Our Hiking Adventures To Kent Falls State Park took us on a gorgeous Fall day to the public recreation area located in the town of Kent, Connecticut, within the Litchfield Hills region of the southern Berkshires. The state park is home to Kent Falls, a series of waterfalls on Falls Brook, a tributary of the Housatonic River. The falls drop 250 feet in under a quarter mile. The largest cascade drops more than 70 feet into a reflecting pool, before traveling over the lesser falls.
The Indian name of the falls is Scatacook, and there is evidence that the area was used by Native Americans for fishing and camping. Mills stood along the brook during colonial times. Kent Falls was established as a state park after 200 acres of land was given to the state in 1919 as a gift from the White Memorial Foundation. Workers with the Civil Works Administration contributed to the park’s development in the 1930s.
In the 1970s, trail reconstruction was done by the Youth Conservation Corps of America. In 2006, observation platforms were constructed along a trail next to the falls; at the base of the falls, a terraced observation area paved with native flag stones was created to allow access to a calm-water wading pool. The park has a replica of a covered bridge that allows visitors like our family in our hiking adventures to Kent Falls State Park to cross the brook and access the falls. In addition to its scenery, the park offers hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
Our Hiking Adventures To Kent Falls State Park was one hour drive from home so we decided to make it a day trip with a picnic to go. The ride to the state park was scenic and the beauty of natural Connecticut along the way made the trip worthwhile. Once we arrived, we enjoyed our family picnic before walking off the calories from the waffle and fried chicken along with kale salad.
You can’t miss the cascade of water into the pool and we had to make a stop before going on our hike. We decided to explore the Red Loop Trail which is a 0.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail and good for all skill levels. Our girls couldn’t wait to dip their toes in the water midway and they have learned to bring their crocs shoes on each hike for that reason.
Our Hiking Adventures To Kent Falls State Park was exactly the family adventure we needed to wander across the covered bridge, hike the falls, and feel the mist on our face as water cascades 250 feet down on its way to join the Housatonic River. We are thankful for the many outdoor opportunities Connecticut seemed to offer our family to create memories to last us for a lifetime.
