Chatfield Hollow State Park, State park and recreation area in Killingworth, United States
Chatfield Hollow State Park is a forest landscape with exposed rock ledges and natural caves set among dense woodland in Connecticut. The park includes a network of trails, a pond created by damming a stream, and open areas for swimming and fishing.
The Civilian Conservation Corps transformed the area in the 1930s by building infrastructure including a dam that created Schreeder Pond. This development shaped the park into an accessible recreation area with trails and facilities.
The Hammonasset people sheltered in the rock overhangs for generations, and their connection to this land is remembered through the cave sites today. Visitors can walk through these same spaces and sense the long relationship between people and this rocky landscape.
The park has well-marked trails for hiking and biking, designated swimming areas, and picnic spots scattered throughout the grounds. Facilities are open year-round, and groups can reserve Oak Lodge for gatherings or events.
The bedrock is composed of Monson Gneiss, a distinctive rock type with visible striations and mineral patterns that you can observe on the rock faces. This geological foundation creates the ledges and caves that define the park's landscape and make it geologically interesting.
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