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Curtis Veeder, an inventor and outdoorsman, donated this 800-acre park to the state in 1944. Veeder wanted to preserve his wooded hilltop, part of the Talcott Range near Hartford, in its near-wild state.
Veeder and his wife built an ingenious network of roads and trails through Penwood. The trail system extends for six miles and includes a nature trail built by the Youth Conservation Corps around Lake Louise.
One path leads to the Veeder's log cabin site near the "pinnacle," the park's highest rock outcrop, 741 feet above sea level. Two and a half miles of the Metacomet Trail, part of the statewide Blue-Blazed Trail System, bisects the park from south to north.
Mountain bikes are barred from the Metacomet but allowed on other trails. A four-mile loop road is left unplowed in winter for cross-country skiers, who can park in the plowed lot outside the park entrance.
The park entrance is on Route 185, near the Simsbury-Bloomfield town line. Also on Route 185 in Simsbury is Talcott Mountain State Park, the site of what is considered the best view in the state.
A 1.5-mile hike leads to Heublein Tower, which affords 50-mile views in clear weather.
Outdoor Activities |
Strolling the trails at Penwood State Park in autumn.
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