Babcock Preserve - Greenwich, CT
Babcock Preserve in Greenwich, CT, is a premier dog park offering extensive pet-friendly trails and a variety of outdoor activities perfect for dog owners and families alike. This expansive 4700-acre preserve features well-marked hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, including kid-friendly hikes and scenic elevation points that provide beautiful views. Dogs are welcome on leash, and the park is equipped with amenities such as public restrooms and picnic areas with grills, making it an ideal spot for a day out with your furry friend.
What makes Babcock Preserve unique is its peaceful, uncrowded environment where visitors can enjoy nature and wildlife while exploring numerous trail options. The park also offers lean-to and tent camping sites for those looking to extend their stay. Visitors appreciate the clean, well-maintained trails and the respectful dog owners who keep the area pleasant for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a quiet walk or a longer hike, Babcock Preserve provides a versatile and welcoming dog-friendly hiking experience in Greenwich, CT.
FAQ for Babcock Preserve in Greenwich Connecticut:
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Dogs are supposed to be leashed at Babcock Preserve, although some visitors have noticed dogs off leash.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Yes, there are poop bags and garbage cans at the entrance, and visitors are reminded to clean up after their dogs.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms available in the park.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, Babcock Preserve is open year-round.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are many well-marked hiking trails throughout the 4700 acres of the preserve, with options for longer or shorter routes.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, the park has several nice picnic areas with grills, some right by the river.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? The park can get very muddy after significant rainfall, but it is less wet than it used to be in years past.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is shade throughout the park, and there are lean-to camping sites with fire pits for shelter.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids with kid-friendly hikes available.
Reviews
No trail map at the beginning had to find this online. There is no yellow trail on the map shown. If you stick to blue and yellow you should be OK but many white trails you can get turned around. Each time I’ve hiked this about once a year I get lost. Would love better marked trails. I do enjoy the scenery so hence my four stars.
I think you can easily get lost there unless you’re familiar its not easy to walk either just green and very quiet for a hot summer day to be in shade. Dogs supposed to be leashed but noticed unleashed and also relieving by themselves with owners walking further ahead.
Great preserve. Trails well blazed. GLT trail and GRTA trails adjacent are exceptionally nice. While many take their dogs here they are respectful and pick up after them. Big thanks. 4 White trails run across the preserve allow for adjusting hikes. This preserve is moderately easy: climb some downed trees, cross rocky streams, stay on marked trails to give wildlife a chance to returnWildlife limited by dogs so occasional birds, deer and squirrels. Not as wet as years past so very beautiful now gets very muddy after significant rainfall.
Easy walking, trails aren’t particularly well marked but the preserve is a loop, so hard to get lost. There was deer fencing in some places and the difference in the amount of undergrowth in the fenced part, mostly mountain laurel, was stark. Have only done a winter walk, so can’t assess other undergrowth. Pretty streams throughout but not too muddy.
Beautiful and easy loop. However try and download or have a map with you as there are multiple trails and you will start on the blue trail only to find yourself on the red yellow or white trail. There are no maps at the entrance.Pictures below were taken in early NovemberDogs are allowed on a leash they have poop bags at the entrance and garbage cans so please remember to clean after your dog as some earlier commentators mentioned walking into unpleasant surprises 💩Also check your dogs after for ticks.