8 Connecticut State Parks and Forests with Cabins for Big Families

Eight of Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests have rustic cabins for rent that will put you right in the middle of some of the state’s most beautiful natural settings. All cabins are 14 feet by 17 feet with room for families of 5 and 6. Each cabin has a covered porch and two rooms, one with a double bed and the other with two bunk beds. There are no bathrooms or kitchens, but shared restrooms with showers are nearby.

American Legion State Forest

The park’s signature trail, the Henry Buck Trail, leads through the forest to the ruins of an old cheese box mill, climbs the cliffs, and continues down the north slope. The park offers many other hikes on its eleven miles of trails, as well as cycling on park roads. Visitors are also welcome to camp, hunt, trap, picnic, snowshoe, cross-country ski, snowmobile, ice hike, go boating, canoeing, and kayaking, playfield sports, and fish. (6 available)

Black Rock State Park

Black Rock is a designated Trout Park, bring your fishing gear to take in some stream and pond fishing. Other activities include hiking, picnicking, swimming, and field sports. Hiking is available on the Mattatuck Trail, from the Grey Stone section of Waterbury to the Wigwam Reservoir in Morris. This trail offers a scenic view of the Naugatuck Valley, highlighting Black Rock. Check out the many side trails, where one can see Black Rock Lake, Black Rock Pond, mature forests, and meadows. Hikes can last from 30 minutes to all day. Facilities include two full bathhouses with showers and flush toilets. (4 cabins available)

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Swim in the saltwater, collect shells, build a sandcastle, sunbathe, relax, and walk along the 3/4 mile boardwalk, gazing upon Long Island Sound. Summer activities include nature talks, bingo, movies, horseshoes, bocce, and volleyball. The children’s play area offers a pirate ship, swings, and slides. Visit Meigs Point Nature Center and experience the hands-on saltwater touch tank or search for the hundreds of bird species present at the park. As Connecticut’s largest public beach park, Hammonasset offers many amenities, including restrooms, showers, a camp store, dump stations, and water. (6 cabins available)

Hopeville Pond State Park

Hopeville Pond State Park consists of 544 acres and is located in Griswold, CT. Activities include picnicking, freshwater fishing, swimming, boating, field sports, a nature trail, hiking, and bicycling. Park facilities include a dumping station, boat launch ramp, concessions, drinking water, and showers. (1 available)

Search State Cabins in 50 States

Housatonic Meadows State Park

Housatonic Meadows State Park contains 451 acres located in Sharon, CT, in the picturesque valley of the Housatonic River. A two-mile stretch of river, including the park shore, is limited to fly fishing. Housatonic Meadows is an ideal setting for a variety of other outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, canoeing, and cross-country skiing. Park facilities include restrooms, showers, drinking water, gravel parking, and a pay telephone. (4 cabins available)

Kettletown State Park

Kettletown State Park, situated in the towns of Southbury and Oxford, covers 605 acres. The park offers camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing. Park facilities include restrooms and picnic tables. (6 cabins available)

Lake Waramaug State Park

Activities in the park include camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing, car-top boating, scuba diving, field sports, hiking, ice skating, nature programs, and mountain biking. Lake Waramaug Campground facilities include restrooms, showers, drinking water, a dumping station, picnic shelters, a concession, and gravel/grass parking. (6 cabins available)

Rocky Neck State Park

Located on Long Island Sound in the town of East Lyme, 710-acre Rocky Neck is a popular recreation spot. There are 5 miles of hiking trails on the western side of the park, as well as ocean-side picnic areas. Other activities include a wildlife viewing platform, interpretive programs, scuba diving, saltwater swimming and fishing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, rollerblading, and camping. Park facilities include restrooms, food concessions, group picnic pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, drinking water, paved and gravel parking, and pay telephones. (3 available)