Photo via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Parking & Access: Durham Meadows Wildlife Management Area
Main lot off Parmelee Hill Road by the gate. Limited parking along Route 68 and Route 147; some visitors park near the Durham Fairgrounds.
Hunting on this area
| Deer | Archery only |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Spring and fall: archery, firearms |
| Small game | Open |
| Waterfowl | Open |
| Pheasants stocked | Yes |
Zones within 500-foot boundaries marked on the DEEP map are closed to firearms hunting.
Pheasants are stocked in the fields off Parmelee Hill Road.
Fluorescent orange is required for most hunting, and CT DEEP recommends an orange vest or hat for every visitor to state land during the hunting season. No Sunday hunting on state and public lands.
Sources: CT DEEP Wildlife Division hunting and access data, DEEP hunting area map (PDF, June 2025), 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide (season dates), CT DEEP fall 2026 season notice (verified October 2026). Rules and seasons change — confirm before you go.
🌤 Weather at Durham Meadows Wildlife Management Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–70 °F | 57–84 °F | 32–75 °F | 19–42 °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 Meriden Markham Municipal Airport, 8 mi away, elevation 103 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🦆 Coginchaug River marsh — 515-acre DEEP wildlife management area in Durham and Middlefield with stocked pheasants and trout
Durham Meadows Wildlife Management Area is a property of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) along the Coginchaug River in Durham and Middlefield, in central Connecticut. DEEP’s hunting map describes it as 515 acres of marsh, some old hardwood growth and patches of open water, open to waterfowl, small game, pheasant, turkey and archery deer hunting. The main parking area is off Parmelee Hill Road by the gate, with more parking near the Durham Fairgrounds and limited roadside parking on Routes 68 and 147.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Parking off Parmelee Hill Road by the gate, Durham and Middlefield, Middlesex County, CT |
| Size | 515 acres on DEEP’s hunting map, 563 acres within DEEP’s mapped boundary (as of October 2026) |
| Entry Fee | No entrance fee is listed by DEEP (as of October 2026) |
| Type | State wildlife management area (river marsh and floodplain) |
| Hunting | Waterfowl, small game, pheasant, turkey, archery deer; no firearms deer hunting |
| Fishing | Coginchaug River, stocked with trout |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hunting allowed at Durham Meadows?
Yes. DEEP’s hunting data (as of October 2026) list Durham Meadows for waterfowl, small game, pheasant, turkey in spring and fall (archery and firearms) and archery deer hunting, but not firearms deer hunting. DEEP stocks pheasants in the fields off Parmelee Hill Road. Check licenses and season dates at CT Outdoor Licenses and the DEEP hunting area map before you go.
Can I fish at Durham Meadows?
Yes, with a Connecticut fishing license. The Coginchaug River runs through the wildlife area, and DEEP stocks it with trout in Durham and Middlefield; the latest stocking on record was May 7, 2026.
Where do I park?
DEEP’s map shows the parking area off Parmelee Hill Road by the gate, some parking near the Durham Fairgrounds and limited parking along Route 68 and Route 147.
About Durham Meadows
The Coginchaug River flows through Durham Meadows, joined by Parmalee Brook, Cream Pot Brook, Sawmill Brook and Allyn Brook. DEEP’s natural-community data map alluvial swamp, a type of floodplain forest, along the river across about four fifths of the property. DEEP’s mapped boundary takes in 563 acres in Durham and Middlefield.
Things to Do
Hunting: waterfowl, small game, stocked pheasant, turkey and archery deer in season. Fishing: stocked trout in the Coginchaug River. Birdwatching: ducks on the river and in the marsh, especially during spring and fall migration.
Insider Tips
Parking: use the lot off Parmelee Hill Road and do not block the gate. Hunting seasons: the meadows are busy with pheasant and waterfowl hunters in fall, so consider blaze orange if you walk here then. Wet ground: much of the property is marsh and floodplain, so waterproof boots help.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: trout stocking on the Coginchaug River and ducks on migration. Fall: waterfowl migration and the main hunting seasons, so check current dates with DEEP before you go.
Wildlife & Nature
DEEP’s waterfowl data list Durham Meadows as a breeding and migration area for American black duck, mallard, green-winged teal and wood duck; on the Middlefield side bufflehead also stop over during migration. Along the Coginchaug River, DEEP maps alluvial swamp, a floodplain forest that floods when the river rises, and the hunting map describes the area as marsh with some old hardwood growth and patches of open water.
Nearby Attractions
Cockaponset State Forest lies about a mile from the wildlife area’s boundary. Black Pond Wildlife Management Area is about 5 miles away, and Higganum Reservoir State Park and Wharton Brook State Park are 7 to 8 miles away (straight line). Source: Connecticut DEEP property and hunting-area data, checked October 2026.
More parks nearby: Tri-Mountain State Park and Wadsworth Falls State Park are both a short drive away.
🦆 Visit Durham Meadows WMA
515 acres on the Coginchaug River. Parking off Parmelee Hill Road.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Durham Meadows 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 Durham Meadows 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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