🌤 Weather at Belding Wildlife Management Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–68 °F | 57–80 °F | 34–73 °F | 19–40 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Storrs, 12 mi away, elevation 665 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Belding Wildlife Management Area is a 282-acre state wildlife management area in Vernon, Tolland County, along the Tankerhoosen River. It is closed to hunting and open for walks on marked trails.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Bread and Milk Road, Vernon, CT 06066 (CTvisit) |
| Size | 282 acres (DEEP, as of October 2026) |
| Type | State wildlife management area (DEEP) |
| Entry Fee | No entrance fee is listed by DEEP (as of October 2026) |
| Hours | Sunrise to sunset on the trail (DEEP trail guide) |
| Hunting | Closed to hunting (DEEP, as of October 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hunting allowed at Belding WMA?
No. DEEP lists Belding WMA as closed to hunting. Hunting is allowed on the neighboring Tankerhoosen WMA under its own rules (as of October 2026).
When can I visit Belding WMA?
DEEP’s Belding trail guide says the trail opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, and asks you to stay on the marked trail.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. DEEP’s rules for Belding WMA say dogs must be on a leash no longer than 7 feet at all times (as of October 2026).
About Belding WMA
DEEP describes Belding WMA as a 282-acre parcel in Vernon donated to the State of Connecticut by Maxwell Belding. A 1981 memorandum of understanding makes DEEP the steward of the land, and a charitable support trust set up in 2002 funds its management. The section of the Tankerhoosen River within the area is a Class 1 Wild Trout Management Area with wild brown and brook trout.
DEEP’s hydrography data show Railroad Brook, Rickenback Brook, Tankerhoosen River, Belding Pond, and Belding Pond No 2 on or along the property. The 2021 National Land Cover Database (NLCD) maps the area as 70 percent forest, 12 percent wetland, and 3 percent pasture and cropland.
Things to Do
DEEP’s trail guide names fishing, bird watching and hiking as popular here and counts more than 100 bird species seen on the area. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association maintains the Shenipsit Trail and the Belding Path as blue-blazed hiking trails; inside the DEEP boundary they run for about 1.6 and 0.4 miles. DEEP offers seasonal walks; for programs, write to [email protected].
Rules on the Property
DEEP’s rules for Belding WMA: dogs on a leash no longer than 7 feet, carry out what you carry in, no motorized vehicles, bikes or horses, no fires or camping, no collecting of plants or wildlife and no feeding of wildlife. Watch for poison ivy along the trails and check yourself for ticks (as of October 2026).
Nearby Attractions
Hop River State Park Trail, a 121-acre state park trail, borders the area to the southeast. Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area, a 498-acre wildlife management area, borders the area to the northeast. Bolton Notch State Park, a 103-acre state park, is about 2 miles south. Nye-Holman State Forest, a 925-acre state forest, is about 3 miles northeast. Distances are straight-line between the DEEP property boundaries; acreages are DEEP’s mapped figures.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Belding Wildlife Management Area
Park policy: This is a state wildlife management area, not a state park, so Connecticut's state park pet rules do not apply here. Connecticut's rules for state wildlife management areas (RCSA § 26-16-3a) require dogs to be on a leash no longer than 7 feet, held at all times by the person responsible, and under control (as of October 2026).
- Pets allowed?
- Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that the person responsible holds at all times
- Park-specific rules
- Dogs that are hunting or being trained for hunting are exempt from the leash rule. DEEP can close any area or time period to all dogs by posting signs.
Are dogs allowed at Belding Wildlife Management Area?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that the person responsible holds at all times.
More: Connecticut state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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