Spanning more than 6,900 acres and stretching over five different towns, the Salmon River State Forest is one of Connecticut’s most pristine sections of untouched nature. Our Connecticut adoption professionals think all nature lovers in the area should see this majestic forest at least once. There are plenty of fun outdoor activities to enjoy here, along with the only remaining covered bridge in eastern Connecticut. Here are some of our favorite aspects of the Salmon River State Forest:
Comstock’s Bridge
Comstock’s Bridge is one of only three historic covered bridges in Connecticut and listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This bridge was built in 1840 and is open to pedestrian traffic today. You can find the bridge in southeastern East Hampton near the junction of Comstock Bridge Road and Colchester Avenue. The bridge was seriously damaged in the 1920s after a truck crashed through the floor. A major renovation project in the 1930s helped restore the bridge by using recycled parts from old buildings and adding new gates to each end.
Salmon River Trail
The Salmon River Trail is a 6.9-mile Blue-Blazed hiking trail running through Colchester and East Hampton. It is almost entirely located within the Salmon River State Forest and Day Pond State Park. Nearly all of the trail is in Colchester, while the parking lot and part of the Comstock Bridge over the Salmon River are located in East Hampton.
The Salmon River trail is a popular destination for hikers, backpackers, picnickers, and snowshoers. Additionally, some sections of the trail are used for cross-country skiing and geocaching. Other popular activities on this trail include birdwatching, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, bouldering, and rock climbing.
Activities on the Salmon River
We love visiting Salmon River State Forest for fun on the water during the summer. Despite its natural beauty, this forest is usually pretty quiet. While you’ll see a few other families around the river, it rarely gets crowded.
Some of our favorite activities to enjoy on the river and its shores include:
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Barbequeing
- Swimming
- Water polo
- Ultimate disc
When to Visit
We think that early autumn is one of the best times of year to visit Salmon River State Forest, as the forest offers breathtaking views of the changing of colors. We love sitting along the shores of the river and taking in the surrounding oranges, yellows, and reds during a crisp fall day. Of course, summer and spring days are also great times to visit for the warm weather and fun outdoor activities. Even a winter trip can be worthwhile, as the forest transforms into a winter wonderland falling a snowfall.
