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Connecticut
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Connecticut State Parks

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USA Parks
Connecticut
Greater New Haven Region
Sleeping Giant State Park
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Sleeping Giant State Park Torture at Dusk © Angela Hansen
The hike up Sleeping Giant includes many examples of the twisty Mountain Laurel, state tree of Connecticut
Sleeping Giant State Park Zebra Forest © Angela Hansen
During winter, many of the trees on the Sleeping Giant path feature a single stripe of snow.
Sleeping Giant State Park Three arches with fall foliage © Angela Hansen
A view from the tower at the top of Sleeping Giant
Sleeping Giant State Park Sleeping Giant Tower © Angela Hansen
The tower at Sleeping Giant, with plenty of room for picnicking, inside and out
Sleeping Giant State Park Snowy Trails on Sleeping Giant © Angela Hansen
Sleeping Giant is a great hike, even in the depths of winter... good with either boots or cross-country skiis
Sleeping Giant State Park Sleeping Giant State Park © Gary Jordan
A majestic cliff is seen as you hike from the main entrance towards the tower.
Sleeping Giant State Park From the Window © Gary Jordan
A view from the massive four-story stone observation lookout tower atop Mount Carmel.
Sleeping Giant State Park Lookout Tower © Gary Jordan
This is the Lookout Tower atop Mount Carmel.
Sleeping Giant State Park Inside Tower © Gary Jordan
This photo was taken on the first floor of the Tower. You can picnic on the table but I think use of the fireplace is prohibited.
Sleeping Giant State Park Autumn Foliage © Angela Hansen
Seen while hiking to the Sleeping Giant castle
Sleeping Giant State Park Spotting the Wildlife © Karol Livote
Sleeping Giant State Park The Rocky side of the Mountain © Karol Livote
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SLEEPING GIANT STATE PARK
SLEEPING GIANT STATE PARK
200 Mount Carmel Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut   06518

Phone: 203-789-7498
Toll Free: 866-287-2757
Email: park email button icon
Two miles of mountaintop resembling a sleeping giant give this park its name, and make it a distinguishing feature on Connecticut's skyline
History of the Area
Two miles of mountaintop resembling a large man lying in repose, the "sleeping giant", is a popular feature of the south central Connecticut skyline. A 1 1/2 mile scenic trail leads to the stone observation tower on the peak of Mt. Carmel which provides an excellent view of Long Island Sound and the New Haven area.
Passes
Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under the Passport to the Parks program, parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. You can view the CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS web page to learn more.
Fishing
Sleeping Giant State Park is a designated Trout Management Area.

Location
Sleeping Giant State Park is located near Ansonia, Berlin and Branford
Things To Do in the Area
businesss listing main photo
RiverQuest-Connecticut River Expeditions - Haddam, CT
Boating
Explore the Connecticut River aboard the R/V River Quest, an environmentally friendly 64', 60 passenger vessel docked at Eagle Landing State Park, Haddam, CT.
advertiser WEBSITE | directions to businesss DIRECTIONS
17.8 miles from park*
businesss listing main photo
CT Bike Tours.Com, LLC - GUILFORD, CT
Family Outting
Our Shoreline Bike Boat Tour is a leisurely paced guided ride along the coast on gently rolling hills. We combine it with a narrated 45 minute boat tour of the lovely Thimble Islands. If you have your own bikes and helmets, bring them. Custom guided rides are also available. Minimum age allowed is 16 yrs. old. The bicycle guide, boat tour, bikes, helmets and refreshments are all provided, all you need is your energy
advertiser WEBSITE | directions to businesss DIRECTIONS
3.8 miles from park*
Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
March 9 Best hiking trails! by Karen Veronica Hampe
park review stars; one to five Sleeping giant has some great hiking trails that are treacherous, adventurous, and a great workout while having fun! The view on top of the mountain is excellent. There are also easier/wide hiking trails for familys. You can enjoy fishing at the creeks and small running rivers. There is lots of privacy as well. A great place to spend your day and pack a picnic!
November 24 All Time Favorite CT Park! by Nathan Testerman
park review stars; one to five This park a great! This park use to be a quarry and many of the old structures from the mining company still stand (follow blue to purple trail). This park has 3 freat features; 1) The stream/waterfall/creek is very peaceful (great during all seasons), the fishing is pretty good, and the swiming is a blast as well. 2) The Tower gives you a view of Long Island Sound, The City of New Haven, and Qin.-University. 3) The blue trail (The hardest trail in the park) will lead you on a winding tail pretty much straight up the face of the old quarry, there are some sections that timid hikers may find themselves crawling. Overall this park has something for everybody; the view, the peacefulness, and the challenge all make for an amazing park!
May 6 A PLACE TO TAKE A CAT NAP IN PEACE by ETOWER99
park review stars; one to five I HAVE WALKED MANY TIMES TO THE TOWER WALKED BY THE BROOK AND JUST HANG OUT IF I HAVE EXTRA TIME. ITS QUIET PEACEFULL AND NO ONE WILL BUG YOU IF YOU ARE THERE TO GET A SMALL CAT NAP
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Area Campgrounds
Lake Compounce Campground
185 Enterprise Drive
Bristol, CT
860-583-3300
Totoket Valley RV Park
244 Foxon Road
North Branford, CT
203-484-0099
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
From I-91: take Exit 10. Then get onto Route 40 connector and stay on until the end. At the light, take a right onto Route 10N drive 1? miles then take a right onto MT Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From Wilbur Cross Parkway: take Exit 61. Go north onto Whitney Avenue for 3 miles and take a right onto MT. Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

From I-84 to Cheshire: take Route 70S onto Route 10 south drive 5 miles. Then take a left at the light onto MT. Carmel Avenue. The park entrance is on the left across from Quinnipiac University.

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Connecticut
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Connecticut State Parks

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