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Talcott Mountain
State Park
Simsbury |
| The beautifully appointed Heublein family dining room awaits hikers at the top of the mountain in the Heublein tower. | |
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 Hiking |
 Picnicking |
 Observation Tower (seasonal) |
 Vista |
Tower and Landscape Tours (Seasonal)
Thursday - Sunday 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
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| The Tower Trail is 1.25 miles long; a walk to the Tower takes approximately 30 - 40 minutes. Also running through the park is a section of the Metacomet Trail, developed and maintained with volunteer assistance by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. For information on volunteering for trail activities throughout the state contact: Connecticut Forest and Park Association. |
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| Heublein Tower may be accessed by walking trail only. |
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| Bathrooms, Picnic Shelter |
Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury |
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| From I-91 North or South: Take Exit 35B, which is the Bloomfield Route 218 exit. This road is also known as Cottage Grove Road. Follow Cottage Grove Road heading west until you hit Route 185. Follow Route 185 heading for Simsbury. At the top of the hill, the entrance to Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower will be on your left. |
| From I-84 East or West: Take the Route 44 Exit. Follow Route 44 heading west until you hit the intersection of Route 218. Take a right on Rte 218 and follow north until you hit Route 185 in Simsbury. Take a left on Route 185 heading for Simsbury. At the top of the hill, Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower is on your left. |
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There is no parking fee at Talcott Mountain State Park.
More Information |
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Park Map (B/W)
Park Map (Color) |
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| The familiar Farmington River Valley landmark of Heublein Tower sits atop Talcott Mountain, a long, precipitous wooded ledge named after the Talcott family. The 165-foot structure was built as a summer home in 1914 by Gilbert Heublein. In the early fifties, two future presidents were guests of the Hartford Times, then General Dwight D. Eisenhower (who was asked to run for office there) and Ronald Reagan, then president of the Screen Actors' Guild. Following a period of ownership of the property by the Hartford Times during WWII and the early 1950's, it was slated for residential development by a private corporation when the 557 acres of Talcott Mountain came under public ownership in 1965 through the cooperative efforts of private conservationists and state and federal governments. |
| The 1,000-foot high promontory provides a splendid view of the Connecticut landscape. On the horizon, Mount Monadnock, eighty miles away in New Hampshire, is discernible. To the northwest, the Berkshires dominate the horizon. Long Island Sound is revealed as a thin blue streak to the south. Those with sharp vision can see an area estimated to be 1,200 square miles. |
| Hikers may encounter a variety of wildlife including deer, fox and rabbits in this natural sanctuary. Bird watchers enjoy occasional sightings of the turkey vulture, bald eagle, and pileated woodpecker. During May, visitors find wildflowers such as trillium, trout lily, wood anemone, and Dutchman's breeches among the damp, craggy rocks. Tables, grills, and toilets are available for picnickers. |
| Video Tour of Talcott Mountain State Park (link to ‘The Outdoor Enthusiast’ - CT Public Broadcastings’ Media Lab online project) |
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| Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include: |
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 |
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| Related Links |
Connecticut Tourism Information
Friends of Heublein Tower |
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