Sunnybrook State Park — Attraction in Torrington

If this park is a hidden gem for some, I’m not sure it is viewed that way by outsiders like us. As far as CT State Parks go, I was really surprised at how poorly marked and maintained this park was. We arrived to do some easy hiking with our infant (in a carrier) and our dog (we came here only after Burr Pond was closed for capacity).

Right when you arrive in the parking lot, the tattered and torn map was a sign of what the rest of the park would be. The map itself doesn’t even identify what all of the symbols are on it (the legend is lacking).

We started our walk toward what we assumed was the proper trails, only to find ourselves in a former abandoned parking lot (kind of strangely cool, but not on the map, so we were lost). We walked for about 20 minutes on what we thought was the blue trail, only to realize it was an old access road that didn’t lead to anywhere.

We figured we would end the trip by the water we saw at the beginning so the dog could cool off. That’s when we found the first yellow trail marking. We were WAY off course and only found it by chance.

Once walking the yellow trail, we found it really lovely. But we wasted our day lost on access roads and had to call it quits. When we realized where we should have made a turn, we concluded it was rotten posts with absent markers that kept us from knowing where the trails are.

This place would probably be a gem if it were just...

Sunnybrook is a local favorite! Several clearly marked trails of different lengths - blue, white, yellow and red. You will see trees chewed by beavers. and herons' nests, too! Sharper eyes will see remnants of the old Fadoir Farm, such as rusting farm equipment and a bathtub for thirsty cows. Very dog friendly. For a longer hike, you can follow the Blue Trail (John Muir Trail) across Newfield Road, to Walnut Mountain (the highest point in Torrington, but no vista) and ultimately...

Beautiful place to hike, trails are clear & well marked. Unfortunately it has become nothing more than a dog park. Even though it is posted "keep dogs on leash", people refuse to leash their dogs. The sad truth is, sooner or later, the wrong two dogs are going to meet. Also, be kind remove your dog's waste, at the very least, move it off the trails. Hiked here for 20 yrs, rarely hike there...