Cotton Hollow Preserve — Attraction in Glastonbury

Delightful place though officially restricted to Glastonbury residents. I don't know how much they enforce that restriction. The official entrance is from Hopewell Road about a mile up from the light on Main Street in S Glastonbury and just before the intersection with Matson Hill Road. There is space for about a dozen cars. If it's not a busy hot summer weekend and you don't advertise yourselves as aliens, I'd be very surprised if anyone questioned you. A steep rock trail leads down along Roaring Brook to a beautiful natural swimming hole. You can, even if non-resident, also approach the reserve from below along Cotton Hollow Road and experience its beauty without a hike. Or hike in from there if you choose. The road runs east from Rt 17, opposite Rt 160 just north of the bridge over Roaring Brook in South Glastonbury. It might be mistaken for a driveway winding around behind Gardener's Market. After crossing a field, the road runs into the ravine right beside the brook, classic beautiful, ,crystal clear New England brook. There is then a small unmarked parking area beside the brook - no evident exclusion of non-residents. Stop there and enjoy if you wish. 'No Parking' signs beyond there but you can hike to the end of the road. The owner of the end lets hikers cross the narrow part of the yard to a rough trail that lead to the ruins of a Civil War cotton mill. A sign in the yard of the first house, right by the brook, tells of George Stocking's powder mill that supplied powder to the Continental Army. It exploded on Aug 23, 1777. George and two of his sons perished. Elisha, age seven, had been sent on an errand. He was my great...

This is a spot I used to like taking my kids to for a swim when it gets hot in the summer. The trail portions that I’ve seen are very picturesque. Unfortunately, word about this once hidden gem has gotten out. I absolutely love the little watering hole that you can swim in, but there are always a lot of people there now. Many of them are teens and 20 somethings who leave a lot of trash and litter behind. Today was also the second time I’ve been there in a row where you could smell marijuana long before you reached the area to swim. In fact, the police were walking out as we got there. It’s no longer a place that I would bring my kids to. This is rather unfortunate because it would otherwise be a very nice outdoor space. The landscape and scenery easily deserve five stars, however the way how humans have treated the place has lowered effect...

The short hike to the swimming hole is absolutely beautiful. The dense canopy of trees provided some much needed shade on our way to the water. After less than 10 minutes along some winding, & rather difficult, trails we came to the area where the stream pools. There was maybe 30 people, everyone was very polite & the place is SO CLEAN. The water was cool & refreshing with quite a few spots to swim. I recommend the hike & the swimming but make sure you're up for the hike. Some parts are a bit dangerous. I watched a kid around the age of 10 hike it without any issues but it does have some steep spots. Please be responsible & respectful if you decide to visit. It's a wonderful place & it deserves our...