Image: Machimoodus Pond by Kenneth Selling

 

Each year, a massive statewide event — Connecticut Trails Day — offers over 200+ hikes and other outings in 100+ towns and communities around Connecticut.  This FREE event is open to everyone, and is held in conjunction with National Trails Day over the weekend of June 6 - 7, 2026.  Hikes, bike trips, family outings, nature walks, wheel-chair accessible events, and much more across the entire state welcome everyone to get outside.  These outings are led by a broad range of Connecticut outdoor and environmental organizations, including proudly by the Sierra Club.

 

This year, one Sierra Club offering will explore both Machimoodus State Park, and one of Connecticut’s newest, Sunrise State Park, in East Haddam.  Home to the fabled "Moodus Noises," this hike will pass a scenic lake and high views of a river cove.  Learn about the actual cause of the "noises," long part of the Native American lore of the area, while strolling through forest and along the Salmon River.  (See further below for a second Sierra "Waterfall" hike.) 

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Image: Sunrise Trail  from Kenneth Selling

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Image: Wadsworth Falls from Kenneth Selling

 

This 3.5 mile hike at a moderate pace starts in the afternoon of Saturday, June 6, at 1:15 p.m. for those with morning plans, and will be family friendly.  Point your GPS to "Machimoodus State Park Entrance," and follow the driveway into the Park.  We will meet at the Trail Map Kiosk at the end of the parking lot.  Or, use GPS coordinates of the lot, at:  41°30'08.5"N 72°28'38.3"W.

 

This event will be led by Connecticut Sierrans, Kenneth Selling and Ruth Clancy.  No pre-registration is required.  Bring water and sturdy footwear.

 

This full weekend is coordinated by the CT Forest and Park Association, which brings together over 100 different organizations for a very wide range of offerings for: complete beginners, the timid, moderately active, fit & experienced hikers, and for people of all ages.  Connecticut enjoys the reputation of having the best organized and most plentiful offerings in the whole nation for National Trails Day.  Explore photos of past outings!

 

Look for more details / directions on the Machimoodus hike in East Haddam.

 

Also at Connecticut Trails Day:

• Join Connecticut’s own National Sierra Club Outings leader, Erhard Konerding, earlier that same day at 9:30 a.m. for a delightful three mile hike past two waterfalls through Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown.  Get more details on the Two Waterfalls hike.

• At 9 am, Sierra Club Connecticut’s Outdoors Group is hosting a 7 mile hike Seven Falls, Bear Hill and Mattabessett Trail.

• A paddle on the Salmon River is being offered by Sierra Club Connecticut’s Outdoors Group on Sunday at 10:30 am.

 

Get a full selection of the many other hikes in towns all across the state for CT Trails Day, June 6 - 7.

 

Kenneth Selling is a Sierra Club Outings Leader and Conservation Activist.