Lake Waramaug State Park
Lake Waramaug State Park is a public state park in Connecticut near New Preston in Litchfield County. Spanning 95 acres and established in 1920, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Connecticut |
| Nearest City | New Preston |
| County | Litchfield |
| Park Size | 95 acres |
| Established | 1920 |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.5/5 (500 reviews) |
Location & Getting There
Lake Waramaug State Park is located near New Preston, Connecticut. The park’s coordinates are 41.7063, -73.3825.
Things to Do
Connecticut’s compact state park system packs diverse experiences into a small state — from Long Island Sound beaches and tidal marshes to Appalachian ridgeline trails, glacial lakes, and cascading waterfalls. Activities include swimming at supervised lake and ocean beaches, hiking along the Blue-Blazed Trail system that connects many state parks, fishing in stocked trout streams and coastal waters, camping in forested settings, biking rail-trails and park roads, nature study at wildlife management areas, rock climbing at Ragged Mountain, kayaking coastal estuaries, and exploring historic sites from Revolutionary War battlefields to industrial-era heritage.
Best Time to Visit
Connecticut parks are at their best from May through October. Summer (June–August) brings peak beach season along Long Island Sound and warm lake swimming inland. Spring delivers azalea and mountain laurel blooms (Connecticut’s state flower), plus rushing waterfalls. Fall foliage in Connecticut peaks mid-to-late October and can be spectacular along ridgeline parks like Sleeping Giant and Talcott Mountain. Winter offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and peaceful forest hiking when trails are less crowded. All Connecticut state parks are free for pedestrians year-round; vehicle parking fees ($10–$22 for non-residents) apply at beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Visitor Tips
Connecticut state parks are free for walk-in visitors year-round. Vehicle parking fees ($10 residents / $15–$22 non-residents) apply at beach parks during summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Inland parks are typically free year-round. Camping is available at select parks — reservations through ReserveAmerica. Connecticut’s compact size means most parks are within a 90-minute drive of any point in the state, making day trips easy. Dogs are allowed on leash but prohibited at swimming areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Connecticut state parks free?
Connecticut state parks are free for walk-in and bicycle visitors year-round. Vehicle parking fees ($10-$22 for non-residents) apply at beach and lake parks during summer. Inland trail parks are typically free.
What are the best state parks in Connecticut?
Top parks include Sleeping Giant (panoramic views), Hammonasset (largest beach park), Talcott Mountain (Heublein Tower), Gillette Castle (riverfront estate), and Kent Falls (tallest waterfall).
Can I see waterfalls at Connecticut state parks?
Yes, Kent Falls State Park features a 250-foot multi-tiered waterfall cascade — the tallest in Connecticut. Other waterfall parks include Wadsworth Falls and Enders State Forest.
When does beach season start at Connecticut state parks?
Beach season at Connecticut coastal parks runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with lifeguards on duty. Parking fees for non-residents apply during this period. Arrive early on summer weekends as lots fill quickly.
Explore More Connecticut State Parks
Lake Waramaug State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Connecticut. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Connecticut guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Lake Waramaug — widely considered one of Connecticut’s most beautiful lakes — is surrounded by hills that produce spectacular fall foliage reflections on the water. The lake supports cold-water fish including rainbow trout — stocked annually — and warm-water species like bass and panfish. Common loons stop at the lake during spring and fall migration — their haunting, yodeling calls echo across the water at dusk. The lakeshore habitat supports nesting common mergansers — fish-eating ducks with serrated bills designed for gripping slippery prey. The surrounding forest’s sugar maples are tapped each February for maple syrup — Connecticut produces a small but high-quality maple syrup crop. White-tailed deer browse the forest edges at dawn and dusk.
Nearby Attractions
Hopkins Vineyard on Lake Waramaug produces award-winning wines with lake views from the tasting room. New Preston is a tiny village with high-end antique shops and galleries. Washington — one of Connecticut’s most affluent rural towns — features the Institute for American Indian Studies with a reconstructed Algonquian village. Steep Rock Preserve in Washington offers dramatic Shepaug River gorge hiking. Bull’s Bridge in Kent — one of two remaining covered bridges in Connecticut — is a short drive north. Gunn Memorial Library & Museum in Washington features regional history collections.
Park Location
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