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USA Connecticut Nathan Hale State Forest

Nathan Hale Homestead
Photo Courtesy James J Choiniere

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Nathan Hale Homestead
Photo Courtesy James J Choiniere

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Nearby Parks:
 Bolton Notch State Park
 Gay City State Park
 Nye-Holman State Forest
 Salmon River State Forest
 Shenipsit State Forest
 Natchaug State Forest
 South Windsor State Wildlife Area
 Meshomasic State Forest
 Keeney Cove Marsh State Wildlife Area
 Windsor Meadows State Park
 Reeves Lookout State Wildlife Area
 Glastonbury Meadows State Wildlife Area
 Nipmuck State Forest
 Dart Island State Park
 Hurd State Park
 Dinosaur State Park
 Bigelow State Park
 Bigelow Hollow State Park
 Connecticut River State Wildlife Area
 Cromwell Meadow State Wildlife Area


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State Park Overview:
Nathan Hale State Forest: The first purchase of this forest was in 1946, through a bequest by the late George Dudley Seymour. The original purchase of 850 acres has grown since then to about 1,500 acres today. Mr. Seymour wanted to restore the Hale farm property he had purchased in 1914 ?to a state comparable to that which existed during Hale?s boyhood, when most of the lands were cleared and grazed by sheep and cattle?. He soon saw how hopeless that idea would be, as the land reverted to forest faster than he could keep it cleared.

Two of his forester friends may have influenced him to turn his interest to forest and wildlife management. In the 1930?s, with guidance from Dean Graves of Yale and George Cromie, Mr. Seymour began establishing conifer plantations. This practice continued into the 1950?s, by which time the land was under State ownership.

Mr. Seymour also had an interesting way of marking his boundaries. He planted them with hemlock and white cedar. The trees are still visible today as excellent markers of both former and current boundaries.

Since the state acquired the land, plantations have been established, thinned and pruned; fields have been maintained in grass and shrub condition for a variety of wildlife; studies are being conducted to restore American chestnut; a 200 acre natural area has been established to be kept with no management activity; and the forest in general has been managed for a sustained yield of wildlife habitat and forest products. The Town of Coventry leases a 57-acre area of the forest as a town park.

Today, the objective of the DEP Foresters is to maintain a healthy forest with an equal distribution of age classes of trees from seedling to mature timber. The wildlife is abundant and often visible or audible. Hawks, fox and coyote rival the deer and turkey for use of the varied habitat available
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Area Accommodations
B&Bs / Inns
The Tolland Inn - 1790s inn on historic village green. Close to University of Connecticut. Seven guest rooms/suites with private baths, full breakfast. Antiques and hand-made furniture throughout.
Friendship Valley Inn - Brooklyn, CT
A Bed & Breakfast in the Quiet Corner of Northeast Connecticut on Route 169, a National Scenic Byway.
Web Site: http://www.friendshipvalleyinn.com
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Related Links:
Letterboxing Clues for Connecticut's Nathan Hale State Forest - letterboxing clues for the forest centennial letterbox on Connecticut's American Legion State Forest ... Letterbox Series - Clues for Nathan Hale State Forest Nathan Hale State Forest - the 26th State ...
Interstate 384 (Connecticut) - Descriptive history and current conditions on Interstate 384 in central Connecticut. Includes ... about the route in the vicinity of Nathan Hale State Forest in Connecticut, and the Scituate ...
Interstate 84 (Connecticut) - Descriptive history and current conditions on Interstate 84 through Connecticut. ... concerns about the route in the vicinity of Nathan Hale State Forest in Connecticut, and the Scituate Reservoir in ...
Area Campgrounds
Odetah Camping Resort
38 Bozrah St Ext
Bozrah, CT
860-889-4144


Nickerson Park Campground
1036 Phoenixville Road
Chaplin, CT
860-455-0007


Markham Meadows Campground
7 Markham Road
East Hampton, CT
860-267-9738


Charlie Brown Campground
98 Chaplin Road
Eastford, CT
860-974-0142


Peppertree Camping
146 Chaplin Road
Eastford, CT
860-974-1439


Lake Williams Campground
1742 Exeter Road Route 207
Lebanon, CT
860-642-7761


Water's Edge Family Campground
271 Leonard Bridge Road
Lebanon, CT


Camp Niantic-By-The-Atlantic
271 West Main Street
Manchester, CT
860-739-9308


Highland Campground
42 Toleration Road
Scotland, CT
860-423-5684


Mineral Springs Family Campground
135 Leonard Road
Stafford Springs, CT
860-684-2993


Roaring Brook Cooperative Campground
Route 190 8 South Road
Stafford Springs, CT
860-684-7086


USA Connecticut Nathan Hale State Forest
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