about the native flora and fauna of Connecticut. The arboretum features over 200 different species of trees, as well as a variety of wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses.

Specific points of interest to see at the arboretum include the native plant collection, the Caroline Black Garden, and the Connecticut College Children's Garden. The arboretum also features a number of hiking trails, including the Azalea Path, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Interesting facts about the Connecticut College Arboretum include the fact that it is home to a number of rare and endangered species, including the eastern tiger salamander and the spotted turtle. The arboretum is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, with over 100 different species of birds spotted within its boundaries.

The best time of year to visit the Connecticut College Arboretum is in the spring and summer, when the gardens are in full bloom and the hiking trails are at their most beautiful. However, the arboretum is open year-round and offers visitors a chance to explore its natural beauty in all seasons.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks