Burr Pond State Park

Torrington, CT

Swim, picnic, hike the trails—and learn about the history of Borden's condensed milk. Previously a manufacturing space powered by the pond’s dam, the park was the site of the world’s first condensed milk factory. Gail Borden, Jr., who discovered how to preserve milk by evaporation and condensation, invaluable to the Union Army during the Civil War, built the factory here in 1857. The mill was eventually destroyed by fire in 1877, but a bronze tablet still marks the factory’s original location. 

Views from the Park
Location

384 Burr Mountain Rd.
Torrington, CT 06790

Details

Open Daily 
(8:00 a.m. – Sunset)

No Alcohol

Contact

Main (860) 482-1817

Woman in canoe on Burr Pond State Park (Instagram@thom_carroll)
Activities

Biking

Body

Boating

Body

Explore the water beyond the beach in a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. Bring your own or rent!  

Canoe and Kayak Rentals

  • Available Memorial Day to Labor Day. 
  • No reservations are necessary — rentals are first-come, first-served.
  • Please be aware that rental operations close for inclement weather.

Rental Hours

  • 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (weekdays)
  • 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (weekends)

Rental Rates 

  • Single seat kayaks: $15/hour or $80 per day 
  • Double kayaks and canoes: $20/hour or $100 per day 
  • Stand up paddleboards: $10/half hour, $15 per hour (no daily rentals)
  • CASH ONLY

Rental questions? 

Contact Clarke Outdoors
163 Route 7, West Cornwall, CT  06796
(860) 672-6365

Boat Launch

To reach the boat launch, follow Burr Mountain Road past the park entrance and look for the launch on the left. 

Fishing

Body

Easily accessible even in the coldest winter months, the pond is a popular destination for ice fishing, too. And with plenty of panfish, the shallow, warm pond is an excellent spot for children to cast a line, too.

Types of fish: perch, bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, panfish.

Know Before You Go

Hiking

Body

Walcott Trail (Blue Blaze to Blue/Yellow Blaze)

  • 2.5-mile loop around the pond
  • Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate 
  • This relatively flat trail circles the perimeter of the pond along the blue trail with one out-and-back on the blue/yellow trail to reach a point jutting into the pond for stunning views of Burr Pond. Family-friendly hike with some rock crossings, lookouts, and connections to other trails.

John Muir Trail (Blue Blaze) 

  • 2.1-mile trail connector (one-way)
  • To access 11.5 miles of trails in nearby parks, start with the John Muir Trail. The trail links Burr Pond’s Walcott Trail to the Testone Boulder.
  • Loop Trail in Sunnybrook State Park by crossing through Paugnut State Forest. Before leaving the forest, tack on an extra 0.5 mile to climb the summit of Walnut Mountain, Torrington’s highest peak.

Know Before You Go

Picnicking

Body

Pack a picnic or swing by the snack stand for a picnic by the pond. Planning for a bigger crowd? Reserve our picnic shelter in advance. Please note, no alcohol is allowed at the park.

Open Air Picnic Shelter Rental

Reserve a Picnic Shelter

Swimming

Body

Hit the sandy beach and cool down in the pond — its fresh waters are fed by nearby mountain streams! A dedicated, roped off swimming area and lifeguard on duty (in season) make it an ideal spot for the whole family.  

Know Before You Go

Winter

Body

Explore the park during the winter months and enjoy ice fishing, snow shoeing, and cross-country skiing. 

Fees

FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles
$15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays)
$10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays)
$112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass)
 

Accessibility

Parking

Picnic Tables

Restrooms
 

Pets

Picnic Areas & Hiking Trails
On leash

On Beach
Not permitted