Hurd State Park
Hurd State Park in East Hampton is one of the oldest state parks in Connecticut.
Connecticut State Park
Hurd Park is a public recreation area lying adjacent to George Dudley Seymour State Park on the east bank of the Connecticut River in the town of East Hampton, Connecticut. In addition to offering hiking, picnicking, and mountain biking, it is one of four Connecticut State Parks that offer primitive camping for boaters on the Connecticut River.
This park is a designated “walk-in” facility. Parking is available at the main gate and near the gate at the intersection of Route 151 and Hurd Park Road. Other Amenities: Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Picnic Shelters, Hiking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails
A Brief History of Hurd State Park
This Historic Park is one of the oldest in Connecticut. The first parcel was acquired in 1914, shortly after the establishment of a State Park Commission. The state purchased 150 acres from Russell Dart as part of an initiative to obtain land for public use along the Connecticut River. Dart also donated Dart Island State Park. Sherwood Island State Park in Westport and Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield were also created about this time and are the oldest state parks Connecticut.
The park is named after the Hurd family, whose first member, John Hurd, settled in Eastham, after journeying across the Atlantic from the Highlands of Scotland in 1685. John later moved to the Middle Haddam section of East Hampton.
Camping at Hurd Park
Dates of Operationfor Camping : May-Sept.
Three boat camping areas along the Connecticut River at Hurd, Gillette Castle and Selden Neck State Parks are managed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for your enjoyment. The campsites are available from May 1 through September 30 exclusively for overnight stops by those traveling on the river. Campground: reservations are needed at least two weeks before intended stay, and is limited to one night. Park Campground is acessible only by canoe offering primitive riverside sites with fireplaces, pit toilets.
Activities Include: birding, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, camping and hiking.
East Hampton Activities
Historic East Hampton Landmarks and Activities
Useful Links



Visit our Blog
The CHS Blog features Present Day News, History, and East Hampton Events
CT River Kayak
Sunday September 18th 2022The Chatham Historical Society and East Hampton Parks and Rec are sponsoring a leisurely kayak paddle from Hamburg Cove in Hamburg,Connecticut to the Baldwin Bridge in Old Lyme, on Saturday, September 18. Paddlers can meet at the parking lot...
Hurd State Park Walk
Hurd State Park WalkThe Chatham Historical Society (CHS) is organizing a hike at Hurd State Park on Sunday, July 11th at 10 am as part of its “Explore East Hampton” monthly series of walks. Come for a hike and learn history of Hurd State Park. The walk is sponsored by...
2020 Antique Appraisal Day
Antique Appraisal Day 2021 Saturday, March 20th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chatham Historical Society will host its 25th annual Antique Appraisal Day at the East Hampton Town Hall, 1 Community Drive Dr. Verbal Evaluations The Chatham Historical Society only provides...
Welcome to the Official East Hampton, CT Historical Society Website. This site intends to provide information to the public about the Chatham Historical Society’s upcoming Calendar Events and Programs with the purpose of bringing together people interested in the History of Cobalt, Middle Haddam, and East Hampton, CT
Follow us on Social Media