George Waldo State Park, Public recreation area in Southbury, Connecticut, United States
George Waldo State Park is an undeveloped protected area covering about 150 acres with a 2.1-mile loop trail through mixed forests of deciduous and coniferous trees. The path leads to the eastern shore of Lake Lillinonah and passes through wetland areas along the way.
The park was officially registered in 1957 and named after George Curtis Waldo, who chaired the Connecticut Park and Forest Commission during the 1940s. Its establishment reflected a broader effort to protect natural areas throughout the state.
The stone walls that line the trails were built by early farmers to divide their property and mark boundaries. These structures show how people shaped the land here centuries ago and remain as reminders of that agricultural past.
The park has no developed amenities like bathrooms or picnic facilities, so visitors should come prepared and self-sufficient. Access is from Purchase Brook Road, and the main loop is best experienced on foot or by mountain bike.
The trail drops roughly 140 feet from Purchase Brook Road down to the shoreline, creating several informal access points to the water. Along the way, visitors might spot woodland birds and amphibian species in the wetland areas.
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