Our Preserves

Steep Rock Association’s 4 unique preserves offer some of the most beautiful hikes in Northwest Connecticut. Spanning over 47 miles, our trails offer everything from a leisurely stroll along the Shepaug River to more rigorous hikes leading to spectacular views. Trail maps are located in the kiosks at the entrances to each preserve and highlight the distance of each blazed trail.

Hidden Valley

Northeast of Washington Depot is Hidden Valley, 940 acres of mixed forest and meadows crisscrossed by nearly 20 miles of trails that offer a variety of terrain for hiking.

Steep Rock

The 998-acre Steep Rock Preserve offers hiking trails which follow the river banks and provide access into the hillsides above.

Macricostas

The unspoiled land – a mix of meadow, farmland, wooded ridge and wetlands — sits just north of Route 202, opposite the junction of Route 47, and makes a magnificent natural gateway to the town.

West Mountain

West Mountain Preserve, located in the southeast corner of Washington, comprises two distinct properties: Johnson Farm and Hillside Farm.

Judea Garden at Macricostas Preserve

Judea Garden began in spring 2009. Where the community comes together to provide fresh produce for members of our community with limited financial resources.

Latest News

6,000 Steep Rock recently reached an amazing milestone thanks to you, our supporters, donors, and everyone passionate about land conservation. With the donation of 5 acres of mixed forest on Fenn Hill Road, we surpassed 6,000 acres of conserved lands...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]While Steep Rock invests considerable resources to ensure our trails are in excellent condition, we will never control the weather. On a beautiful but very windy recent Saturday, a visitor reported that...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Partnering with Vets Healing on the Fly and the Washington Rod and Gun Club (WRGC), SRA was honored to welcome seven veterans to the Shepaug River for a beautiful day of fishing and...