The 700-acre Hidden Valley Preserve is mixed forest and meadows with wooded hillsides cascading into the River Valley below .
Macricostas Preserve is 400-acres offering an array of landscapes, as meadows and farm fields blend with wooded ridges and wetlands.
The 998-acre Steep Rock preserve offers hiking trails which follow the river banks and provide access into great hiking trails.
Our goal was to provide fresh produce for members of our community with limited financial resources.
We offer many trails designated for Hiking & Riding for adventurers of all skillsets.
Campers are surrounded by nature offering tent camping at 3 different sites.
Looking to sit back and cast a line? Steep Rock offers fishing at many locations.
Organized group events of 25 or more people, bring family and friends and enjoy the day.
Join us as we work to keep Steep Rock a treasure for generations to come...
We offer many programs and events such as morning yoga and hayrides at Macricostas...
Are you ready for a NEW hiking challenge. Well you've come to the right place...
Macricostas Preserve has a StoryWalk! This community collaboration between Steep Rock Association, Gunn Memorial Library, and Washington Supply offers a fun and educational outdoor activity for families. Pages from nature-focused children books are posted on display boards along a short, designated trail. Books are changed seasonally so be sure to visit each new season. Fall 2018 Book …
Did you know that our public lands, which provide places for recreation, water quality protection, homes for wildlife, can be – and have been – give(n) away or sold without public comment? On Tuesday, November 6th, citizens of Connecticut can vote “YES” on the statewide ballot to protect public lands. It’s true that our preserves …
Steep Rock Association’s first ever Van Sinderen Intern, Karlie, shares her experiences at Steep Rock Association this summer: Starting off the Van Sinderen Conservationist Internship with a nest check of a kestrel box containing five screeching kestrel nestlings was an awesome experience. The siblings were all at different stages of development, and the youngest was …
Wildlife baby season: if you care, leave them there “Hello Steep Rock? My cat brought a baby bunny into the house. It doesn’t look injured, but what should I do with it? I think it’s too young to be away from its mother.” Calls of concern similar to these are happening all across the state …
Wildlife baby season: if you care, leave them there Read More »
Bushwhacking 101: Nature Preserve Monitoring Have you ever seen those yellow “Steep Rock Nature Preserve” property signs dotting the roads of Washington? Behind those signs is a collective 2,500 acres of pristine wilderness, scattered over 30 individual preserves. Some of that acreage is old growth hemlock forest while other parts are wetlands brimming with biodiversity …
One of our Citizen Science volunteers decided to take her efforts one step further and found a unique way to support our conservation efforts. Kathy Coe, a longtime resident of Washington and SRA supporter, decided to use her creativity as a way to benefit our conservation mission. Kathy created an adorable colony of felted New …
With each donation you give, you help ensure the lands you love are well cared for and maintained as wildlife habitats, hiking trails, and places to enjoy with family and friends. But our work, as well as the work of all nonprofit organizations, may be devastated by the federal tax reform bill. What’s important to …
Nature provides us with the opportunity to rejuvenate and explore. We asked visitors to share memorable experiences they have had in our preserves. Please enjoy reading about these priceless moments, and be inspired to create your own. “Today was my first day hiking the trail to the lookout, a gorgeous day with old friends.” – …
Where might the senior community go when looking for a place to explore the outdoors with friends and neighbors? They go to Steep Rock Preserve, of course. On Tuesday, August 29th 2017, Steep Rock Association (SRA) held a Senior Community Outing. Almost 40 seniors attended the event from the towns of Washington, Bridgewater, Watertown, as …
Eliot Johnson is a part-time farmer and the owner of West Mountain Builders. Eliot lives, farms, and does business on property that once housed his grandfather’s dairy farm – which began in 1941. A spirit of service endures via Eliot’s contribution to the volunteer Board of the Washington Art Association; he also previously served as …
Steep Rock Association is a land trust whose mission is to conserve ecologically and historically significant landscapes in and around Washington, CT and the Shepaug River Valley and to enhance the community’s connection with nature.
(860) 868-9131 | info@steeprockassoc.org
PO. Box 279
Washington Depot, Connecticut 06794
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 2pm