Squantz Pond State Park

Introduction

Squantz Pond State Park provides four seasons of enjoyment, with steep, wooded slopes, a cool, blue pond, and colourful foliage to delight visitors all year.

In the fall, the park becomes a haven for photographers who want to capture the colourful reflection of the foliage in the water’s mirrored surface. Boating, hiking, interpretive trail, picnicking, nature centre programmes and exhibits, pond fishing, swimming, scuba diving, and canoe and kayak rentals are among the activities available. Lifeguards work three to five days a week, including weekends.

History of the Park

Squantz Pond transports visitors to a “mountain-like” setting. The cool, blue pond below is reached via steep, wooded slopes. In the fall, the park becomes a haven for photographers who want to capture the colourful reflection of the foliage in the water’s mirrored surface.

Activities

You can do a different kinds of activities in Squantz Pond State Park. Here we have listed the main activities that usually people do.

Picnicking

Have a picnic on the beach or at a picnic table that are available in Squantz Pond State Park.

Pond Fishing

Squantz Pond State Park’s most popular activity is fishing. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection stocks brown and rainbow trout in Squantz Pond on a regular basis. Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Walleye, and Chain Pickerel are among the other species found in the lake.

Hiking

Squantz Pond State Park’s three hiking trails make hiking a popular activity. The main trail from the west side begins at the north end of the picnic area and follows the edges of the lake’s western shoreline for 2 miles to a peninsula that juts out into the lake (and has an unobstructed view of the entire lake). There is no danger of getting lost because the lake is always visible.

A green trail heads north to Worden Brook, then southwest, passing the northern end of the yellow trail, before turning east to the southern end of the yellow trail, which continues east to rejoin the outgoing green trail. By taking the yellow trail south when it first appears, you can shorten the green trail circular walk.

The white trail leads from Squantz Pond’s west shoreline to Pine Ledge.

Swimming

Scuba diving and swimming are popular activities at Squantz Pond State Park. Lifeguards patrol designated swimming areas.

Boating

The public has access to Squantz Pond via a state-owned boat launch in the State Park. Boats launching from the State Park are limited to 7.5 horsepower (6 kW).

Location

The Squantz Pond State Park is close to Bethel, Brewster, and Brookfield. Here are the driving instructions for the park.

Car Driving

Take I-684 west to I-84 east toward Danbury from the West/New York area. Exit 5 and turn left at the traffic light onto Route 39 north, then follow the signs to Squantz Pond. The park is located approximately 412 miles north of New Fairfield on Route 39.

Take Exit 6 in Danbury off I-84 East. At the traffic light, turn right onto Route 37. Continue on Route 37 until you reach New Fairfield Center. At the traffic light, turn right onto Route 39 and travel north for approximately 412 miles to the park entrance. From the lower Fairfield County area, take Route 7 north to I-84 east to Danbury. Exit 5 and turn left at the traffic light onto Route 39 north, then follow the signs to Squantz Pond. The park is located approximately 412 miles north of New Fairfield on Route 39.

From the Bridgeport area, take Route 25 north to I-84 west. Exit 5 and turn left at the traffic light onto Route 39 north, then follow the signs to Squantz Pond. The park is located approximately 412 miles north of New Fairfield on Route 39.

Passes for the Park

Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites, and beaches more accessible to residents so that they can enjoy the many attractions and natural beauty that they provide. Parking fees at Connecticut State Parks are now waived for Connecticut-registered vehicles under the Passport to the Parks programme. To learn more, visit the CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS website.

Squantz Pond State Park Trails

The main trail from the west side begins at the north end of the picnic area and follows the western shoreline of the lake for 2 miles to a peninsula that juts out into the lake and provides an unobstructed view of the entire lake.

A green trail travels north to Worden Brook, then southwest, passing the northern end of the yellow trail, before turning east to the southern end of the yellow trail, which continues east to the outgoing green trail. By taking the yellow trail south when it first appears, you can shorten the green trail circular walk.

An unmarked trail runs along the west shoreline of Squantz Pond, with old reddish-brown markers visible. The path follows the shoreline. It’s mostly hemlock, with fast-flowing streams splashing down to the lake and interesting rock formations. A little less than halfway there, an open area and a rock to stand on provide a view of the beach at Squantz Pond State Park. A red-blazed trail descends the steep grade from Pootatuck Mountain as well. The trail comes to an end near Worden Brook, where a short bushwhack south leads to the main trail.

Pricing of Park

Weekdays: free for Connecticut vehicles; $15 for out-of-state vehicles. Weekends and holidays: free for CT vehicles; $23 for out-of-state vehicles. After 4 p.m., $7/out-of-state vehicles. Off-season is free.