Top rated State parks in Madison, United States to elevate your visit (Updated March, 2024)

Chatfield Hollow State Park

State park

Natural area with pine woods, streams, caves & rocky ledges, offering hiking, swimming & fishing.

4.80 (783 reviews) (~9.67 km from centre)

Gillette Castle State Park

State park

This stone mansion with unique decor & a medieval-style facade belonged to actor William Gillette.

4.70 (3.5K reviews) (~21.35 km from centre)

Sleeping Giant State Park

State park

State park with hiking trails up a ridge whose uneven profile is thought to evoke a sleeping giant.

4.70 (1.7K reviews) (~29.64 km from centre)

Bluff Point State Park

State park

Peninsula offers over 800 acres of hiking & biking, plus fishing & wildlife on Long Island Sound.

4.70 (1.6K reviews) (~47.61 km from centre)

Devil's Hopyard State Park

State park

860 acres of rocky forest, crisscrossed by hiking trails & highlighted by 60-ft.-high Chapman Falls.

4.70 (1.6K reviews) (~30.88 km from centre)

Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park

State park

4.70 (1.3K reviews) (~17.99 km from centre)

Orient Beach State Park

State park

Maritime forest, bay beachfront & a saltwater marsh plus kayaking, windsurfing, fishing & swimming.

4.70 (881 reviews) (~32.31 km from centre)

Salmon River State Forest

State park

Sprawling destination for outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, field sports & hunting.

4.70 (637 reviews) (~37.15 km from centre)

Haley Farm State Park

State park

Protected open space offering hiking & biking paths & a historic series of hand-built stone walls.

4.70 (298 reviews) (~49.8 km from centre)

Ferry Landing State Park

State park

👍👍 I never remember how to get here or what it's called and it's a small spot, but it sure is beautiful! Any time of year, any time of day, gorgeous! The boardwalk is cool, I've seen Osprey nest on the train bridge in previous years and a lot of other birds around. I know people can fish off the boardw...

4.70 (269 reviews) (~21.33 km from centre)

Pattaconk Recreation Area (Cockaponset State Forest)

State park

👍👍 Easy. Nice well marked hike. Some cool water features. 12 year old and 60 year old navigated very well.

4.70 (147 reviews) (~15.72 km from centre)

Hallock State Park Preserve

State park

👍👍 Hallock State Park Preserve was a nice hike. Normally there is an $8 parking fee but it is waived during the winter season. There are two parking lots - one at the entrance where the payment kiosk is and one at the trailheads. There were four trails and we initially hiked the Maritime Forest Trail...

4.70 (80 reviews) (~32.92 km from centre)

Haddam Island State Park

State park

👍 Haddam Island State Parks a typical island within the CT River. It catches a lot of debris during the spring floods. Although camping is permitted by permit only. The island is usually closed in spring so humans do not disturb the nesting eagles. Once the baby eagles depart the DEP opens the park...

4.70 (31 reviews) (~24.57 km from centre)