Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area — Local services in Simsbury

This 137-acre property is a wildlife management and training area for hunting dogs. The Farmington River runs besides it and it was a farm that was purchased by the state in the 1970s. The dirt road going into the area is a little conspicuous. The road was very narrow and had potholes that could take you to Australia; just drive really slow. There's a paved bike trail right beside it too.

When I went, I parked on the first parking area to the left. I walked down the dirt road (which was muddy due to rain) and saw a huge pond to the right. The pond was clean and pristine with a little beach. There was a long walking path near a giant field that was being mowed the day I went. I saw other people walking, walking their dogs, and even a kayaker. The park was quiet and very serene. There are many recreational activities to do there; hunting, fishing, hiking, and kayaking/canoeing.

The main use for this property is field trials; hunting dogs are trained for speed, style, and locating/retrieving of game. The field and water are crucial for this type of traning. When there are field trial trainings, the park will be closed. There is a schedule you can check online to see if the park is available for the public.

During the fall and winter, it is advised that visitors and their dogs wear orange vests due to hunting season; however, discharging of ammunition is allowed daily. Overall, it was a lovely area to take a stroll! We had a fun time walking and relaxing...

Absolutely fantastic open space for both dogs and owners. It is a little trick to find the entrance. Either take an immediate right after the bike bath and head down the road until it becomes dirt, and then a parking area. Or pass Chubb building on left and park on right at last possible row. Head down about halfway and you will find a trail that cuts through the brush and opens up into the park. Spectacular area and I wish more places like this...

Really nice for dogs. I guess the bigger the dog, the more they'll enjoy it - as the main open field area is flat and they can see for some distance. There is at least one rough trail to follow and the sides have the Farmington river and a stream as borders. Note that the access roads to the central parking area are dirt and can be pretty uneven. The web site indicates that this can be used for dog trials and may not always be available...