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East Rock Park
Location Information
Sponsored by:
City of New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees
Location Entrance:
Cold Spring and Orange Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Location Phone:
(203) 946-6086
Type: An entire park
Alternate trailhead or entry point:
Difficulty: Moderate (Gently rising terrain with the likeliness to encounter occasional obstacles)
Primary Walking Surface:
Earth
Hours open:
Dawn to dusk
Suitable for ages: • Children • Teenagers • Adults • Seniors
Number of walking trails: 10+
Total walking route length: 10+ miles
Admission fees:
Free
Location Website: East Rock Park
Location Details
East Rock is a 425-acre park located on the New Haven/Hamden border. The area was formed about 200 million years ago. Molten rock from deep in the earth surged through stress cracks formed in the sandstone bedrock of New Haven. The molten rock cooled to form dolerite (basalt or traprock.) Glacial action and weather eroded away the softer sandstone, making East Rock (and other traprock ridges such as West Rock) became more prominent. The summit of East Rock Park now rises more than 350 feet above the floor of the Mill River Valley. Among the many recreational activities that can be enjoyed here, a self-guided nature trail (800 feet long) starts at the northwest end of the Orange Street Bridge. Constructed and maintained with the help of Wilbur Cross High School students, this trail offers an opportunity to explore the natural history of the Mill River floodplain.
Location Features
| Landscape settings: | • Rural • Urban • Stream/river • Pond/lake • Woodland • Wetland • Meadow • Gentle hill • Steep hill • Vista • Historical site • Cultivated gardens, |
| Amenities: | • Interpretative/educational signage • Restroom • Drinking water • Shelter • Picnic • Playground • Reliable cell phone reception |
| Activities: |         |
| Neighboring towns: | |
| Access restrictions: | Mountain bikes restricted to bike trails only. Life jackets mandatory for canoeing/kayaking. |
How to get there
| Driving Directions: | From I-91, take exit 6 Willow Street to end of ramp. Turn right onto Willow Street. At second light, turn right onto Mitchell Drive. Follow Mitchell Drive to first traffic light. East Rock Park will be in front of you on the right. |
| Parking: | There are no parking lots at this end of the park, so parking is limited to the street. Please observe the street cleaning signs for parking restrictions. |
| Public transportation: |
Other Items of Interest
| Flora and fauna: | unique birds |
| Affiliate Groups: |