CT State Parks and Forests Main Page Forest Location East River Road Barkhamsted (Directions) Forest Contact Information Peoples State Forest P.O. Box 1 Pleasant Valley, CT 06063 Campground Office (May - September) (860) 379-0922 Forest Office (860) 379-2469 {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} ACCESSIBILITY This forest offers: {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Campground Toilets {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Parking {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Picnic Tables {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Picnic Shelter HOURS: The forest recreation areas are open from 8 am to sunset. Other forest areas are open one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. PETS: Pets on a leash are permitted. Campers may have one pet per campsite. STATE PARKS CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: dep.stateparks @ct.gov Telephone: (860) 424-3200 (866) 287-2757 (Toll Free in CT) Fax: (860) 424-4070

{Peoples State Forest} American Legion and Peoples State Forests Barkhamsted Four season fun can be found at American Legion/Peoples State Forests which offer the region's finest fishing, hunting and winter sporting activities nestled amid the wooded splendor. Activities Facilities Directions Map History Activities {Biking} Bicycling (Roads Only) {Hiking} Hiking {Camping} Camping {Hunting} Hunting {Car-Top Boating} Canoeing and Kayaking (River) {Picnicking} Picnicking {Cross-Country Skiing} Cross-Country Skiing {Snowmobiling} Snowmobiling {Field Sports} Field Sports {Camping} Youth Group Camping {Fishing} Freshwater Fishing Letterboxing Camping American Legion State Forest offers 30 sites in a wooded setting. The camping season begins in mid-April and ends Columbus Day. More Information Youth Group Camping is available at American Legion and Peoples State Forests. More Information Trails American Legion Henry Buck Trail (Blue blazed) Starts at the old bridge site on West River Road 2.5 miles north of Pleasant Valley. The trail leads up through the forest to the ruins of an old cheese box mill, climbs the Tremendous Cliffs which offer a good overlook, and continues down the north slope to about .3 miles north of the starting point. Peoples Agnes Bowen Trail (Orange): Starts at the Museum and proceeds north to the James Stocking Recreation Area, crossing the Pack Trail near Beaver Brook, to Beaver Swamp; follows Beaver Brook Road for several hundred feet, proceeding westerly to a crossing of Greenwoods Road, and southerly to East River Road, about a mile north of the starting point. The trail is a traditional 1930's ski trail. Distance - 2.5 miles. Charles Pack Trail (Yellow): Starts at Greenwoods Road north of the James Stocking Area; runs southeasterly crossing the Bowen Trail near Beaver Brook; crosses the brook and leads northerly past an old cellar hole, crossing Pack Grove Road, and through Pack Grove to cross the road again at Beaver Brook Bridge; then, running northwesterly to the recreation area on Greenwoods Road. Distance - 1.9 miles. Elliott Bronson Trail (Red): Starts at Greenwoods Road near the Museum, runs through the southern portion of the forest crossing a 60' cliff with a good view; terminates on a town road near Route 181. Distance - 1.5 miles. Jessie Gerard Trail (Yellow): Starts at East River Road near the old Indian Settlement known as Barkhamsted Lighthouse. The right trail fork goes through the lighthouse site and continues northerly to the Chaugham Lookouts. The left trail fork climbs more directly to the overlooks by 299 stone steps. The views from this area are some of the best in the state. Continuing north, the trail passes between the Veeder Boulders to the picnic area on Greenwoods Road. Distance - 1.3 miles. Robert Ross Trail (Blue): Starts at the end of Warner Road, runs westerly to the Jessie Gerard Trail; and then southerly along the west side of the ridge, to the end of King Road; proceeds to the Museum and westerly to East River Road. Distance - 2 miles. Stone Museum Programs Seasonal interpretive programs are based at the Stone Museum, a nature museum, open weekends between Memorial Day and Columbus Day offering displays on forestry, mammals, Native American culture, and local history. Several guided hikes are offered from May through October. More information {Leaving DEP Website} Facilities Flush Toilets, Museum (Seasonal), Picnic Shelter, Picnic Tables Picnic Shelter Rental Information {Pavilion at Peoples State Forest} Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted Directions American Legion State Forest Route 44 east from Winsted to Route 318 east to Pleasant Valley; or Route 44 west from New Hartford to Route 181 north to Pleasant Valley. Peoples State Forest Off Route 44: take Route 318 in Barkhamsted. Go across the steel bridge and take an immediate left onto East River Road. The recreation area is approximately 1 mile up on the left. Fees There are separate weekend/holiday and camping fees at Peoples State Forest and Campground. More Information Map Camping Map (33 K) Hiking Map (1203 K) Cross Country Skiing Map ( 3316 K) History American Legion Located in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted, the initial 213 acres of this forest were a gift from the American Legion in 1927 to provide citizens an example of proper forest management as observed by U.S. soldiers throughout Europe during World War I. The West Branch of the Farmington River, designated as a Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service, is the center point of river-based recreational activities including trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking and tubing. Rugged terrain with steep, rocky hillsides typifies the remainder of the forest. The Henry Buck Trail, which winds through the forest for 2.1 miles, passes by historic mill sites and offers a view of beautiful rock formations as well as the river valley. The Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground provides thirty spacious campsites near the river. Peoples Peoples State Forest is located in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted. The forest was established in 1924 through the efforts of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association which coordinated subscriptions for donations. The donations came from citizens groups such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Connecticut Federation of Women's Clubs and many other groups and individuals who purchased land and donated it to the people of Connecticut for approximately $8.00 an acre. The West Branch of the Farmington River, designated as a Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service, is the center point of river-based recreational activities including trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking and tubing. Other attractions include the 200 year old white pine picnic groves in the Matthies Grove and Whittemore Recreation Areas, over 11 miles of hiking trails, the Barkhamsted Lighthouse and other cultural and historic sites. See American Legion State Forest for nearby camping opportunities. Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include: Burr Pond State Park, Torrington  Location: 5 miles north of Torrington, on old Route 8 Activities: Picnicking, Swimming, Fishing, Boating, Hiking Charge: Daily, in season Penwood State Park, Bloomfield Location: Route 185 across from the Talcott Mountain parking area Activities: Picnicking, Hiking, Vista, Biking, Ski Touring Charge: None Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury Location: 2 miles west of Simsbury on Route 309 Activities: Biking, Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking, Swimming Charge: Daily, in season Related Links Connecticut Tourism Information Fishing Information Hunting Information Boating Information {Link to Top of Page}