A river in the woods with green leaves (shutterstock)

Gay City State Park

Hebron, CT

Recreation. Relaxation. Exploration. With more than 1,500 acres of parkland, you’ll discover Gay City State Park offers almost endless opportunities for outdoor fun and family-friendly activities. Among its main attractions are the miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and lakeside beach, which are all among the long-extinct mill-town ruins and antiquated cemetery.

Located in eastern Connecticut between the towns of Hebron and Bolton, Gay City is a year-round spot for those who want to be outdoors. It’s the perfect place for swimming, fishing, biking, youth camping (with a permit), picnicking, and hiking during spring, summer and fall, and snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Fun fact: The name "Gay City" derives from the many residents named “Gay” who once lived in the old mill town that once occupied the site. The town was settled in 1796 by a group of Methodists unhappy with Hartford’s harsh alcohol restrictions — it’s not surprising it was eventually also home to a distillery! Gay City is also home to the Hartford Marathon’s annual Summer Solstice Trail Run.

Views from the Park

A man with two dogs hiking in the woods (Instagram@krigiz)

A bridge over water dam (Instagram@ilovemoo)

Woman running a race to the finish line (Instagram@soundrunner_racing)

A dog sitting on a tree stump in the woods (Instagram@javadventures)

Water reflecting surrounding trees and sky (shutterstock)

A river in the woods in the fall (Instagram@mikelphotoz)

Location

435 North St.
Hebron, CT 06248

Get Directions

Details

Open Daily: Late April – Columbus Day
(8:00 a.m. – Sunset)

Parking available off-season

Park Maps

Contact

Main (203) 245-2785

Two women horseback riding in the fall (Instagram@daniellaa81)

Activities

Overview

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Park Trails Map | Mobile
No alcohol in the park

Camping

Fishing

Geology

Gay City State Park is known for its lakeside beaches, however, the park reveals a significant amount of Connecticut geology as well. As you enter the park from Route 85, follow the park road and bear to the left where the road forks. At the end of the road is a small parking lot with an entrance to the white trail leading to the Mill Site.

Rock Types Found on Main Trail:

Igneous (Pegmatite), Metamorphic (Amphibolite, Schist, Gneiss)

Rock Units:

Collins Hill Formation (Ordovician): Metavolcanic member consisting of schist, gneiss, and amphibolite

Minerals of Interest:

Amphibole, Garnet, Muscovite, Biotite

Interesting Geologic Features:

Parallel Fractures, Veins, Photograph of old mill site along white trail

Hiking

Trails

Historic

Nature

Other

Picnicking

Swimming

Know Before You Go

Current Water Quality Report (updated weekly, Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information

Winter

Fees

FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles
$10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays)
$15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays)
$112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass)

Accessibility

Parking

Picnic Tables

Pets

Picnic Areas & Hiking Trails
Yes, on leash

Beach
Not permitted