Day Pond State Park & Salmon River State Forest

Day Pond State Park & Salmon River State Forest

Town: Colchester and East Hampton

Directions: Take I395 north to Route 2 west to Route 149 south at exit 16. Stay on Route 149 for three miles and make a hard right onto Peck Lane, then a left onto Day Pond Road.

There is also a trailhead at the end of the Comstock Bridge Connector on Bridge Street off Route 16 in East Hampton.

Where to Park: Parking is available around the pond and outside the main gates.

Description: The blue-blazed Salmon River Trail, maintained by Connecticut Forest and Park Association volunteers, starts in Day pond State Park then enters the 6,000-acre Salmon River State Forest. Hiking is mostly easy to moderate, and passes by an interesting old stone foundation.

The entire loop trail, including the connector spur to the waterfalls on Day Pond Brook, is about three miles.

The two-mile Comstock Bridge Connector off the south loop goes along the Salmon River and ends at the covered bridge.

Regulations: Open 8 a.m. to sunset; dogs must be on a leash.

Amenities: Bathrooms and outhouses; picnic tables and picnic shelter; pond stocked with trout.

Natural Features: Waterfall along Day Pond Brook; scenic vistas along Comstock Bridge Connector trail.

Fees: Entrance fees charged on weekends and holidays from the third Saturday in April through Columbus Day weekend; after Columbus Day, main gate closed but hikers can park along Day Pond Road near the front gate and walk around the pond to the trail entrances.

Things to Note: Some large trees that fell during fall 2011 storms lay across the trail in several spots. Trail is mostly well marked, although there are some spots where the blue markers are faded or hard to locate.

Owned by: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

More information: Day Pond State Park: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&;q=325184&depNav_GID=1650

Salmon River State Forest: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&;q=325074&depNav_GID=1650