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Connecticut State Parks

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Connecticut
Litchfield Hills Region
Lovers Leap State Park
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Lovers Leap State Park © Jllm06 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Path to Lovers Leap Bridge in Lovers Leap State Park
Lovers Leap State Park © Doug Kerr / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lovers Leap State Park - Connecticut
Lovers Leap State Park © Jllm06 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lovers Leap State Park sign
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LOVERS LEAP STATE PARK
LOVERS LEAP STATE PARK
178 Short Woods Road
New Milford, Connecticut   06776
(lat:41.543 lon:-73.4087) map location

Phone: 860-424-3200
Trails through the park will lead the walker through centuries of land-use history. Heading northeast from the parking lot the trail utilizes the 1895 Berlin Iron Bridge, one of five remaining in Connecticut, to cross the Housatonic River. Across the bridge the Lovers Leap Trail heads southeast 1,200 feet to the rock formation that gives the park its name. From here, tradition has it, that the Pootatuck Indian Chief Waramaugs daughter, Princess Lillinonah, and her lover plunged to their deaths. The Chief himself died in 1735.

The view to the south overlooks a now submerged Goodyear Island named for an early fur trader from Derby who came there to trade with the established Indian Community. Industrial era ruins still exist near the water on the northwest section of the park.
History of the Area
Located in New Milford, Connecticut, the park was established in 1971. It spans over 127 acres of forested land and features a red iron bridge built in 1895. The area is steeped with Native American history and folklore about star-crossed lovers from opposing tribes who leapt to their deaths together - hence its name 'Lovers Leap'. In addition to hiking trails, it offers views of Lake Lillinonah's Housatonic River Valley.

Passes
Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under the Passport to the Parks program, parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. You can view the CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS web page to learn more.



Trails
- Lovers Leap Trail: A 1.5-mile loop trail that offers scenic views of the Housatonic River, featuring a historic iron bridge and Lover's Leap; moderate difficulty.

- Falls Cut-off Trail: This is an approximately half-a-mile long trail which leads to waterfalls; it has steep sections making it moderately difficult for hikers.

- Waramaug's Rock Loop: Approximately one mile in length, this easy-to-moderate level hiking path provides stunning panoramic vistas from atop Waramaug's rock outcrop.

- Red Blazed Main Park Road Pathway: An old park road now used as a walking or biking pathway with gentle slopes suitable for all skill levels; about two miles round trip.

-The Pootatuck State Forest Trails (adjacent): Offers several additional trails ranging between 0.8 -2.6 miles each varying in terrain and difficulty but providing more options within close proximity to Lovers Leap State Park.

-Lake Zoar Authority Blue/White Loop : It covers around three-quarters of a mile offering beautiful lake views along its course while being relatively flat hence ideal even for beginner hikers

-Pomperaug Trail Extension - Yellow Blaze Route : Though not directly inside the state park boundaries ,it connects at points allowing extended hikes covering up to five-and-half miles through varied landscapes including woodlands and wetland areas ; rated as medium-difficulty due high elevation changes

-High Point Cliffs Overlook Spur- Short offshoots from main routes leading towards cliff edges giving breathtaking elevated view over Lake Lilinonah . Not recommended during icy conditions owing slippery surfaces

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Area Fishing Related Businesses
Valley Angler
56 Padanaram Rd
Danbury, CT
(203) 792-8324
Candlewood Bait & Tackle Co
2 Germantown Rd
Danbury, CT
(203) 743-2221
Bill's Bait & Tackle
117 Old Town Park Rd
New Milford, CT
(860) 354-9066
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Directions from Hartford, Connecticut:

- Start on I-84 W towards Waterbury.
- Take exit 39A to merge onto CT Route 4 W/Farmington Avenue.
- Continue for about nine miles until you reach US Highway 202.

From New Haven, Connecticut:

- Begin by getting on I91 N and continue till Exit number 17.
- Merge with CT15N/ Wilbur Cross Pkwy toward Berlin Turnpike/Meriden
- Stay in the right lane at fork; follow signs for Interstate691W/Waterbury/I84E/Hartford then merge with i691-W

For those coming from Stamford, Connecticut:

- Get started heading northbound via Merritt Parkway (CT Rte.15).
- Follow this route up to Norwalk where it merges into Super7 North.

In case of traveling from Providence Rhode Island:

- Head westward along RI6 West or take a faster option through interstate highway like i95 South which will lead directly into connecticut state lines before merging again unto another interstate road namelyi395North

From Boston Massachusetts area :

- First make your way southwards using either MA3South ,MA24South or even better if possible use expressway such asI93S that goes straight down past Quincy all the way upto Braintree junction point . Here switch over ontoI495SW direction Milford /Marlborough .

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Connecticut
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Connecticut State Parks

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