Northfield Brook Lake Group Shelters

Northfield Brook Lake Group Shelters are located along a small scenic lake in the Naugatuck Valley of west-central Connecticut, a region of picturesque small towns and rolling hills where public recreation is valued. On warm summer evenings, people gather at the park to enjoy hiking, picnicking and other outdoor activities. Each of the two picnic shelters can be reserved for up to 100 people, in spring, summer and early fall, though guests are invited to walk the park during daylight hours any time of year. The park also has picnic tables, grills and horseshoe pits. A 1.7-mile long hiking trail follows the brook upstream and up the forested hillside. Anglers seek out stocked trout, as well as warm water fish naturally found in the lake, such as bass. Children and families can learn about natural resources and water safety by attending educational programs given by park rangers on weekends. The 208 acres of undeveloped public land at Northfield Brook Lake are managed for recreation, forest and wildlife. The mixed pine and hardwood forest presents a brilliant backdrop of colors during fall foliage season, and wildlife is abundant in the reservoir area: white-tailed deer, beaver, red fox, raccoon, gray squirrel and cottontail rabbits either live in or visit project lands, and birds spotted at the lake include Canada geese, wood ducks, great blue heron, osprey and American kestrel. The small town of Thomaston has grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations. Visitors might also enjoy a short drive through the scenic Northwest Hills of Connecticut and the quaint New England towns of Litchfield and Goshen.