Travel
Getting there
The pavilion at Peoples State Forest, East River Road, Barkhamsted, CT 06063.
The last mile
- Take Route 44 west to Barkhamsted.
- Turn right onto Route 318 at the light, signed Pleasant Valley.
- Cross the green steel bridge.
- Turn left immediately onto East River Road.
- Drive about a mile north. The entrance is on the left.
Coming from
- West Hartford25 miles, 40 minutes. Route 44 west to the Route 318 light.
- Hartford and I-9130 miles, 45 minutes. Route 44 west to Barkhamsted.
- Waterbury, New Haven, and New YorkRoute 8 north to Winsted, Route 44 east a few miles, left at the Route 318 light. From New York City, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Boston and the Mass PikeI-84 west to Hartford, Route 44 west to Barkhamsted. About 2 hours 15 minutes.
- Springfield and points northI-91 south to Route 20 west, through Granby to Riverton, then East River Road south about 4 miles. About 1 hour.
- Bradley Airport (BDL)30 miles, 50 minutes. Route 20 west to Riverton, then East River Road south.
Parking
- ParkingFree with Connecticut plates. Out-of-state plates pay $15 on weekends.
- Park(860) 379-2469 · Peoples State Forest on ctparks.com
Where to stay
Book early
Columbus Day weekend and peak foliage. Inns near the forest fill first.
Closest to the forest 5 to 15 minutes
- Old Riverton Inn Riverton · 10 minutes · historic inn, 10 rooms, on the river road 436 East River Road, Riverton, CT 06065 (860) 379-8678
- Chapin Park Bed & Breakfast New Hartford · 10 minutes 45 Church Street North, New Hartford, CT 06057 (860) 379-1075
- Cottages and homes to rent Barkhamsted, Riverton, New Hartford, Winsted · 5 to 20 minutes VrboAirbnb
Avon and Simsbury 25 to 35 minutes
- Avon Old Farms Hotel Avon · 30 minutes · on Route 44 279 Avon Mountain Road, Avon, CT 06001 (860) 677-1651
- Residence Inn Hartford Avon Avon · 30 minutes · suites with kitchens 55 Simsbury Road, Avon, CT 06001 (860) 678-1666
- The Simsbury Inn Simsbury · 35 minutes · 100 rooms 397 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 (860) 651-5700
- Simsbury 1820 House Simsbury · 35 minutes · historic house, 32 rooms 731 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 (860) 658-7658
West Hartford and Farmington 40 to 45 minutes
- Delamar West Hartford West Hartford · 40 minutes · in West Hartford Center 1 Memorial Road, West Hartford, CT 06107 (860) 937-2500
- Hartford Marriott Farmington Farmington · 45 minutes · off I-84 15 Farm Springs Road, Farmington, CT 06032 (860) 678-1000
- Homewood Suites Hartford-Farmington Farmington · 45 minutes · suites, free breakfast 2 Farm Glen Boulevard, Farmington, CT 06032 (860) 321-0000
Near Bradley Airport 50 minutes
- Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport Windsor Locks · 50 minutes · at the terminal 1 Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (860) 627-5311
- Hilton Garden Inn Hartford North / Bradley Airport Windsor · 50 minutes 555 Corporate Drive, Windsor, CT 06095 (860) 688-6400
Things to do
Some of Mark's favorites.
Places to eat
- BriccoWest Hartford Center
- Savoy PizzeriaWest Hartford Center
- The Quaker DinerWest Hartford
- The North HouseAvon
- Tulmeadow Farm StoreWest Simsbury
- Julien’s Farm StoreGranby
Outdoors
- Heublein TowerHike up Talcott Mountain, Simsbury
- Reservoir #1Walk the West Hartford reservoir
Kid friendly spots
- West Hartford Public LibraryWest Hartford Center
- Westmoor ParkFarm animals and trails, West Hartford
- Fern ParkPlayground, West Hartford
- Flamig FarmPetting zoo and hayrides, West Simsbury