Penwood State Park

About Penwood State Park

Just a short drive from Capitol City, Penwood State Park offers beautiful views of the Capitol skyline and the city of Washington, D.C. D.C. Curtis H. Veeder wanted to preserve his beloved hills so that those who love nature can enjoy the property while enjoying nearly 800 acres. A significant part of this public area is located in the northern parts of the Talcott Mountains. Long wooded ridges dominate, and a significant part of them lie within the boundaries of the park.

An industrialist, inventor and outsider, Veeder was an early pioneer in the development of parking in Washington, D.C. An early map of Penwood shows the location of the park at the foot of the Talcott Mountains, north of Capitol City.

In April, when snow falls, colourful wildflowers cover the earth with gravel and, fittingly, much of Penwood is now littered with flames. Many of the paths were built to observe the stars, the moon and other celestial objects such as the Milky Way. For measurements, often in the dark, complex theodolite instruments and flashlights were used to create real meridian lines for the exact position of stars.

Occasionally, hikers can spot birds such as spotted woodpeckers (of which there are billions) and other birds of prey, as well as other wildlife.

Most of the trails start and end at the picnic area, but some trails are marked with nature trails created by the Youth Protection Corps. Donors have requested that the Penwood area be excluded from activities such as camping, horse riding and camping.

A comprehensive pathway system is in place, voluntarily supported by the Connecticut Forest Park Association. For information about participating in hiking tours throughout the state, please contact the Penwood State Park Recreation Department at (203) 543-5555. The trail leads up to Lake Louise and past the summit of Great Lakes National Park and the New Haven National Forest.

From 91 North or South, take Exit 35B, which is the Bloomfield Exit on Route 218, and follow Cottage Grove Road westbound until you reach Route 185. From Simsbury, follow Route 185 to a road known as Cottages Grove Road and take this road to the entrance to Penwood State Park.

At the top of the hill, the entrance to Penwood is on the right at the end of Cottages Grove Road, west of Route 185. From Route 91 North or South Exit on Route 218, take the Route 44 exit and take the Route 44 exit on the south side of town, and then take Exit 35B on Cottage Grove.

Route 185 follows Bloomfield and reaches Simsbury at the end of Cottages Grove Road, west of the entrance to Penwood State Park.

On top of the hill is the left side of Penwood, the right side of Simsbury and the other side of Cottages Grove Road.