Tunxis State Forest
Connecticut

Tunxis State Forest

Available Activities
  • Hiking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Hunting

๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ† CT’s Largest State Forest โ€” 14,000+ acres spanning 6 towns โ€” Connecticut’s largest state forest with Blue-Blazed trails

Tunxis State Forest is Connecticut’s largest state forest โ€” over 14,000 acres spanning six towns in the western highlands. The forest is traversed by the Tunxis Trail, part of Connecticut’s famous Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail system. The dramatic Indian Council Caves and the panoramic views from Bald Mountain are highlights. Named for the Tunxis tribe of the Algonquin nation, the forest includes some of the most remote and wild terrain in the state โ€” a remarkable achievement in the nation’s third-smallest and fourth-most-densely-populated state.

Visitor Information

DetailInformation
Location6 towns in western CT
Size14,000+ acres โ€” CT’S LARGEST!
Entry FeeFree
TrailTunxis Blue-Blazed Trail
HighlightsIndian Council Caves, Bald Mountain

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Indian Council Caves?

A dramatic series of rock overhangs and shallow caves formed by glacial activity and erosion in the volcanic traprock ridge. These sheltered spots were used by the Tunxis people for thousands of years.

About Tunxis State Forest

Tunxis State Forest covers over 7,000 acres across multiple parcels in the western Connecticut highlands โ€” one of the state’s largest forests. Named for the Tunxis people, the forest straddles the scenic Litchfield Hills with dramatic terrain including Pine Mountain (1,391 feet). The Tunxis Trail โ€” a long-distance hiking trail โ€” traverses the forest from south to north.

Things to Do

Hiking the Tunxis Trail (long-distance blue-blazed trail), mountain biking, hunting (deer, turkey, bear), horseback riding, fishing in forest streams, and cross-country skiing. The forest’s size offers genuine backcountry experiences.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Visit Tunxis State Forest

CT’s largest โ€” 14,000 acres, Indian Council Caves, Blue-Blazed paradise.

๐Ÿ“ CT DEEP

Sarah Mitchell

About the Author

Outdoor Editor & Trail Expert

Sarah Mitchell is an outdoor writer and trail researcher with over 8 years of experience exploring state parks across America. As the lead editor at AmericasStateParks.org, she has personally visited more than 200 parks in 42 states, logging thousands of trail miles and hundreds of campground nights. Sarah specializes in detailed park guides, accessibility information, and family-friendly outdoor planning. Her work focuses on helping first-time visitors feel confident and well-prepared for their state park adventures.

200+ state parks visited across 42 states | 8+ years of outdoor writing

Last updated: May 9, 2026

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