Dennis Hill State Park, State park in Norfolk, Connecticut
Dennis Hill State Park is a wooded area in Connecticut covering more than 240 acres with hiking trails that lead to a high point with long-range views. Multiple paths wind through forests of different ages and compositions, connecting the summit area to lower sections of the property.
Frederic S. Dennis (1850–1934), a New York City doctor, summered for years in Norfolk and named his estate "Tamarac." In 1908 he hired architect Alfredo S.G. Taylor to design the summit bungalow, where he hosted guests including Andrew Carnegie, William Howard Taft and Walter Damrosch. Dennis gave the 240-acre estate to the state in 1935.
The summit bungalow, originally called the Tamarack Lodge Bungalow, was designed in 1908 by architect Alfredo S.G. Taylor for Dr. Frederic S. Dennis, who summered at his estate "Tamarac." There Dennis hosted guests including Andrew Carnegie, President William Howard Taft and conductor Walter Damrosch. The stone building with a standing seam metal roof is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The park is accessible via Connecticut Route 272, which connects to parking areas and a picnic area near the trail heads. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since some paths are steep and the ground can be uneven in places.
The summit's rocky ground is mostly gneiss, and the last ice age left many marks in this hard stone. The highest point rises to 494 m, and the Mad River lies to the north and west.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,862 contributors worldwide.