Cotton Hollow Preserve

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cotton Hollow Preserve is a 80-acre nature reserve located in South Glastonbury, Connecticut.


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Summary

There are several reasons to visit the preserve, including hiking, bird watching, and fishing. The preserve is home to several species of birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and blue herons. The area also features several waterfalls, rock formations, and a gorge.

One of the main points of interest at Cotton Hollow Preserve is the 40-foot waterfall, which is a popular spot for visitors to take photos. Another highlight is the gorge, which is 80 feet deep and features stunning rock formations. Visitors can explore the area by hiking on the preserve's trails, which range from easy to moderate levels of difficulty.

Interesting facts about Cotton Hollow Preserve include that it was once a site for textile mills in the 1800s, and that remnants of the mills can still be seen today. The preserve was established in 2004 by the Connecticut Audubon Society to protect the area's natural beauty and wildlife.

The best time of year to visit Cotton Hollow Preserve is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the preserve is open year-round and offers different experiences during each season. In the winter, visitors can go ice fishing on the preserve's ponds, and in the summer, they can swim in the nearby river.

Overall, Cotton Hollow Preserve is a beautiful and peaceful destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers. Its unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance make it a must-visit location in Connecticut.

       

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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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