Nye-Holman State Forest

Youth Group Camping

• One site available, accommodates up to 50 campers 
• Open to qualified youth groups only
• Advance reservations are required 
• Youth Group Camping

Archery Range

The Nye Holman Archery range has been available for general public use since the 1980s and involves a primarily one-way walking course of free-standing archery targets that extend through a variety of wooded terrain and field conditions. A separate practice area is included to allow shooters to practice their skills before entering the walk-through course.

• Available for general public use during daylight hours seven days per week, except when posted for special events. 
• Archers are restricted to target field points on arrows. 
• Broadhead hunting-type arrows are strictly prohibited to preserve the longevity of the targets. 
   

Know before you Go

Before heading out, be sure to check the latest water conditions and fishing regulations. 

• Trout Management in Connecticut
• Licenses and Permits, Current Regulations, and More
• Connecticut Is Fishy Interactive Fishing Application
• Freshwater Fishing in Connecticut’s State Parks
• Trout and salmon stamp required to fish.
• Fly fishing only.
• Catch and release only year-round.

The Cole-Wilde Trout Management Area located within the forest was created to encourage novice fly fishers with an accessible catch-and-release only area. Starting at the mouth of Roaring Brook and heading downstream to the Route 74 bridge, this fishing area runs about three miles along the Willimantic River, making it a perfect spot for year-round fly-fishing.

There are 33 State Forests totaling about 175,000 acres in Connecticut. They are managed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Division of Forestry. The Division of Forestry seeks to develop a vigorous, resilient, forest environment capable of sustaining the wide range of demands that the public places on these lands. These demands include a variety of recreational experiences, natural diversity (including threatened and endangered species), the preservation of unique sites (both geologic and archaeological), the provision of raw materials as forest products, and the maintenance of wildlife and fisheries habitats. The Division’s professional foresters work to ensure that these forests remain healthy and vigorous while serving the needs of the citizens of Connecticut.

Connecticut’s woodlands offer many benefits and ecosystem services such as:

1. Forest Ecosystem Health and Diversity – Healthy and diverse forest ecosystems provide highly functional, valuable, and a resilient mix of habitats for plants and animals.
2. Wildlife Habitat – Many of Connecticut’s wildlife species, both common and rare, use different kinds of forested habitats. It is important to create a variety of habitats for animals that have different needs.
3. Climate Change Mitigation through Sequestration and Storage – As climate change continues to be an important global issue, Connecticut’s State Forests can mitigate climate change by sequestering and storing carbon in vegetation above and below ground and as long-lived wood products used locally and beyond.
4. Environmental Protection – Connecticut’s State Forests provide environmental benefits such as cleaning the air, protecting and improving water quality, and contributing to soil health.
5. Forest Protection – Managing Connecticut’s State Forests helps reduce susceptibility to threats such as wildfire, weather events, and invasive plants and insects, keeping them healthy and productive while minimizing spread to neighboring private forestlands.
6. Economic Benefits – Sustainably harvesting forest products like timber, firewood, witch-hazel, and maple syrup from Connecticut’s State Forests provides jobs and raw material for a locally-sourced, forest-based, green economy. The State Forests provide a model for private forest landowners to consider when managing their properties.
7. Recreational/Health Benefits – Recreation opportunities abound across Connecticut’s State Forest system providing a local and economical way to stay healthy and active for Connecticut’s residents and guests.

View current forest management plans for all state forests.

• Sections adjacent to the field archery range in Tolland are closed to all firearms hunting and are designated deer bow-hunting only areas. 
• Youth camping area is closed to all hunting.

Consult DEEP for more information on the latest rules and restrictions by season.

• Hunting Map
• Connecticut Hunting and Trapping
• Interactive Connecticut Hunting Area Maps