North Haven parks and trails guide: Peter’s Rock, Hansen Park, Todd’s Pond and more

North Haven has nearly 200 acres of town parks and open space, according to the town, with 18 ball fields, 15 tennis and basketball courts, seven playgrounds and eight passive or natural areas. Add a state park along the Quinnipiac and the Land Trust’s preserves, and there’s a lot to explore.

Here’s your guide.

Best hikes

Peter’s Rock Park (trailheads on Middletown Avenue/Route 17 and Hermitage Lane). North Haven’s highest point, at 373 feet, and its largest open space: about 220 acres with roughly five miles of trails. Most of the network is gentle loops; the steep red trail climbs to a summit with views toward Sleeping Giant and New Haven Harbor. Easy to difficult.

Hansen Park (52 Patten Road). A roughly 94-acre park built around a dramatic traprock ridge above the Muddy River. Flat red and yellow trails loop the base, and the blue trail climbs the narrow ridge. There’s a pond and an open meadow, too. Easy to moderate.

Quinnipiac River State Park (Banton Street trailhead, off State Street). More than 300 acres of floodplain forest. The gentle Banton Trail follows the river’s west bank and is maintained in this section by the North Haven Trail Association. It can be muddy after rain.

Brick Yard Point (on the Quinnipiac River). A 57-acre tract of restored habitat with self-guided interpretive trails through tidal marsh, estuary and freshwater wetland.

Land Trust open space

The North Haven Land Trust, a nonprofit, protects more than 130 acres of open space in town, including its property at 430 Clintonville Road. The group relies on donations and volunteers. Learn more at northhavenlandtrust.org.

Parks for play

• Montowese Park (Quinnipiac Avenue): ball fields, basketball, tennis, playground, picnic area and roller/ice skating.
• Canna Park (Carina Road/South Avenue): basketball, pickleball, tennis, playground and picnic area.
• John Grover Wyman Park (Blakeslee Avenue): baseball/softball, playscape and picnic area.
• Gateway/Aces (Bassett Road): baseball/softball, playground and picnic area.
• Forest Grove Park (Allen Road): playground.
• The Pitch Pines Park (Washington Avenue): tennis and picnic area.

Quiet spots

• Todd’s Pond (Maple Avenue): picnic area and pond views.
• Chapman-Sinoway (Upper State Street): fishing, walking trails and picnic area.
• Pierpont Park/Town Green (Church Street): home to summer concerts and the post-Memorial Day Parade “Kidfest.”

Just over the line

Wharton Brook State Park, at 640 Washington Ave. (Route 5) near the Wallingford line, offers fishing, picnicking and seasonal swimming. Sleeping Giant, East Rock and West Rock are all within about 20 minutes.

Good to know

Trails are generally open dawn to dusk. Connecticut state parks are free to enter, with parking included for Connecticut-registered vehicles. For field permits and reservations, call the Recreation Department at (203) 239-5321, ext. 8530.

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Photos courtesy of the Town of North Haven and the North Haven Land Trust