Bluff Point Trail, Bluff Point State Park, Connecticut

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, fishing, paddling, horseback riding biking

LENGTH OF HIKE: 3.6 miles

OUT AND BACK OR LOOP: Loop

DIFFICULTY OF TERRAIN: Easy

ELEVATION GAIN: 190 feet

PARKING FEE/PASS: No

TOILETS: Yes

CHANGING TABLE: No

NURSING BENCHES: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

BIKES/HORSES ON TRAIL: Yes

CELL RECEPTION: Yes

DRINKING WATER AVAILABLE: No

POTENTIAL CHILD OR BABY HAZARDS: Hiking near water

GEAR SUGGESTIONS: Studded shoes or other traction in winter

One of the last remaining undeveloped parts of Connecticut, this 806-acre park is pretty no matter what time of year you go. Hike next to the Long Island Sound, and when you get out to the farthest point of the loop, look off in the distance for a lighthouse. You will be able to see pretty far out into the water. Take the main trail, which runs out into the water. Take the main trail, which runs for about a mile all along the coastline to the beach. This is a dog-friendly walk, but remember to bring a leash. Do the whole loop for around 3.6 miles. If you are a sunset lover, this is your spot. They are breathtaking year-round. It’s especially nice that there is so  much tree coverage for the paths, because the wind coming off the water can be  bitter in winter. The path is a wide dirt road covered with honeysuckle in the summer, so make sure to breathe deeply when you pass through. This is a really nice hike for groups and if you have elderly or family members in a wheelchair or using a walker, although it is a bumpy dirt road, so don’t expect pavement.

Regardless of season, the views are phenomenal with leaves changing in the fall,  frostcovered grounds in the winter, and warm breezes in the summer. Animal-wise, there are deer, ducks, and whatever you could expect to find in a salt marsh. The birds are plentiful, with over 200 species, several of which are uncommon species of gulls, shorebirds, and land birds. The area is surrounded by the Poquonnock River to the west and a treefilled coastal reserve to the east, which keeps the trail cool on a hot day. The only way to get out to the point is to walk or bike the 1.5 miles.

This area is a family favorite, so expect to see a lot of toddlers. The wide trail makes it easy to use a stroller or wagon around this park, thus an influx of families. If you want to get off the beaten path, there are other trails shooting off the main thoroughfare that are more single track. If you choose to venture onto these trails,  keep in mind there may be mountain bikers, so don’t allow your toddler to run too far ahead.

As you head back to your car, you might notice Sunset Rock, a giant boulder on the side of the trail that was once a place of Sunday worship for locals who lived in little cabins on the beach. These cabins were wiped out at some point in history by a hurricane. Also, if you want to catch a little piece of history and take the time to look for it, you might find the remnants of a structure that burned down in the 1600s that was the former home of Governor John Winthrop Jr., the son of John Winthrop Sr., who was the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

WHY IT’S A FAVORITE
“We like going here whn we visit my husband’s family, because kids of all ages enjoy it, as well as parents and grandparents. Older kids can mountain bike,  smaller kids can use strider bikes pretty easily, and parents can use strollers or carriers. If the loop is too long for your outing, it’s just as easy to do an out and back, and you can choose to be near the water or be more in the trees.” —LINDSAY FROST

INSIDER’S TIP
Yaktrax could be helpful in winter for extra traction. The trail is very popular and any snow gets packed down quickly. The area has a large free parking lot. Keep an eye out for the trail that connects this park to Haley Farm State Park, which has even more beautiful trails to explore.