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Bear Mountain Reservation
Location Information
Sponsored by:
City of Danbury Conservation Commission
Location Entrance:
19 Bear Mountain Road
Danbury, CT 06811
Location Phone:
(203) 746-2123
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: 5 miles
Admission fees:
Free
Location Details
Bear Mountain Reservation sits on 140 acres of mostly forested land. There are 10 interconnecting trails, which go through meadows, over hills and several small streams, around a vernal pool, and past numerous rock formations. The orange trail leads to Candlewood Lake. Trail maps are available at the trailhead. The meadows are a favorite spot for birding. Several trails offer seasonal views of Danbury Bay. Bear Mountain Reservation is kept as natural as possible for the enjoyment of the hikers and its natural inhabitants. There are picnic benches available.
Location Features
| Landscape settings: | • Rural • Stream/river • Pond/lake • Woodland • Wetland • Meadow • Gentle hill • Steep hill |
| Amenities: | • Restroom • Picnic • Reliable cell phone reception • Leashed pets permitted |
| Activities: |      |
| Neighboring towns: | |
| Access restrictions: | None |
How to get there
| Driving Directions: | Take exit 6 off I-84, turn right and head north on Route 37 approximately 2.8 miles to Bear Mountain Road. Turn right and go for approximately .5 miles. The entrance to the reservation is on the right. |
| Parking: | A paved parking lot is available. |
| Public transportation: | None |
Other Items of Interest
| Flora and fauna: | The enormous variety of wildflowers in the meadow attracts the following butterflies: Monarch, Mourning Cloak, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and Spring Azure. Praying Mantis can also be found within the meadow. Birds are found throughout BMR, however, the larger meadow is a favorite birding spot. Birds seen are: Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, Common Redpoll, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Kingbird, Indigo Bunting, Great Horned Owl, Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Bluebird,Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-Skinned Hawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Pileated Woodecker, and Hermit Thrush. Other wildlife includes Salamanders, Eastern Box Turtles, Black Racer, Garter snakes, and frogs. Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, and woodchucks are also frequently spotted. Occassionally, a fox appears. The forest consists of Shagbark Hickory, Red Cedar, all types of Oaks, Sassafras, Tulip and Birch trees. The American Larch, the only deciduous needle-leaved tree in our range, also grows here. Within the wetland area, the following ferns can be seen: Hay-scented, Marsh, Christmas, Cinnamon, Oak, and Sensitive. During wet weather, an incredible amount of various mushrooms appear in every imaginable color. |
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