Trails to Two Towers
Visit the towers at Camp Columbia and Mount Tom State Parks
Information on the history of Camp Columbia is HERE and HERE.
Information on the history of Mount Tom is HERE and HERE (note that the CT DEEP link says the tower is closed for repairs as of May 2020, but we found it open in August 2020 and reports from fall 2020 are that it remains open)
Camp Columbia State Park
The trail to the tower is short and mostly flat
The trail passes some old camp structures, including this "Instrument House"
Climbing the stairs to the tower
Mount Tom State Park
How long is the walk?
Camp Columbia is less than one mile from the parking lot to the tower and back. There are additional trails if you want to explore further. The trail to the tower is flat and easy.
Mount Tom is a 1.3 mile loop. It is steadily up hill until you get to the tower, and then back down!
Some notes from my family's experience:
This was a fun, double tower adventure day! Both trails and climbing the steps and ladders in both towers were easily within the abilities of my 6 and 9 year old. The steps around the outside of the Camp Columbia Tower were especially fun!
The trail to the Camp Columbia Tower is easy to follow and you probably will not need a map. There are several possible routes to the Mt Tom tower. A recommended route is HERE.
More information:
Mt Tom address: Mt Tom Road, Washington Depot, CT (there is also a Mt Tom in MA, be sure you are looking at the one in CT!)
Camp Columbia address: West Street, Morris, CT (Our GPS took us to an unmarked road intersection. The park was actually about .5 mile further on the left - it has a brown wooden State Parks shield-style sign hanging at the parking lot entrance that you can look for.)
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Email: rholcombe@commongroundct.org
Website: commongroundct.org
Location: 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven, CT, United States
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