CT State Parks and Forests Main Page Park Location Route 151 East Hampton (Directions) Park Contact Information Hurd State Park c/o Eastern District HQ 209 Hebron Road Marlborough, CT 06447 State Park (860) 295-9523 {Link to Purchase a State Park Season Pass}   {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} ACCESSIBILITY This park is managed as a natural area and has minimal facility development. HOURS: The park is open from 8 am to sunset. Gates are closed after the first snow falls, and open after it melts in the Spring. There is winter parking available for hiking, and cross-country skiing.  PETS: Pets on a leash are permitted in all areas except 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

{Hurd State Park} Hurd State Park East Hampton Visit Hurd State Park and enjoy scenic views of the Connecticut River while surrounded by nature. Activities Facilities Directions Map History Activities {Bird Watching} Birding {Picnicking} Picnicking {Hiking} Hiking {Camping} Camping {Mountain Biking} Mountain Biking Boat Camping Three boat camping areas along the Connecticut River at Hurd, Gillette Castle and Selden Neck State Parks are managed by the Department of Environmental Protection for your enjoyment. The campsites are available from May 1 through September 30 exclusively for overnight stops by those traveling on the river. More Information Facilities This park is a designated "walk-in" facility.  Parking is available at the main gate and near the gate at the intersection of Route 151 and Hurd Park Road. Picnic Shelters, Picnic Tables, Pit Toilets {Forest Floor at Hurd State Park} Hurd State Park, East Hampton Directions From the North: I-91 south. Take Exit 20 (left exit) onto Route 9. Take a right onto Route 66 and follow Route 66. Take a right onto Route 151. Hurd State Park is on the right. From the South: I-95 north. Take Exit 69 onto Route 9 north. Take Exit 7 and proceed on  Route 82 across the East Haddam Bridge. Continue on Route 82 and take a left onto Route 151. Follow Route 151.  Hurd State Park is on the left. From the East: I-395 South to Route 2. Follow Route 2 west to Route 16. Follow Route 16 west to Cobalt. Take a left onto Route 151. Follow Route 151.  Hurd State Park is on the right. From the West: I-84 east.  Take Exit 27 onto I-691. Follow I-691, which becomes Route 66. From Route 66 take a right onto Route 151. Hurd State Park is on the right. Fees   Information on Season Passes There is no parking fee at Hurd State Park. Gates are closed after the first snow falls, and open after it melts in the Spring. There is winter parking available for hiking, and cross-country skiing.  More Information Map Hurd State Park Map (996 K) History In 1914, only one year after the establishment of a State Park Commission, the state purchased 150 acres of the present Hurd Park as part of an initiative to obtain land for public use along the Connecticut River.  Situated in the town of East Hampton on the east bank of the river, the park has grown to almost 1000 acres and is especially popular with small boat owners.  Many of these boaters recognize the park by its landmark "split rock" towering above the trees. In the granite ledges of the split rock are veins of feldspar which was once mined extensively in Connecticut.  Shortly after its acquisition, Hurd became the focus of legal action to determine the ownership of mining privileges at the park.  The resulting court decision fortunately favored the State and averted the possible desolation of some 130 acres of land. The park is named after the Hurd family, which came to the Middle Haddam region from Massachusetts in 1710 and settled on the level bench of land high above the river. Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include: Cockaponset State Forest, Haddam Location: 9 miles south of Middletown off Route 9 Activities: Fishing, Hiking, Hunting Charge: None {Hurd State Park} Hurd State Park Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam Location: 4 miles south of East Haddam off Route 82 Activities: Castle Tours, Hiking, Picnicking, Scenic Vista Charge:  Per Person Admission Fee for Castle Haddam Meadows State Park, Haddam  Location: 3 miles south of Higganum off Route 9A Activities: Boating, Fishing Charge: None Millers Pond State Park Reserve, Durham Location: Off of Foothills Road in Durham Activities: Fishing, Hiking Charge: None Related Links Connecticut Tourism Information Boating Information {Link to Top of Page}