So, you just took the first of the only two exams that’ll count toward your grade in your dreaded math requirement and you need to touch grass. At the University of Connecticut, you probably know it isn’t hard to come by. With so much green space on and around campus, how’s one to discover the very best spot? It all depends on your goal — are you hoping to run into Jonathan the Husky, or do you want to watch the sun set behind the tallest mountains in the Northeast? College Magazine asked the UConn Outing Club to share their favorite outdoor spots near UConn (though we’re defining “near” pretty loosely). The club has as many different favorite activities as members, from downhill mountain biking to owl spotting to sunrise yoga. And they travel all over the country, visiting some of the nation’s most breathtaking natural features, so you know their taste is impeccable.
Here are their favorite outdoor spots near the University of Connecticut, perfect for memorable experiences and fresh air.
10. Rumney, New Hampshire: 185 miles from campus
If just one nature spot isn’t enough, try an entire town’s worth. Rumney, like many towns near the White Mountains, is deceptively small for how many activities it offers. However, it’s most famous for rock climbing. The Rumney Rocks feature countless unique cliff faces. Most are outfitted for safe climbs and some offering challenges like a smooth face or overhangs.
“They have some of the best rock climbing in the Northeast and have an incredibly strong community of climbers,” UConn graduate Parker Smith said.
Those who prefer to stay firmly on the ground can explore the town’s Baker River or Stinson Lake, which has its own village. Or fill an afternoon with a visit to the Polar Caves. Formed by glaciers, they extend so far that snow stays in some year-round. It’s a great option for visitors who don’t mind enclosed spaces. Once you’re back in the light of day, you can explore the area for swimming holes like the one at Rumney Falls.
9. Wildcat-Carter-Moriah Traverse in the White Mountains: 245 miles from campus
This is not a quick respite from campus madness. The Wildcat-Carter-Moriah traverse is for those times that you need to be completely enveloped in wilderness, à la Taylor Swift song “the lakes.” Though they’re often ignored in favor of their taller, Western cousins, the Appalachian Mountains will take your breath away. One day, I hope to accomplish a hike as intense as this 21-mile trek, which gains 7,000 feet of elevation and crosses six peaks. With enough preparation, you certainly can.
“It’s my favorite spot because I led a backpacking trip here with an amazing group of people. While it’s easily the most challenging trail I’ve ever hiked, the incredible views and great company made the trail an experience to remember,” UConn senior Marissa White said.
Hikers have the option of staying overnight at the Carter Notch Hut, one of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s historical bunkhouses. At the hut, they can enjoy a hot meal and the camaraderie of fellow adventurers. A good nights’ rest on a bunk bed, rather than the tent floor, helps rejuvenate hikers for the second leg. You can certainly visit each of these mountains individually for a more beginner-friendly experience. But if you’re craving a challenge, this hike might be perfect for you.
8. Breakneck Ridge, New York: 128 miles from campus
Though its name might worry you, Breakneck Ridge is actually very friendly. Really! That is, if you opt out of the challenging original trail, whose steep ascent has been called a rocky elevator shaft and is a trip for more adventurous hikers. Instead, try the recently constructed Nimham Trail. These few hundred stone steps deliver you somewhat less short of breath to a vista of the Hudson River.
“It’s a fairly easy hike so you can really go with anyone, and the rock scrambling at the beginning is a lot of fun. The town and river nearby are also nice to go to and get food or wander around after the hike,” UConn junior Robert Kane said.
The hike only takes a few hours, more than worth it for the panoramic views of the Hudson River and nearby mountains. Pack a sandwich to eat at the top — ham and cheese never tastes quite so good as it does at the end of a hike. You might be surprised to learn that all this wilderness is actually very close to New York City. With its own MTA stop on weekends, this spot also is a perfect way to end a trip to the Big Apple by breathing in some exhaust-free air.
7. Mount Washington and Tuckerman’s Ravine, New Hampshire: 260 miles from campus
Did you know Mount Washington is the tallest mountain in the northeastern United States? Probably. Did you know you can ascend it by car? If you’re from New England, probably, since everyone and their mother has a “This car climbed Mt. Washington” bumper sticker. For a view that makes you feel very small — in a good way — haul yourself, or your car, up this 6,000-footer in the White Mountains. The hike is difficult and can be dangerous due to unpredictable weather, so preparation and a buddy are musts. For soup, stop at the Lake of the Clouds hut, which you may or may not see again from the peak of the mountain, cloud cover depending.
“Tuckerman’s Ravine has awesome skiing and there’s lots of great hiking… I have many memories there with amazing people,” UConn senior Will Shostak said.
Skiers flock to the eastward side of the mountain, a massive glacial bowl called Tuckerman’s Ravine, for downhill thrills. It’s still settled with snow in the summer months. It may not be the best spot to teach your friend from Florida to ski. I recommend Mount Wachusett or Ski Butternut for that purpose. However, skiing on fresh snow is an entirely different thrill, one that Tuckerman’s Ravine is famous for.
6. Fenton River crossing on Turnpike Road, Mansfield, Connecticut: 10 miles from campus
Sometimes listening to nature sounds to try to fall asleep during finals week just won’t cut it. Luckily, you don’t have to go far to find the real thing. At the Fenton River crossing on Old Turnpike Road, you can immerse yourself among characteristic Connecticut wildlife, from blue herons to birches and willows. In the right season, you might even spot salmon. The United States Geological Survey maintains a monitoring station on the river, meaning scientists and students alike learn from the behavior of the river.
“I had a lot of classes there. The Fenton River is a really great resource for students; it’s fun to mix education and recreation,” UConn graduate Connor Caridad said.
A drought combined with UConn’s reliance on nearby well fields for water caused the river to run dry in 2005. Since then, the university has been involved in fish protection and water quality and efficiency improvement measures here. The state routinely stocks the river with trout to assist in repopulation. The river empties into Mansfield Hollow Lake, one of the town’s drinking water reservoirs. If you visit, do your part to keep the Fenton clean and beautiful.
5. Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union, Connecticut: 19 miles from campus
Returning closer to home, check out this state park bordering Massachusetts. It’s a favorite of both states’ locals. The park contains two ponds and a lake, all home to a flourishing variety of fish species. If you want to get up close and personal with them, Mashapaug Lake’s clear, well-maintained water is one of few bodies of water in the region suited for scuba diving, or good old swimming. You’ll have to walk to get there — the lake is only accessible by foot, meaning lots of peace and quiet.
“Bigelow Hollow, home to Mashapaug Lake and Breakneck Pond, was the best place in northeastern Connecticut for a little kid to learn to fish, swim, and catch salamanders. Today, I love kayaking the lake and hiking with my dog, which wouldn’t be possible without everyone doing their part as stewards of these public lands,” Northeastern Connecticut local Kendall Schenck said.
For folks who lean more into their land mammal identity, the park offers hiking, picnicking, birdwatching and more. The Nipmuck trail, which stretches all the way to Massachusetts and touches some of Connecticut’s most iconic sites, crosses through the park. It’s just one of the six trails here that total 35 miles. Like everywhere in New England, I especially recommend visiting the park in the fall. There’s truly nothing like drifting gently through water surrounded by fiery red maples.
4. Franconia Notch, White Mountains, New Hampshire: 204 miles from campus
Dear reader, there’s a bit of bias here, and that’s because I love this area. There’s a reason several travel websites name it among the top state parks in the country. It’s home to some of the most stunning wildlife in the Northeast, has a range of hike difficulties and is practically guaranteed to form core memories. New Hampshire’s beloved state emblem comes from a rock formation that collapsed here in 2003, named the “Old Man of the Mountain” for its appearance as a man’s side profile, and you can visit an entire museum dedicated to its history here. The state park features a stunning flume gorge, fishing, and an aerial tramway up Canon Mountain for a view with over 4,000 feet of elevation.
“It’s a special hike because you can see the whole ridge and how far you’ve come, and it was probably my favorite trip I went on throughout outing club,” UConn graduate Ayla Perosky said.
The area offers ample car camping if you’re not quite ready for full-blown backpacking. You can end the day with a meal and mini golf in the town below. Is it “near” UConn? Sure, if we’re talking in relative terms to, like, Wisconsin. This is a trip worth cajoling your car-owning friend into taking.
3. Natchaug State Forest, Eastford, Connecticut: 11 miles from campus
For more in-state fun, take a 20-minute drive from campus to Natchaug State Forest. Here, you’ll find almost 19 miles of easy and moderate hikes. The park offers the usual suspects of fishing and picnicking. But it also features an impressive web of horse-riding trails and the remains of Civil War general Nathaniel Lyon’s birthplace. If you’ve ever wanted to see a really large stone fireplace, here’s your chance.
“It has some fun hikes, great fishing, and is very close to where I grew up,” UConn senior Brent Freed said.
The Natchaug River originates just above the park and flows straight through it. In fact, the word “Natchaug,” like many names throughout Connecticut, originates from the Nipmuc language and is believed to mean “land between the rivers.” Travel a bit downstream and you’ll come upon Diana’s Pool, an accessible swimming hole perfect for stifling August days. This is also a popular spot for kayaking. After splashing around, visit one of the ice cream spots nearby — Buck’s Soft Serve and the Ashford Dairy Bar.
2. UConn Forest: 0 miles from campus
Just behind this list’s #1 item grows a thick forest, one of the seven tracts of the UConn Forest. It contains around eight miles of well-kept trails. Faculty and students from the university manage the forest, meaning it aims to encourage low-impact recreation. By being mindful of your impact on the ground beneath you, your walk can be just as good for the earth as it is for you.
“I’m partial to the UConn forest because of how large and peaceful it is compared to the hustle and bustle of campus. Just a short walk and you’re surrounded with trees and silence where there once were lawns and noise,” UConn junior Nadav Asal said.
In the Fenton Tract, the largest and closest to campus, wanderers will find various stages of forest maturity. It’s a great way to see concepts from ecology class come to life. From long-established hemlock forests to recent regrowth on former agricultural land, there’s so much history to see. There are even abandoned ski lifts to explore. Also, beavers!
1. Horsebarn Hill, Storrs, Connecticut: 0 miles from campus
Oh, Horsebarn Hill, you magnificent crowd-pleaser, you who have served nobly as my Mac screensaver for five years. This gently sloping hill faces UConn’s fraternity and sorority housing on the border of campus. Here, you’ll find trails as short or long as you’d like, views of the sprawling UConn Forest, and gently waving grass — plus friendly cows munching on it. You might not be alone on the hill, since it’s a popular campus spot. But the upside is that you might make a friend — or meet a local’s dog.
“I like spending time on top of Horsebarn Hill. I can pick a good book, or bring friends and watch the sunset, and it’s very peaceful,” UConn junior Sarah Oltman said.
The hill itself makes a wonderful spot for a picnic (or low-stakes first date — if things go south, at least you saw cows?). There’s nothing like watching the sun set over campus while enjoying your favorite snacks. I always recommend a homemade scoop made with milk from the university’s own cattle at the UConn Dairy Bar, located right next to the hill. Afterward, you can explore the horse stables that give the hill its name, some of which are open to the public. Or, you can plunge deep into the UConn Forest.
Many students highlight destinations in the White Mountains. That’s the beauty of going to college in New England, where even the most distant destinations are one very doable road trip away. But it’s certainly not for a lack of beauty closer to campus, as all the spots in the northeastern Connecticut area demonstrate. There’s a reason they call this region the last green valley — wonder peeks out at every corner. You don’t even necessarily have to leave campus to relish it. The best nature spot to you might be the bit of lichen you always smile at on the side of a building or the daffodils planted by campus landscapers each spring.
Sometimes we become accustomed to daily sights. The beloved hickory tree you’ve laughed, cried and snoozed under fades into the backdrop of campus life. But that doesn’t mean those micro-spots are any less beloved — it means that you’ve built a life in nature even while getting your degree. Happy hiking, snacking and lounging.
