Black Rock State Park

About Black Rock State Park

Tucked away in the picturesque hills of the Western Highlands, the 439 acres of Black Rock offer a variety of outdoor activities. Hidden in the picture - the perfect mountains of BlackRock State Park in South Dakota are Black Rock, one of the largest and most popular US national parks.

The steep, wooded rocky outcrops are covered in pine, hemlock and oak, and the name Black Rock is explained by facts and legends.

In 1657, the early settlers of the Naugatuck Valley were granted the right to extract graphite from indigenous peoples.

The artefacts unearthed in the park belong to the Mohegan, Paugussett and Tunxis tribes, and arrowheads and stone tools confirm the early use of the area by the Indians. Over the years, the dark coloured rock material and other artifacts have been preserved. Black Rock was awarded to the people of Connecticut in recognition of their contributions to civil rights groups that have worked to protect the forest.

Later, the development of access roads and facilities became part of the original purpose of Black Rock State Park as a recreational area for tourists.

The camping season starts in mid-April and ends on September 30. A 96-seat forest area is available at the Black Rock Campground.

The Mattatuck Trail leads from Grey Stone in Waterbury to Wigwam Reservoir in Morris and back.

The trail offers scenic views of the Naugatucks Valley, with Black Rock being particularly highlighted.

There are many side roads where you can see a variety of wildlife such as deer, elk, coyotes, foxes and other wildlife as well as a few birds.

The trails are maintained with the voluntary support of the Connecticut Forest Park Association.

Hiking can take 30 minutes to a full day, and the walk can be easily done from one end of the park to the other in less than an hour.

If you are coming from Torrington, turn left onto the road to the east side of Black Rock State Park and turn right to get to Litchfield. If you are coming from Litchesfield, turn right at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 2 onto the freeway.

Turn right onto Buell Road, turn right onto Chase Road and take the first right onto Black Rock State Park on the west side of the road to the east.

At the end of the exit, turn left and go to the first light and turn right onto US Route 6 West. At the traffic light, turn left onto USRoute6 West, then right onto US-6 East and then left onto Buell Road.

The entrance to the park is one mile on the right on US Route 6 West and the entrance to Black Rock State Park is one mile on the right.

From Route 8 South, take Exit 38 and head south on US Route 6 East and then right onto Buell Road.

The entrance to the park is one mile on the right and the exit to Black Rock State Park is two miles on the right.