CT State Parks and Forests Main Page Park Location  US Route 6 Watertown Park Contact Information Park Office (May - September) (860)-283-8088 Black Rock State Park c/o Topsmead State Forest P.O. Box 1081 Litchfield, CT  06759 (860) 567-5694 {Link to Purchase a State Park Season Pass}   {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} ACCESSIBILITY This park offers: {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Bathrooms {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Parking {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Picnic Tables HOURS: The park is open from 8 am to sunset. Gates are open on weekends only, from the third Saturday in April until Memorial Day, 8 am to sunset. From Memorial Day to October 31st, they are open daily between 8 am and sunset. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Alcohol-free park.  Please do not bring alcoholic beverages. WATER QUALITY: Current information on swimming water quality. PETS: Pets on a leash are permitted in picnic areas and on hiking trails.  Pets are not allowed on the beach or in the campground. STATE PARKS CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: dep.stateparks@ct.gov Telephone: (860) 424-3200 (866) 287-2757 (Toll Free in CT) Fax: (860) 424-4070

{Black Rock State Park} Black Rock State Park Watertown Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Highlands. Activities Facilities Directions Map History Activities {Camping} Camping {Picnicking} Picnicking {Car-Top Boating} Hiking {Pond Fishing} Pond Fishing {Field Sports} Field Sports {Swimming} Swimming Camping There are 96 sites in a wooded setting that are available in Black Rock Campground.  The camping season begins in mid-April and ends September 30. More Information Fishing Black Rock is a designated Trout Park. Please see Trout Parks for important information. Facilities Bathrooms, Food Concessions, Picnic Tables Note to Swimmers:  Please read the Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information before entering the park Hiking Excellent hiking is available on the Mattatuck Trail from the Grey Stone section of Waterbury to the Wigwam Reservoir in Morris. This trail offers a scenic view of the Naugatuck Valley, highlighting Black Rock. There are many side trails where one can see Black Rock Lake, Black Rock Pond, mature forests and meadows. Hikes can be from 30 minutes to all day. Hiking trails are maintained in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, which provides volunteer assistance. For information on volunteering for trail activities throughout the state contact the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT 06481. Directions From Route 8 north:  take Exit 38.  Turn left at the end of the exit ramp to first traffic light.  Turn left at traffic light onto US Route 6 west.  Park entrance is a 1/2 mile on the right on US Route 6. From Route 8 south:  take Exit 38.  Go straight ahead at the end of the exit ramp to US Route 6 west.  Park entrance is on the right. Fees   Information on Season Passes There is a daily parking fee in season.  Campsite fees are charged separately. Gates are open on weekends only, from the third Saturday in April until Memorial Day, 8 am to sunset. From Memorial Day to October 31st, they are open daily between 8 am and sunset. More Information Map Camping Map (396 K) Hiking Map (Color, 617 K) Hiking Map (B/W, 156 K) History Tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Highlands, 439-acre Black Rock offers a variety of outdoor activities. Steep, wooded ledges covered with pine, hemlock and oak provide the setting for Black Rock Pond. Both fact and legend account for the name "Black Rock." Early settlers to the Naugatuck Valley were given rights to mine graphite lead by the resident Indians around 1657. The description given the contrasting darker-colored rock material has persisted through the years. Early use of the area by Native Americans has been confirmed by the arrowheads and stone implements. Artifacts unearthed at the park belonged to members of the Mohegan, Paugussett and Tunxis tribes. Black Rock was given to the people of Connecticut in 1926 through the efforts of Black Rock Forest, Incorporated, a citizen's conservation group interested in woodland preservation. Development of access roads and facilities later became part of the Civilian Conservation Corps' economic recovery program. Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include: Burr Pond State Park, Torrington Location: 5 miles north of Torrington on Route 8 Activities: Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking, Swimming Charge: Daily, in season {Black Rock Pond} Black Rock Pond Mt. Tom State Park, Litchfield Location: 3 1/2 miles west of Bantam off Route 202 Activities: Picnicking, Swimming, Fishing, Hiking, Boating (non-motor) Charge: Daily, in season Topsmead State Forest, Litchfield Location: 1/2 mile east of Litchfield off Route 118. Turn left (coming from Torrington) or right (coming from Litchfield) onto East Litchfield Road.  Proceed to the first right and turn onto Buell Road.  Follow for 1/8 mile. Turn right onto Chase Road.  The entrance road is on the right Activities: Walking, House Tours, Birding, Cross Country Skiing Charge: None Related Links Connecticut Tourism Information Fishing Information {Link to Top of Page}