Backpack Trail Guide

Trails

Top Backpacking Trails in Connecticut

8 routes. Each page shows when we last checked it. Updated October 2026.

Connecticut’s backpacking trips on this site fall into two areas. In the northwest, the Appalachian Trail runs 52.2 miles, per the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, from the New York line along ridges above the Housatonic River to Bear Mountain, which the ATC calls the state’s highest peak. The site covers it in five point-to-point sections of about 7 to 12 miles, from Ten Mile Hill north to Lion’s Head. In eastern Connecticut, state forest trails cross lower, rolling woods: the roughly 31-mile Pachaug-Nehantic loop, the roughly 32-mile Natchaug and Nipmuck route, and the 6.1-mile loop around Breakneck Pond.

Camping rules differ by area. On the AT, camping is only at shelters and designated sites, first come, first served, and open fires are never allowed, per the AMC Connecticut Chapter. Shelters sleep about six, so the ATC advises carrying a tent. In the state forests, CT DEEP issues backpack permits by reservation only, asks for applications at least two weeks ahead, and limits stays to one night per site.

Black bears live across the state, and the ATC reported in 2026 that bears remain active around the Riga Shelter. DEEP allows hunting on specified state lands, including state forests, with the peak from the third Saturday in October through December, so wear bright colors in fall. AllTrails warns of spring mud around Breakneck Pond. Before a trip near Kent, check the ATC’s trail updates: a long-term reroute between CT 341 and Skiff Mountain Road bypasses the damaged Macedonia Brook bridge.

Quick picks

Eastern Connecticut

Northwest Connecticut

Backpacking in Connecticut: common questions

Do you need a permit to backpack in Connecticut?

It depends on where you camp. On the Appalachian Trail, no permit was found; the AMC Connecticut Chapter says shelters and campsites are first come, first served. In the state forests, CT DEEP issues backpack camping permits by reservation only and asks you to send an application at least two weeks before your trip, with a one-night limit at each site.

Can you camp anywhere in Connecticut's forests?

No. CT DEEP says backpack camping in the state forests is only allowed at its designated sites and that dispersed camping is not permitted. On the Appalachian Trail, camping is permitted only at designated shelters and campsites, according to the ATC and the AMC Connecticut Chapter. Check the managing agency's map for site locations before you go.

Are campfires allowed when backpacking in Connecticut?

Not on the Appalachian Trail, where the AMC Connecticut Chapter says open fires are never permitted and you should always use a stove. In the state forests, CT DEEP asks backpackers to use stoves and, if a fire is necessary, to build it only in an established fire ring and put it fully out. Fire rules can change, so confirm with the managing agency.

Are there bears on Connecticut backpacking trails?

Yes. CT DEEP says black bears are found statewide, with sightings reported in 150 of the state's 169 towns in 2019, and advises keeping a clean campsite and keeping food out of your tent. The AMC says some Appalachian Trail sites have steel bear boxes, and the ATC reported in 2026 that bears remain active around the Riga Shelter, recommending the bear box or a hard-sided bear canister there.

Is it safe to backpack in Connecticut during hunting season?

Hunting is permitted on specified state lands, including state forests, and CT DEEP says peak small game and deer hunting runs from the third Saturday in October through December, busiest before 9 a.m. DEEP advises wearing bright clothing, avoiding gray, brown, tan, or white, and putting a bright orange vest on dogs. Check the Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for current seasons.

Can you bring a dog backpacking in Connecticut?

Rules vary by managing agency. CT DEEP does not allow pets at its state forest backpack camping sites, which covers the Pachaug, Natchaug, and Breakneck Pond trips on this site. On the Appalachian Trail, the ATC says hikers with dogs should plan to tent rather than use shelters and keep dogs on a leash.

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