Five Connecticut state parks to check out for cross-country skiing, ice fishing and other winter activities

The frigid temperatures and shorter days that descend on Connecticut in December may be a good excuse to get outside, however, the state is still full of activities that can only be taken advantage of during winter. From May through September, Connecticut’s state parks and beaches are often swarmed with visitors, forcing many of the state’s most popular destinations to turn away cars during the busiest summer weekends. Not so during the winter, when those same parks can often be devoid of people — leaving plenty of room to explore a snow-covered forest or take up a new hobby, like snowshoeing, without facing crowds of onlookers. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which manages the state’s network of 110 state parks, also offers year-round activities and classes for those seeking to pursue new adventures. Every year on Jan. 1, for example, DEEP and local supporters promote a series of “First Day Hikes,” to introduce residents to nearby parks and easy-going trails for beginners and families. For those well-acquainted with the snow and ice, Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall leases public land from the state, while state forests offer miles of trails for snowmobiling. DEEP and other outfitters also utilize state parks for training sessions and guided outings for adventure activities such as ice climbing. “Just about every park has something going on in the wintertime, too,” said Eric Hammerling, the executive director of the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association. Keep in mind that some park services are limited or closed during the winter months, such as the summit road at West Rock State Park in New Haven. Be sure to consult with DEEP’s website and social media pages for park hours and other up-to-date information on activities before you go. Of course, if the cold is simply too much, you can always check out indoor museums and nature centers, such as the exhibits at Dinosaur State Park. Here’s a list of five parks and related activities that you can check out in Connecticut this winter. Air-Line State Park Trail Various Locations Preserving more than 40 miles of a former rail line between New York and Boston, the relatively flat greenway provides an ideal location for cross-country skiing after a good snowfall. The Air-Line Trail currently exists in two sections in eastern Connecticut, with the southern portion running from East Hampton to Pomfret and the northern section continuing from Thompson to the Massachusetts border. The southern portion of the trail through East Hampton and Colchester includes a pair of 1,000-foot-long viaducts that were filled in long ago to accommodate heavier trains, but continue to offer scenic views. Further along, park at the historic depot in Pomfret Center and follow the trail over a short bridge and through a number of local farms. Osbornedale State Park Derby The only area in the state park system that is regularly tested for ice depth and open for skating is Pickett’s Pond at Osbornedale State Park, but always check for posted signs and weather forecast before heading out onto the ice. If you don't know how to skate, the nearby Kellogg Environmental Center is hosting an art exhibition featuring the works of Shawna Lee Kwashnak until Dec. 31. The Osbornedale Homestead Museum, the 19th-Century estate of the park’s namesake, is also open for special holiday-themed tours taking place Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 17. Afterward, the museum is closed to the public until its normal season resumes in May. Devil’s Hopyard State Park East Haddam While this park’s name invokes fire and brimstone, the iconic Chapman Falls at the center of the park turn into an icy cascade whenever the mercury dips for long enough, providing hikers with a stunning centerpiece to the frozen forest scene. Access to the 60-foot falls is easy with a short walk from parking areas along Hopyard and Foxtown Roads. For a hike, check out the .4 mile Chapman Falls Loop, which will also take you through a covered bridge, or follow the longer Witch Hazel (yellow) trail to learn more about the park’s history, rock formations and a scenic overlook. Hammonasset Beach State Park Madison In the summer millions of visitors are drawn to the two miles of beaches at Hammonasset, one of the jewels of Connecticut state park system. During the winter, however, the park’s human guests are replaced with migrating birds and seals, making it one of the best locations in the state for wildlife viewing. Snow buntings, horned larks and Lapland longspurs are just a few of the birds that are drawn to Hammonasset’s acres of empty parking lots, fields and sandy beaches — “large open areas that sort of mimic the tundra,” from which they came, says Patrick Comins, the executive director of the Connecticut Audubon Society. If you’re lucky, you may even see a Snowy Owl resting in a sand dune (the crowds of people standing around with spotting scopes and long-lens cameras are usually a giveaway for an owl or other rare bird). Take the short hike to Meigs Point, stopping to look at harbor seals hauled out on the rocks along the way. If you’ve brought binoculars, keep your eyes trained on the water to spot some of the ducks, loons, scooters and other waterfowl that make Long Island Sound their home for the winter. White Memorial Conservation Center Litchfield Yes, technically not a state park but rather a private nature preserve that is open to the public for outdoor activities like hiking, camping and horseback riding. Situated in the northwest hills, however, the park’s access to Bantam Lake provides one of the state’s best locations for ice fishing during the depths of winter. For that reason, it is one of a handful of locations where DEEP’s Fisheries Division will be offering ice fishing outings to the public this winter. On Jan. 28, Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education instructors will offer an in-person class for beginners at White Memorial, followed by an excursion onto the lake (conditions permitting) to practice drilling holes in the ice and – hopefully – catching a few fish. The event is free and those wishing to attend can register on White Memorial’s website. Tackle and bait are provided, but anglers must bring their own warm-weather gear, lunch and a state fishing license if they’re age 16 or older. In addition, White Memorial’s 40 miles of trails are also open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers during the winter. A nature museum dedicated to the area’s wildlife is also open year-round, with a $6 fee for adults and $3 for children between ages 6 and 12.

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