Activity Overview
Sleeping Giant State Park is a beautiful nature area located 30 miles south of Hartford, Connecticut. It is named after 739-foot tall Mount Carmel, a prominent natural landmark that can be seen throughout the area that is also known as the "Sleeping Giant" since it resembles a sleeping figure. The park is known for its scenic hiking trails and also provides facilities for activities such as fishing, bird watching, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding.
Things to Do
- In the wintertime, explore the trails while doing fun activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
- Take the 1.5-mile scenic trail to the observation tower on Mount Carmel's peak in order to enjoy spectacular views of the Long Island Sound and surrounding areas.
- Go fishing in Mill River, where people frequently catch trout.
- Explore the park using the 24-mile Quinnipiac Trail, which is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the region.
Sleeping Giant State Park Insider Tips
- Spend the entire day in the park by bringing along a meal to enjoy in one of the many picnic areas.
- Admission to the park is usually free, but parking fees are applied on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through the end of October.
- Don't forget to bring along a camera so that you can take photographs of the "sleeping giant" and the beautiful scenery!
