American Legion State Forest
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 30 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- ctparks.com(860) 379-2469
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
American Legion State Forest is a forest in Northwest Hills Planning Region County, about 9 miles northeast of Torrington.
Visitors come for historic sites, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and hiking. For overnight stays there are 30 campsites (RV sites and tent sites). There are also cabins for rent.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Open Daily (8:00 a.m. – Sunset)
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
Official wording
Free Campsite fees charged separately.
Connecticut park passes
- Passport to the Parks — free parking for CT-registered vehicles (funded by an $8/yr vehicle registration fee from July 1, 2025). Day-use parking at all CT State Parks and Forests Details
- Out-of-state vehicle season pass — $112. Season parking for out-of-state vehicles (as listed on park fee boxes) Details
From the Connecticut state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 RV/Tent Sites Daily Rate:
• $17 resident/$27 non-resident plus processing fee
• Wooded sites with picnic table, fire ring, and grate
• Two accessible campsites available by reservation
• Six-person maximum per site
• Maximum stay: 14 days | 30 | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
The Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground offers 30 spacious campsites and six rustic cabins are located amongst pine woods alongside the scenic Farmington River. The camping season begins in mid-April and ends on Columbus Day, with rustic camping permitted during the off-season. Youth group camping is available to qualifying youth organizations.
The Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground
2026 Season: Opens Friday, April 10 and closes Monday, October 12 at noon.
2027 Season: Opens Friday, April 9 and closes Monday, October 11 at noon.
Campground Office: (860) 379-0922; Closes at 5:30 p.m. daily. Closed Columbus Day to opening day of camping season.
Campground Map
Know Before You Go
- Camping in Connecticut State Parks & Forests
30 RV/Tent Sites
Daily Rate:
- $17 resident/$27 non-resident plus processing fee
- Wooded sites with picnic table, fire ring, and grate
- Two accessible campsites available by reservation
- Six-person maximum per site
- Maximum stay: 14 days
6 Rustic Cabins
- $50 resident/$60 non-resident – plus processing fee, 15% occupancy tax, and refundable $50 security deposit
- Two-room cabins with double bed and two bunk beds
- Comfortably sleeps four people with space up to six
- Cabin renters must be on-site to check in by 5:30pm.
- Minimum rental: two nights.
- Processing Fee: $9 for reservations or $3 for walk-ins.
Amenities
- Bathhouses with hot showers, dishwashing, and potable water
- Firewood and ice available on-site
- Sports fields
- Dumping station
- One pet/site permitted
- Portable toilets available
- *Early season is designated as rustic camping only - no bathrooms, showers or running water
Reserve a Campsite
- Online: Visit Reserve America
- By phone: 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
Youth Group Camping
- 3 sites available, Sites 1 and 3 accommodate up to 35 campers, Site 2 accommodates up to 50 campers
- Open to qualified youth groups only
- Advance reservations are required
- Youth Group Camping
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- 6 Rustic Cabins: 6 unitsDaily Rate: • $50 resident/$60 non-resident – plus processing fee, 15% occupancy tax, and refundable $50 security deposit • Two-room cabins with double bed and two bunk beds • Comfortably sleeps four people with space up to six • Cabin renters must be on-site to check in by 5:30pm. • Minimum rental: two nights. • Processing Fee: $9 for reservations or $3 for walk-ins.
Things to do
BoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoric sites and toursHunting
Trails
American Legion State Forest’s rugged and scenic beauty, wildlife viewing, and miles of trails make it a popular hiking destination.
Henry Buck Trail (Blue Blaze)
- 2.1-mile loop
- Level of difficulty: Strenuous
The park’s signature trail and one of our letterbox sites, this blue blazed trail winds through rugged forest, historic mill sites, and towering hemlock and white pine trees before climbing to a scenic overlook of the Farmington River. With steep, rocky inclines and rugged terrain, this challenging hike is ideal for those looking for a good workout and even better views. Find the trailhead on West River Road, near the stone abutments for an old bridge.
Turkey Vultures Ledges Trail (Blue Blaze) via Legion Road
- 0.8-mile out-and-back trail
- Level of difficulty: Easy
This short hike leads to a ridge offering stunning views of the Farmington River, People’s State Forest, and nearby Ski Sundown (look to your right). Find the trailhead 1.5 miles up Legion Road (gated during winter) during warmer months. In the winter, start at the base of Legion Road, adding three miles to your climb.
Know Before You Go
- Interested in Letterboxing? Get clues for the Henry Buck Trail.
Boating and paddling
Designated as a Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service, the West Branch of the Farmington River is a world-class destination for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. Depending on water flow, head to the river for anything from a relaxing float to cool down on a hot summer afternoon to a whitewater ride to get your adrenaline pumping. Use caution and check water levels before heading out.
Know Before You Go
- Paddling Safety
- Paddling in Connecticut
- Farmington River Watershed Association River Map
Fishing
Anglers from New England and beyond flock to these waters all year round. Thanks to the West Branch Reservoir’s very cold bottom releases, the cool waters of the West Branch of the Farmington River are ideal for fishing—especially trout fishing. It’s not unusual to see trophy trout measuring about 20 inches!
Types of fish: Trout bass, pickerel, pike
Know Before You Go
Before heading out, be sure to check the latest river conditions and fishing regulations.
- Farmington River Steward
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Nature center or museum
- Restrooms: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Parking
Restrooms
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
- Buses seating 30 or more passengers are not allowed at this park
- Trail Map
Getting there
- Address
- Off Rte. 20 or Rte. 318
Barkhamsted, CT 06063 - Nearest town
- Torrington — about 9 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.9362, -73.0104
- Phone
- (860) 379-2469
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Connecticut State Parks and Forests — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- DEEP 'Find a Park or Forest by Name' list (portal.ct.gov) merged with the ctparks.com ParkFinder search service
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology