Mount Tom State Park, State park in Litchfield, United States.
Mount Tom State Park is a nature preserve of roughly 231 acres in Connecticut, centered around Mount Tom Pond. A black gneiss tower sits at the park's summit and offers views toward Massachusetts and Long Island Sound.
The park was established in 1915 after Charles H. Senff donated the land in 1911, requiring that an observation tower remain at the summit. The black gneiss tower was designed and built by Alfred M. Turner in 1921.
The stone tower shows how people in the early 20th century chose to develop public recreation areas in Connecticut. Visitors today gather at the summit to take in the views and understand how communities valued outdoor access.
Visitors reach the tower via a roughly 1-mile (1.6 km) trail that climbs about 500 feet (152 m) in elevation. Parking is available near Mount Tom Pond.
The park displays black gneiss and schist with visible mineral bands of quartz and hornblende throughout its landscape. These rock formations are visible along the trails and reveal the geological story of the region.
Location: Litchfield
Location: Morris
Location: Washington
Inception: 1915
Elevation above the sea: 299 m
Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Mount-Tom-State-Park
GPS coordinates: 41.69250,-73.27944
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43
Connecticut combines different landscapes from the coast to the mountains with a range of historic sites. The region includes state parks with waterfalls like Kent Falls and Wadsworth Falls, extensive forested areas, and conservation lands. Visitors can hike through White Memorial Conservation Centre, climb the tower at Haystack Mountain, or explore the Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford. Historic sites include Gillette Castle in East Haddam, which sits above the Connecticut River, and the Glass House in New Canaan, a significant example of modern architecture. Weir Farm in Wilton documents the life of American artists, while Fort Trumbull in New London preserves the region's military history. Saville Dam in Barkhamsted shows early engineering achievements in water management. Coastal areas provide access to beaches like Walnut Beach in Milford and Greenwich Point Park. Inland lie several state parks with trails and lakes, including Burr Pond, Candlewood Lake, and Black Rock State Park. Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill preserves tracks from prehistoric times, while Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford presents plant collections.
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