During our time in beautiful Kent, Connecticut, we visited nearby Kent Falls State Park to hike, see the waterfalls engorged by recent heavy rains, and enjoy the cooler weather. The hike was simple and only took about 40 minutes round trip, which may have been elongated since I stopped to take photos. Overall, this was my favorite state park we’ve visited in Connecticut, and I think you’ll agree that it’s truly splendid!
Entry, Parking, and Hours
The state park is free to all residents of Connecticut, and out-of-state visitors have to pay a parking fee of $10 during the week and $15 on weekends. There was an attendant there to verify residency and collect parking fees.
Once the parking lot is full, the park is considered closed, so get there early if you want to guarantee yourself a parking spot, particularly if you think it will be busy, like during weekends, after heavy rains, when the leaves change colors, or at sunset. Sometimes, the parking lot may be full for hours as people grill, picnic, hike, and explore the state park.
The state park is currently open from 8 am to 8 pm. Outside of summer, I recommend checking for updated hours here. Be aware that entry into the water is not allowed at any time.
Difficulty
The hike is steep but not difficult, and there are handholds for rockier sections of the hike. Some spots are very rocky, so wear close-toed tennis shoes or hiking boots and stay on the marked trails. If it’s recently rained, some areas are quite muddy and can be slick, so watch out for that. Several observation decks as you hike up the mountain are great spots to stop and admire the waterfalls.
What to Wear & Bring
I recommend wearing proper hiking attire, wearing comfortable close-toed shoes or hiking boots, and bringing bug spray. If it’s particularly hot, definitely bring water, as there’s nowhere to stop to get some along the hike.
Final Thoughts
This was a beautiful diversion during our time in Kent. I’d love to come back someday and have a picnic here as the expansive grassy areas near the parking and the covered bridge simply beg visitors to spread out a blanket, have lunch, and enjoy the great outdoors.
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