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East Rock Park
Rating Details »
Cold Spring and Orange Streets
New Haven, CT 06519
(203) 946-6086
New Haven, CT 06519
(203) 946-6086
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
6 reviews for East Rock Park
I love this park. There are tons of trails and a few "closed roads" to hike. When I lived in New Haven I was there every day with my dalmation Dorothy. There are at least a dozen trails we frequented that took us from the mill river starting on Orange Street to the top where the monument is and back down the other side to where the waterfall is at the Eli Whitney Musuem. I remember Dorothy once chased a deer down a trail for quite a distance. I always wonder what would have happened had she caught up to that deer.
In the winter you can't drive to the top but it's a great walk if you park your car at the entrance. Atop East Rock where the views are spectacular sits newly repaired Soldiers and Sailor Monument. A worthy attraction if you're in the neighborhood. I just wish they (the park visitors and the city) would keep the top of the rock cleaner. It's always very littered. Why would somone do that! Anyway, the trails are nice and clean.
What do I miss most about the Garden State? Jersey's lush green. Yes, when you steer away from the armpit part of the NJ Turnpike, you actually get the green part of the state.
And here in New Haven, East Rock Park is where I'll come to, in order to find my solace, my home away from home.
The roads here remind me of the the roads leading to the Palisades Cliffs or Bear Mountain. The roads are tree lined, creating a tent for those who pass by. The sunlight filters through the bright green leaves, leaving me in sublime. Best of all, all this is free!
Whether you hike your way up to the rock or drive leisurely, you'll enjoy getting there just as much as the destination. The view from the top is fine with a flat clearing for kids of all ages to play on, but the trees... that's what I'm here for.
1 star because East Rock is a good place to drive up and look out from with out-of-town guests who don't want to hike. Which is cool and it's certainly beautiful when you do this and our guests ooh and aah over the fall foliage (or the lush green) that we pass on the drive up - the sunlight filters through just so - and they ooh and aah over the view.
2 stars because it's nice to ride thru, on a bike, on the way to the canal trail.
3 stars because jogging on the paths that run around the base of the park, along the little stream, behind the Eli Whitney Museum, through the neighborhood park, etc is pretty nice.
4 stars because I like walking on the closed roads in rain, shine or snowy weather.
But this park gets only 4 stars because it's not within walking distance of my house. I guess that's my problem, but still.
East Rock rocks. Literally. Mainly because it is a huge chunk of traprock jutting over the southern Connecticut skyline.
This New Haven landmark is a must-drive destination when out-of-towners ask to see the local area. You can't get a better view of east, west, north or south of the city. Plus, the "giant steps" are fun to hike up & down. I probably haven't hiked them since I was a little kid.
The only thing I don't like about the park are the erratic hours of the entrance gate. Sometimes it's open. Sometimes it's not. I can't figure out the logic. When it's closed you cannot drive to the top.
It's amazing how something so beautiful and peaceful can be surprisingly so close to the city.
I love East Rock. It's great to walk around in, and the view at the top is really nice. However, I would recommend West Rock park to anyone who hasn't been. It's further, so you have to drive, but the view is better, and there is a lot more wilderness to explore.
for some reason, when i lived in the east rock neiborhood. east rock must have been having a dark time. hookers would show up, dead. must have surprised joggers tyo no end. that being said, i loved canoeing up the small river at the base, riding my bike on the trails and the great view of new haven from the top.