Hidden Valley Preserve - Washington Depot, CT
Hidden Valley Preserve – Dog-Friendly Hiking in Washington Depot, Connecticut
Located in the scenic Washington Depot area, Hidden Valley Preserve offers a unique blend of pet-friendly hiking and stunning natural views. This preserve stands out as a top dog park destination in Washington Depot, Connecticut, with well-maintained, flat and wide trails that make it accessible for all ages and abilities, including those with mobility challenges. The picturesque Henry David Thoreau hanging bridge, well-marked trails, and a fascinating abandoned quartz mine are just some of the attractions that walkers—both two- and four-legged—can enjoy.
Dogs are welcome throughout the park, making it a perfect spot for dog-friendly hiking and adventures. With a large parking area close to the main trails and several picnic sites along the river, both pet owners and families can easily make a day of exploring this beautiful preserve. Trails are easy to navigate, and while there isn’t a designated off-leash or fenced dog run, dogs can enjoy the great outdoors alongside their owners. Don’t forget to take a picture of the trail map before you start, as cell service may be unreliable in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed at Hidden Valley Preserve?
Yes, dogs are welcome on all trails and areas of the preserve. - Is Hidden Valley Preserve wheelchair accessible?
Yes, there is a wheelchair accessible parking lot and the trails are generally flat and wide. - Is there parking available?
Yes, a large parking lot is available close to the main trails and bridge. - Are there kid-friendly activities?
Yes, the park offers good options for families and children, with safe and easy walking trails. - Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park?
Yes, the preserve features multiple scenic and well-marked hiking trails. - Are picnics allowed in the park?
Yes, there are picnic areas along the trails and riverbanks.
Reviews
Absolutely love this location. The Henry David Thoreau hanging bridge is pretty impressive and the perfect subject for fall foliage photography. The parking area is super close to the bridge, so you don’t have to hike miles to see it. The rest of the trails are pretty flat and wide, for the most part, and easy to walk and navigate. The trail markings perfectly align with the maps and are easy to follow from one trail to another. We hiked to the abandoned quartz mine and were blown away by how much quartz was still in the area. Several other footbridges and man made staircases were helpful to see both sides of the river. There were some people along the trails but it was not overcrowded (during the week). I will definitely return to this location to do more hiking, to check out the lookouts and the train tracks.
So there is a large parking area for this trail. There will be 2 bridges along the way that u can cross. There are also many trails u can choose from here and some are listed on the all trails app. We hiked over to see the quartz mine cave and it’s such a beautiful area to check out. It’s only about a 15 min hike to get to it. Definitely dog friendly area.
Absolutely gorgeous! If you go in the winter it can be icy. Stagger your steps and follow the edges where crunchy snow and leaves are dry. Has a magical quality when the moss and hearty greens peek through the glistening snow in the sunlight.
We felt there should have been signs on all the intersections telling hikers where and how far the next attraction was located (like in Europe). In other words, I forgot to take a picture of the map. Rookie mistake! If you want to see the mine, just walk straight up the trail from the main big parking lot. Don’t cross any of the bridges to your left like we did or you will have to cross back over at the second bridge to pick up the main trail. Or…just take a pic of the trail map before you hike. 🙂 NOTE: No cell service with Verizon.
Excellent place to hike with dogs or family. Well-marked, well maintained trails. Beautiful views. Picnic areas along some of the trails and river. Different kinds of terrain. A little slick in some places but very manageable.