Macedonia Brook State Park

A couple of years ago, Yankee Magazine named the best places to go to see Autumn Foliage in New England.  As you can imagine, the list was mostly towns in Vermont and New Hampshire.  Who was number 1 on the list?  Kent, Connecticut.  What?  How can that be?  I was a little shocked myself and though I love Kent, couldn't understand the ranking.  Then we went hiking at Macedonia Brooke State Park and now I understand.  Furthermore, we are going back this Fall to see the foliage.

Depending on where you live in Fairfield County, the drive will take anywhere between 15 minutes to over an hour.  There is camping available but please note that reservations must be made early in the season, as campsites are popular and do fill up quickly.  The campsites we walked by were fairly secluded with a stream running past them, big enough for fishing and sandy areas for kids to play.  Should you want to reserve, use this link: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325034&deepNav_GID=1621  Just scroll down to Macedonia Brook State Park.  

We just went for a day hike and felt like we were in New Hampshire or Maine.  We hiked the Macedonia Ridge Trail (part of the Blue Trail).  The parking lot for this trail is on the left, right after you enter into the park.  The views on the ridge were spectacular and we had lunch looking out into New York and the Catskill Mountains.  We left the blue trail, which is a loop, and went down a bit of the Green Trail to the Orange Trail and then back to our car.  This made the hike only 3.5 miles.  It is a very steep climb at first, so probably best for older children.  Also, note the Green Trail is a scramble down.  There is one part where suddenly a ledge appears with a significant drop (we were looking out for this after reading the guide books).  We went down with no problem (though the dog needed help) but I wouldn't want kids running ahead falling down.  Should you want to do the Blue Trail loop, its a good six mile hike with most of the climbing in the beginning on the Macedonia Ridge Trail.  I would always recommend taking a first aid kit and a bottle of liquid benadryl in case of any allergic reactions, what we bring on our hikes.  Remember plenty of water.  The hike wasn't long but you are going up.

Here is a good trail map: http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/stateparks/maps/macedonia.pdf

The view was amazing and I don't think the picture does it justice.  There were many rock outcrops on the ridge for having lunch.  

I recommend bringing a lunch to have at the top.  We found a nice deli on the way in New Milford, CT on Route 7.  Home Plate Deli,  46 Danbury Road (Rt 7), New Milford, 860-799-5555.  It is the best deli we have found so far on our way to hiking trips.  Good prices as well.