Huntington Pond in Connecticut

Trip Overview

Huntington State Park is a gem hidden away in the Town of Redding, Connecticut.

The ponds (there are 3) are connected by narrow and navigable outlets that travel under two footbridges that are part of the trail system. The previous paddler's report dated September 10, 2007 describes the lakes perfectly.

We launched our kayaks around 9:30 and spent about 4 hours paddling around the lakes a few times. Occasionally it was enjoyable to simply float and enjoy the birds, turtles, ducks and geese that have made the area home. The beaver lodge the previous reviewer mentioned is in fact occupied, and we actually observed one of the beavers moving through the water not far from the lodge. Once submerged he/she didn't appear again.

We had packed a lunch and my wife and I hauled out on a small earthen dam that fed into a lowland marsh area. We enjoyed lunch in the company of 2 "brown snakes" sunning themselves.

We only saw one other person on the water fishing in a canoe but were greeted often by some families walking the trails. Also spent some time floating and chatting with a father and son who were fishing off of one of the footbridges.

It was well worth the trip and it is a place that we plan to return to often due to the fact it is so close to home.

Accommodations:

There are portable toilets in the park, however we didn't see any near to the water. Could also be due to the fact that it is early in the season

Fees:

None

Directions:

Rte 58 to Sunset Hill Road. Turn onto Old Dodgingtown Road and follow to the 2nd parking area at the end of the road.

Resources:

I use maps.live.com to get some great satellite photos of different areas we are planning to visit.