Scenic Drive: Mohawk State Forest - Goshen, Connecticut

 

If you travel with kids, you know this familiar scenario: a young kid asleep in the car and a proper nap is crucial. You want to hike but you aren't ready to wake him/her up to be stuffed in a pack and toted up a mountain. 

Que the scenic drive! You want something easy, something scenic, something you can drive around slowly enjoying the sights. You've already perfected the *quiet closing of the car doors* so you are good with a slow drive and a few quick stops. 

Maybe you don't have the kids but you are looking for a way to enjoy the fall foliage with non-hikers. You need an option for a super quick walk/hike to a viewpoint or park the car for a vista, and a picnic. You also don't want to pay $30 because it's a toll road. If you want to climb a Connecticut mountain without ever leaving your car, Mohawk Mountain in Mohawk State Forest in Goshen, Connecticut is exactly what you are looking for.

First Impressions

Paved road (about 2.7-miles) to the top of the mountain. Very scenic as you follow the winding road up the mountain. There are small pull-off areas with picnic tables and trails if you would like to hike. Cunningham Tower is a very short walk right off the main road (5 minutes?). From the summit (1,683 ft) on a clear day, expect panoramic views of the Taconic Mountains and Berkshire Mountains to the north and northwest including Bear Mountain, Canaan Mountain, and Cream Hill in Connecticut, Race Mountain, Mount Everett, Mount Greylock in Massachusetts, and the eastern Catskills in New York. 

This would be an excellent place to come back in the winter and cross-country ski/snowshoe. The state forest/state park abuts the Mohawk Mountain Ski Area (separate entrance). The Blue-Blazed Mohawk Trail passes through the towns of Cornwall, Goshen, and Cannan and a section of that traverses the park (about 3.5 miles) to the summit if you prefer to head up the mountain on foot. There are outhouses in the park. 

Activities

Scenic Drive (2.7-miles of paved road to the top)

Hiking - Maps can be found HERE
Picnicking
Lookout Tower and Scenic Overlook
Fishing Pond and Stream Fishing
Cross-Country Skiing

Youth Group Camping

Cunningham Tower

You will see a stone pillar blocked off to cars by a hunter green wooden beam marked "Cunningham Tower". It's about 1/10 of a mile off the main road (5-minute walk) to see the tower.  The stone tower was constructed by Litchfield resident Seymour Cunningham after he bought land for sheep farming on Mohawk Mountain in 1912. The tower has since been gutted (stairs and roof removed) but still makes a great spot to stop while visiting the park. History behind the tower and the park can be found here. 

Need to Know

The main entrance is off Route 4 (Bunker Hill Road). Turn onto Toomey Road and follow the road to the top. The road to the summit is about 2.7-miles (one way). 

The forest recreation areas are open from 8 am to sunset. 

Other forest areas are open one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Gates remain open between April-November. 

Gates close during the winter (dates vary with snowfall)

Mohawk State Forest

20 Mohawk Mountain Road

Goshen, CT 06756