Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor

The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor is a protected area in northeastern Connecticut covering about 1,100 square miles. It consists mainly of forests and farmland woven through historic towns along two river valleys.

Congress designated this area as a National Heritage Corridor in 1994 to protect Connecticut's natural and historic landscapes when the state had minimal federally protected parkland. The designation recognized that rural industrial regions and their landscapes needed formal protection.

The 35 historic towns throughout the area feature mill buildings and agricultural landscapes that remain central to local life and community identity. Residents maintain these spaces as gathering places and work to keep the region's industrial past visible in the everyday environment.

The area offers hiking trails, kayaking and boating on the two rivers, and guided tours through historic villages available throughout the year. Most access points and outdoor activities are free to enjoy, though some historic buildings have limited visiting hours.

This region is one of the last places with natural darkness between Boston and Washington D.C., offering exceptionally clear night skies. On clear nights, visitors can see the Milky Way with the naked eye, a rarity in this densely populated part of the country.