Old Tavern Road Recreation Area
Rate this placeNearby: Nike Site Park Cynthia Circle Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Old Tavern Road Recreation Area is a beautiful park located in Orange, Connecticut.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
One of the top reasons to visit this area is to enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings. The park boasts several hiking trails that wind through dense forests and along peaceful streams. With picnic areas, restrooms, and a playground, this park is perfect for families looking to spend a day outdoors.
One of the main points of interest at Old Tavern Road Recreation Area is the historic, one-room Old Tavern Schoolhouse. This schoolhouse, which dates back to the 18th century, is a fascinating piece of local history and is open to visitors during certain times of the year.
One of the most interesting facts about Old Tavern Road Recreation Area is that it was once the site of a colonial-era tavern. This tavern was an important stop on the route from New Haven to Hartford and played a significant role in the area's history.
The best time of year to visit Old Tavern Road Recreation Area is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the trees are at their most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.
Overall, Old Tavern Road Recreation Area is a beautiful and historic park that offers something for everyone. Whether you're interested in hiking, history, or just enjoying a day in nature, this park is definitely worth a visit.
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
Nike Site Park
Cynthia Circle Park
Anderson Avenue Playground
Brewster Field
Shingle Hill Park
Lake Housatonic
Quillinan Reservoir
Lake Wintergreen
Picketts Pond
Fountain Lake Reservoir