West Rock Ridge State Park

From the many impressive vantage points along the ridge, take in up to 200 square miles of views, from New Haven Harbor to Long Island Sound to Sleeping Giant to Lakes Dawson and Watrous. Rising from 400 feet of elevation at the South Summit in New Haven to 715 feet of elevation at High Rock in Bethany on the Hamden border, the park’s six-mile long ridge is a non-stop series of jawdropping vistas.

Whether you decide to drive to the South Overlook, hike along the seven-mile long Blue-Blazed Regicides Trail, which connects to the Quinnipiac Trail at High Rock, or go for a ride along 11 miles of the some of the state’s top mountain biking terrain, you choose how you want to explore the park.

Regicide Drive, the 1.6 mile long road from Wintergreen Avenue to the South Overlook and Judges Cave, is open daily from Memorial Day weekend until the last weekend in October from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Regicides Edward Whalley and William Goffe sought refuge at the cave in 1661 and 1664 from agents of King Charles II of England, who was seeking their capture and execution.  

A composting toilet is available at the Lake Wintergreen parking area.  

Fun Fact: West Rock Ridge has one of the highest concentration of rare and endangered species of any park in the state.