Camping and Hiking in Black Rock State Park, Connecticut
Camping in the northeast part of the nation can be a delightful experience during the summer and fall seasons. Specifically, the western part of Connecticut offers both state and regional parks for camping which cover acres of natural land. Litchfield County is home to many of these camping areas and one favorite is the Black Rock State Park located in Watertown on Route 6. Black Rock stretches over Thomaston, Watertown, and part of Waterbury. The park is named for the graphite found in the area by settlers in the seventeenth century.
Native tribes such as the Tunxis, Paugussett, and Mohegan lived in the area as a number of their artifacts were located on park lands in 1926. That year the region became a preserved state area. The scenery made it suitable for such preservation and recreation. The Tunxis natives lived in the region that stretched from Farmington to the Naugutuck Valley, Connecticut. The Tunxis were members of the larger Algonquin group. The Tunxis tribe lived along the Farmington River, and were referred to as Sequins, or River Natives. The Mohegans, another Connecticut tribe, survives and operates a casino in Uncasville, while the Paugussett tribe lived in the region that included Litchfield County down to the Long Island Sound.
Black Rock is home to evergreen and oak trees, hiking trails, and many natural formations. The park has a lake where you can go swimming as well as a trout pond for fishing. The lake is surrounded by a beach where many campers can sunbathe. Children build sandcastles on the beach, just as they would by the ocean. Fishing permits are available through any city hall or Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) store. Camping facilities include 96 camp sites in Black Rock. The main hiking trail that winds through Black Rock is the Mattatuck trail, which extends through the Mattatuck State Forest in the region. The trail is marked with blue blazes. If you choose to go hiking through Black Rock without having to access the park entrance, you can. Limited parking is available on Route 6 where the Mattatuck trail crosses the road. There are minor trails in the park that lead to the Mattatuck Trail. Hiking is especially nice during the fall season when the trees change color to shades of red, burgundy, and yellow. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park, and bathroom and shower facilities are available. The park is closed in the winter time due the heavy snowfalls common in New England. There is a fee if you plan to camp at Black Rock State Park during the open seasons. Pets are not allowed in the campground area; they are only allowed on the hiking trails and must be on a leash at all times.
Image Credit: Zindbar.
