Haystack Mountain State Park

Norfolk, CT

A favorite among hikers! Nestled in the idyllic town of Norfolk in northwest Connecticut, Haystack Mountain State Park features a twisting, turning mountain road and a rugged trail that leads to the 34-foot-high stone tower at the summit. Arrive at the top and reward yourself with incredibly scenic views of the Berkshires, Massachusetts, New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Visit in the fall to see nature’s spectacular display of foliage; plan a day trip during the early summer and witness the beautiful show of mountain laurel, Connecticut’s state flower.

Fun fact: The tower atop Haystack Mountain was originally built in 1929 for $50,000 and featured a beacon light at the top. The light, however, no longer exists.

Views from the Park

A road with stone wall through a forest in the fall (Flickr@CraigSzymanski)

A woman standing on steps of a stone tower (Flickr@blazer=696)

A view from a stone tower window in the fall (Flickr)

Location

On Rte. 272
Norfolk, CT 06058

Get Directions

Details

Open Daily
(8:00 am – Sunset)

Late April – November
Park road open to vehicles

November – Late April
Road closed, walk-in only

Park Maps

Contact

Main (860) 482-1817

A pretty scene of water reflecting fall trees and sky (Flickr)

Activities

Geology

A road goes halfway up Haystack Mountain to a parking lot with a trail to the top. You can walk up the road, and then take the trail to the top. There is also a yellow trail that starts near the beginning of the road. This geologic description assumes you walk up the road, take the trail to the top, then walk back down the same trail to the yellow trail that takes you back to the park entrance.

Rock Types Found on Main Trail:

Igneous (Pegmatite), Metamorphic (Gneiss)

Rock Units:

Layered gneiss (Precambrian): Gray, medium grained, well-layered gneiss

Minerals of Interest:

Quartz

Interesting Geologic Features:

Glacial polish, folds, glacial boulders, differential erosion

Hiking

Haystack Mountain State Park offers two well-marked trails that lead you lead directly to the summit. Hike the two-mile paved road. Or take the rocky, mile-long Tower Loop Trail. You’ll find the upper trailhead at the end of the paved park road as you ascend. The lower trailhead is found near the park entrance on Route 272 in Norfolk.

Allow about half an hour for the walk to the summit if you are not a seasoned hiker.