Farm River State Park may not rank high on the list of parks by size but it is well placed when ranked by location. Taking its headwaters to the northeast, the Farm River flows 16.5 miles on its way past the Park where visitors enjoy the sun, sights and salt air of Long Island Sound.
Boat Launch and Dock Rental: The DEEP has entered into a contract with a marina concessionaire to manage the docks and boat launch access for the 2017 boating season. The concessionaire can be reached at (860) 333-9003 or farmrivermarina@gmail.com. To register for the Community Boating Program please visit Yasgur Management.
{Tidal Marsh at Farm River State Park} Tidal Marsh at Farm River State Park, East Haven
Directions
To North Entrance: From East Haven center follow Main Street (Route 100) east and turn south on Hemingway Avenue/Route 142. Follow Route 142 for 1.6 miles to parking area on the right (south) side of Route 142 (now Short Beach Road) between Fairview Avenue and Stone Pillar Road
For Mansfield Grove Road Entrance: follow Main Street (Route 100) east from East Haven center and turn right (south) on Route 142. Follow for 1.4 miles to Mansfield Grove Road. Turn right (south) on Mansfield Grove Road and travel for two/thirds mile to gravel parking area on left (east). Access is vehicle restricted but can be arranged (foot traffic okay; 1,500 foot walk to river). See Boat Launch Note above.
The Farm River drains parts of Durham, Wallingford and North Branford on its 16.5 mile journey past Farm River State Park to Long Island Sound. The 61 acres that make up the park are situated on the western shoreline perfectly positioned to enjoy the full beauty of the river just before it empties into the Sound.
As recently as the early 1970s, this area of the lower Farm River was dominated by unkempt summer homes. Land was inexpensive and available. Today, the neighborhood consists of luxury condominiums, and the state, in retrospect, was fortunate to obtain this park when it did. In 1998 it was designated as a state park. Despite its size, the park’s diversity is remarkable. Snowy egrets feed in the marshland and share the tidal wetlands and rocky shore with a wide variety of ducks, gulls, and the occasional blue heron.
This quiet park has fascinating and picturesque geology. The uplands and bedrock outcrops, especially in the northern section, provide the landscape diversity and the topography that allow tidal marsh flooding to separate the park into its upper and lower portions. The river shoreline and its access points in the southern section provide a quiet and scenic respite not often accessible this close to the coast.
There are two primary access points, and from these the trails are measured in hundreds, not thousands, of feet. But off-trail exploration will lead you to scenic vistas that are definitely worth the walk.
Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include:
Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden Location: 2 miles north of Hamden off Route 10 Activities: Hiking, Stream Fishing, Picnicking, Youth Group Camping, Nature Trail, Scenic Vista, Lookout Tower
West Rock Ridge State Park, Hamden/New Haven Location: Travel on Route 10 (Dixwell Avenue); turn west onto Benham. From Benham, turn south onto Main Street and then west onto Wintergreen. Activities: Car-Top Boating, Fall Foliage Viewing, Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Scenic Vistas
