Parking & Access: Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area
From Route 202 drive through the office park; the access road is on the right after the Farmington Canal Trail crossing.
Hunting on this area
| Deer | Closed |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Closed |
| Small game | Open |
| Waterfowl | Open |
| Pheasants stocked | No |
Zones within 500-foot boundaries marked on the DEEP map are closed to firearms hunting.
A state Field Trial and Dog Training Area: closed to hunting during scheduled field trials.
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, September 2023), 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 Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26–70 °F | 57–84 °F | 32–75 °F | 17–41 °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 Burlington, 6 mi away, elevation 505 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area is a 125-acre state wildlife management area on the Farmington River in Avon and Simsbury, Hartford County, managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Simsbury, CT 06089 (DEEP hunting area map, U.S. Census) |
| Size | 125 acres (DEEP hunting area map, as of October 2026) |
| Type | State wildlife management area (DEEP) |
| Entry Fee | No entrance fee is listed by DEEP (as of October 2026) |
| Hours | Half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; hunting and fishing are allowed outside these hours (RCSA § 26-16-3a) |
| Hunting | State hunting area, small game and waterfowl only (DEEP, as of October 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hunting allowed at Nod Brook WMA?
Yes. DEEP’s hunting-area data (as of October 2026) list 125 acres of Nod Brook WMA as a state hunting area. It is open for small game and waterfowl hunting, but closed to turkey and deer hunting. It is a state dog training and field trial area and closes to hunting during scheduled field trials (DEEP field trial dates). Check the DEEP hunting area map and the current Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for season dates before you go.
Where do I park for Nod Brook WMA?
From Route 202 drive through the office park; the access road is on the right after the Farmington Canal Trail crossing. (DEEP hunting area map, as of October 2026)
When can I visit Nod Brook WMA?
Connecticut’s rules for state wildlife management areas close them from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise, except for hunting, fishing and other activities DEEP authorizes (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026).
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that you hold at all times, and under control. Dogs that are hunting or being trained for hunting are exempt from the leash rule, and DEEP can close an area to dogs by posting signs (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026).
About Nod Brook WMA
DEEP’s mapped property boundary crosses the town line between Avon and Simsbury.
DEEP’s hydrography data show Farmington River, Nod Brook, Twin Lakes North, and Twin Lakes South on or along the property. The 2021 National Land Cover Database (NLCD) maps the area as 16 percent forest, 27 percent wetland, 20 percent open water, and 34 percent pasture and cropland.
Things to Do
Hunters can use the area for small game and waterfowl hunting under DEEP’s rules for this area.
Rules on the Property
Connecticut’s regulation for state wildlife management areas (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026) sets the ground rules here: no motor vehicles, no camping, horses only where not posted against them, bicycles not on posted trails, roads or areas, target shooting only where DEEP designates it, and dogs on a leash of no more than 7 feet unless they are hunting or in hunting training.
Nearby Attractions
Talcott Mountain State Park, a 552-acre state park, is less than a mile northeast. Simsbury Wildlife Management Area, a 317-acre wildlife management area, is about 1 mile north. Penwood State Park, an 801-acre state park, is about 2 miles northeast. Stratton Brook State Park, a 189-acre state park, is about 2 miles north. Distances are straight-line between the DEEP property boundaries; acreages are DEEP figures.
🦆 Visit Nod Brook WMA
125 acres in Avon and Simsbury. Open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Nod Brook 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 Nod Brook 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
Plan your gear for Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
