Pride Hike at James L. Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, CT
David Ostafin
Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for a two and a half hour, 4.6 miles MODERATE hike at the James L Goodwin State Forest, located at 23 Potter Road, Hampton, Connecticut. The hike is to be followed by a picnic. This state forest is one of Connecticut’s hidden gems, as it features picturesque water views along Pine Acres Pond and a trek to an island in the pond. Meet at 10:30 a.m. in the Potter Road parking lot for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m. The rain date is the following day, Sunday, June 14, 2026.
ABOUT HE HIKE: We will hike a loop counterclockwise around Pine Acres Pond, starting at the Potter Road parking lot, by first accessing the Pine Acres Pond Trail, a blue/white blazed trail which is flat, but a bit rocky. This first leg of the loop features picturesque water views of Pine Acres Pond. We will stop at the elevated Frank Zumpano Memorial Bench area for stunning views of the pond, and a group photo opportunity. We will then continue on the blue/white blazed trail to a cutoff to Governor’s Island, an island in the middle of a wetland area of the pond, via a red-blazed trail. Here we will have our mid-hike break and snack, plus take the opportunity for more group photos. We then return back on the red-blazed trail to the blue/white blazed trail, and follow this trail to its intersection with Eastbrook Road, which we will take to shorten the hike and cross over to the Air Line Trail. The Air Line Trail, which we will utilize for our return to the parking area, is a flat and straight bike path. This return leg of the loop is, therefore, the easier part of the hike. We will follow the Air Line Trail to Potter Road and then walk on Potter Road to return to the parking area. The hike is deemed MODERATE because, although mostly flat, the trail along the pond is rocky and the total distance traveled (despite the short cut to the Air Line Trail and the easy terrain of this bike path) is 4.6 miles.
ABOUT THE PARK: The James L. Goodwin State Forest is a 2,000-acre property located in the towns of Chaplin and Hampton, Connecticut. It features 17+ miles of a well-marked trail system, including a section of the Air Line Trail, a former railroad bed stretching 50 miles from Thompson to Portland for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The state forest offers visitors a variety of ecosystems (forest, wetlands, meadows), as well as a pond for recreational boating and fishing. The forest was created from a donation to the State of Connecticut by noted conservationist James L. Goodwin in 1964, who developed the land according to the best forestry principles. Goodwin was an early graduate of the Yale Forestry program, and became Connecticut’s first Secretary of Forest and Park Commission. He donated over 1,700 acres to the State for environmental conservation as well as for public recreation and education (educational trail signs detailing forest ecosystems and wildlife are scattered across the hiking trails).
NOTE: As always, dress appropriately for the season, including adequate footwear for possible muddy conditions. You should consider bringing water for hydration on the hike, a walking stick for balance, and bug spray. You can leave your picnic lunch in your vehicle during the hike, but bring along a small snack (trail mix, fruit, granola bar, etc.) for our mid-hike break on Governor’s Island. Read our Disclaimer (the group disclaims any liability; each participant is responsible for him/self). Dogs are welcome on the hike, and in all areas of the forest. Waterless bathroom facilities are available in the Potter Road parking area.
DIRECTIONS: Set your GPS for “23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT.” Potter Road is accessible from Route 6. From the intersection of Routes 6 and 198 in Chaplin, travel East 3.1 miles on Route 6 and take a left onto Potter Road. From the Intersection of Routes 6 and 97 in Hampton, travel West 1.4 miles on Route 6 and take a right onto Potter Road.
AFTER HIKE SOCIAL. The plan is to end the hike with a picnic in a designated picnicking area in the James L. Goodwin State Forest. The picnicking area is close to the Potter Road parking lot, and therefore hikers can leave their lunches in their vehicles during the hike, for later retrieval for the after-hike picnic. Following the picnic, there will be ample time for a visit to Hartford for Capital City Pride!
Giovani Querido and David Ostafin
