CT State Parks and Forests Main Page Park Location Sunset Hill Road Redding (Directions) Park Contact Information Collis P. Huntington State Park c/o Putnam  Memorial State Park 492 Black Road Turnpike Redding, CT 06896 (203) 938-2285 {Link to Purchase a State Park Season Pass}   {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} ACCESSIBILITY This park is not handicapped accessible. HOURS: The park is open from 8 am to sunset. PETS: Pets on a leash are permitted. STATE PARKS CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: dep.stateparks @ct.gov Telephone: (860) 424-3200 (866) 287-2757 (Toll Free in CT) Fax: (860) 424-4070

{Collis P. Huntington State Park} Collis P. Huntington State Park Redding Life-like sculptures of bears and wolves welcome your arrival to this peaceful and tranquil setting featuring open fields and dense woodlands.  The park was donated to the citizens of Connecticut by the internationally renowned Huntington family.   Attention Park Users- Collis P. Huntington State Park is open to archery-only deer hunting from Sept. 15th to Dec. 31st.  Hunters may only park in parking areas designated with pink arrows (see map).  The red shaded area near Old Dodgingtown Road is closed to hunting due to high public use.  Hunters may park in the parking lot at end of Old Dodgingtown Road, unless the entrance gate is locked.  It is recommended that park visitors wear bright colors for their safety.  Outdoor Safety Tips   Activities Facilities Directions Map History Activities {Canoeing} Canoeing {Horseback Riding} Horseback Riding {Cross-Country Skiing} Cross-Country Skiing {Mountain Biking} Mountain Biking {Hiking} Hiking {Pond Fishing} Pond Fishing (5 ponds) Facilities Pit Toilets {Collis P. Huntington State Park} Collis P. Huntington State Park, Redding Directions Off I-84 Eastbound: Take Exit 5. At stop sign, continue straight to traffic light.  Turn right onto Main Street and travel to its end (1.25 miles).  Turn left onto South Street, at 2nd light follow Route 53 into Bethel.  At Route 53 and Route 302 follow Route 302 east for 1.6 miles. At Route 58 and Route 302, follow Route 58 south for 4.6 miles then take a left onto Sunset Hill Road. Collis P. Huntington is 0.8 miles on the right.   Off I-84 Westbound:  Take Exit 9.  Take Route 25 South for approximately 3 miles, then turn west onto Route 302 for 6 miles.  At Route 58 and Route 302, follow Route 58 south for 4.6 miles then take a left onto Sunset Hill Road. Collis P. Huntington is 0.8 miles on the right.    Off Merritt Parkway Southbound: Take Exit 42. Take Route 136 north for 5.2 miles, at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 58, follow Route 58 for 7 miles then take a right onto Sunset Hill Road. Collis P. Huntington is 0.8 miles on the right.   Off Merritt Parkway Northbound:  Take Exit 44.  Take Route 58 North for approximately 10 miles.  Turn right onto Sunset Hill.  Collis P. Huntington is 0.8 miles on the right. Fees   Information on Season Passes There is no parking fee at Collis P. Huntington State Park. More Information Map Park Map (pdf) History Collis P. Huntington State Park was primarily in agricultural use until the Luttgen family acquired the land in the late 1800's and developed the present service roads, trails, and artificial ponds. Reportedly, a small steam paddlewheeler was then kept on the largest pond and is now sunken somewhere under the park waters. A short, stone "lighthouse" still remains on one of the islands. The Starratt family then owned the estate until the 1930's when the land was acquired by Archer M. Huntington, who willed the land of the homestead he called Stanerigg for a state park. It was there that his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, the internationally famous sculptress, worked with clay and scaffolding in her studio. Mr. Huntington centered his activities at Stanerigg as a noted poet, Spanish scholar, art patron, and founder of the Hispanic Society. The park is named after Archer Huntington's father, Collis Potter Huntington (1821-1900), the railroad tycoon. Collis Potter Huntington became one of the wealthiest men in the country in the late century by his promotion and completion of the first transcontinental railroad. He also established the largest shipyard and dry dock company in the United States in the late 1800's at Newport News, Virginia. The estate will most be remembered for Anna Hyatt Huntington, whose sculptures of bears and wolves welcome visitors at the park entrance. Among the most famous of her sculptures are Joan of Arc in New York City; Cid Campeador in Seville, Spain; and the heroic statue of General Israel Putnam at the Putnam Memorial State Park entrance in Redding. Mrs. Huntington was a prolific and hard working artist all her life. The work of Israel Putnam was created when the artist was in her nineties. Since Mr. and Mrs. Huntington were careful to preserve the natural quality of their land, the 883 acre park is now a wonderful place for tranquility. It spreads over fields and dense woodlands and includes five ponds. The park was opened to the public in 1973 after Mrs. Huntington's death. Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include:  Kettletown State Park, Southbury Location: 5 miles south of Southbury, Exit 15 off I-84 Activities: Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking, Swimming Charge:: Weekends and holidays, in season {Collis P. Huntington State Park} Collis P. Huntington State Park  Putnam Memorial State Park, Redding Location: Southeast of Danbury at the junction of Routes 58 & 107 Activities: Fishing, Historic Interpretation, Picnicking Charge: None Related Links Connecticut Tourism Information Fishing Information {Link to Top of Page}