Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Mattatuck State Forest

Getting Here

Forest Location

Harwinton, Litchfield, Plymouth, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown

Directions

To Black Rock State Park on the Watertown/Thomaston border, which has full access to the largest portion of the forest Mattatuck State Forest:

From Route 8 north: take Exit 38. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp to first traffic light. Turn left at traffic light onto US Route 6 west. Park entrance is a 1/2 mile on the right on US Route 6.

From Route 8 south: take Exit 38. Go straight ahead at the end of the exit ramp to US Route 6 west. Park entrance is on the right.

Two parking areas/access areas in Plymouth:

Mount Tobe Road: From the junction of Routes 262 and 6 in Plymouth proceed south on Route 262 for 3.8 miles. There is parking for three vehicles.
Town Hill Road: From the junction of Routes 262 and 6 in Plymouth proceed east on Route 6 for 1.6 miles. Turn right (south) onto Town Hill Road and follow 1.4 miles to parking area for four vehicles.

Two parking areas/access areas in Watertown:
Echo Lake Road: From the junction of Routes 262 and 6 in Watertown proceed south/east on Route 262 for 1.3. Turn left onto Echo Lake Road and proceed one mile to parking for three cars.
Bidwell Hill Road: From the junction of Routes 262 and 6 in Watertown proceed east on Route 6 for 1.0 miles. Turn left onto Bidwell Hill and follow 0.8 mile to parking area for three vehicles.

Parking area/access area in Litchfield:

Marsh Road: From the junction of Routes 118 and 254 in Litchfield proceed east on Route 118 for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto East Litchfield Road and proceed 0.5 mile to Buell Street. Turn right on Buell and follow 0.9 mile and turn left onto Marsh Road. Proceed on Marsh for one mile to parking area for two vehicles.
Whiterock Trailhead: From the junction of Routes 262 and 6 in Plymouth proceed south on Route 262 for 3.4 miles and park in the unmarked pull-off on the right. The trail descends to the south at first but upon joining the main trail (blue blazed) it turns west; follow to the summit.
Greystone Trailhead: From the junction of Routes 262 and 6 in Plymouth proceed south on Route 262 for 4.9 miles to the trail head. There is no parking at the trailhead so you may have to park at the bottom of the hill and walk back up to the trialhead. Enter the woods at the barred gate, cross the bridge and hike to the summit.