An informational kiosk describes life at High Rock Grove during the 1800s: “A dam on the Naugatuck River was built to divert water to the mills in Beacon Falls. The lake behind the dam was a popular swimming and boating area, and a network of trails, bridges and picnic areas filled the woods. Passenger trains brought visitors from New Haven and Waterbury in special picnic cars. A full brass band would play whenever a train passed. On summer weekends, hundreds of people could be found enjoying the river and scenery at High Rock Grove.”
The picnic train cars and brass band are things of the past, but not much else has changed since the 19th century, with visitors to the area seeking out the same adventures and respites now offered as the West Block of the Naugatuck State Forest in the wilds of Naugatuck, Oxford and Beacon Falls. It’s a place where visitors can explore the falls of Spruce Brook or hike along the peaceful banks of area reservoirs or to the top of craggy rocks high above Route 8 and those same railroad tracks.
The main parking area is located near Spruce Brook’s confluence with the Naugatuck River. The trailhead for a path marked with blue blazes is located along the southern banks of the brook, and unmarked paths run along the northern side. Those with a sense of adventure can navigate the brook bed by climbing over boulders and ledges and through deep pools.
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“Through this a beautiful mountain stream comes plunging down,” notes The History of the Old Town of Derby, 1642-1880, “winding around huge boulders which lie in its path, and leaping over rocky ledges, forming a series of charming little cascades, some of them hidden under the dense shadows of the woods.”
The first waterfall, a 15-foot plunge over a huge boulder, is the ravine’s main feature. Greg Parsons and Kate Watson of newenglandwaterfalls.com wrote a guide to more than 400 waterfalls across New England. They note the main falls is one of only two in New England where visitors can get behind the plunge due to a huge flat boulder and its overhang. They gave it 3.5 stars out of five.
“Depending on your own standards of what classifies as a waterfall, there are at least six or seven falls to be found here,” they note. “The ravine in which the falls lie supports an unusually large variety of plant life, which adds a lot of color to the area. Altogether, this is undoubtedly a contender for one of the prettiest ravines in all of New England.”
The blue-blazed trail continues to wind along the brook under the canopy of the hemlocks before reaching a crossing and an old woods road marked with white blazes. A bridge marks the entry into a huge waterfall that runs down a sheer cliff. Visitors can take an unmarked side trail that provides commanding views of the waterfall or hike along the flat ledges of the brook to the bottom of the falls and a small, cave-like depression where the water flows around you.
The trails around the four reservoirs located in the southwestern part of the block are easy to follow thanks to a multicolored trail system. Visitors can follow the blue-blazed path to explore Reservoir 4 or follow a red- and green-blazed trail that leads south to Reservoir 3. Each reservoir has a dam and spillway at its southern end, taking Pine Brook on its journey through the quartet of impoundments before emptying out into the Naugatuck River.
The paved Spruce Brook Road runs through the heart of the block for those who are less sturdy on their feet. Look for the trail marked with red diamonds near a small parking area that will bring hikers to the northern overlook. Toby’s Rock Mountain can be accessed from the blue trail that runs along Spruce Brook. There are views south and north along the Route 8 corridor which is surprisingly heavily forested and mountainous, something you might miss when driving along the busy highway.
Stats
Naugatuck State Forest, West Block — Naugatuck, Oxford and Beacon Falls
The bottom line: Trails run through the picturesque Spruce Brook ravine, to the top of a pair of stunning overlooks and loop around four reservoirs with pine groves and along paths that travel along the banks of the impoundments.
Length: Multiple trails through the eastern and northern portions of the block total 20 miles to make it a day of hiking.
Difficulty: The paths along the ravine and hikes roundup the overlook are moderately challenging. The reservoir paths are relatively easy.
Directions: Route 8 to Exit 24. Travel south on Route 852 and take a right on Railroad Avenue, cross the iron bridge, and over the railroad tracks. Take a right on Cold Springs Road. Visitors can either park at the gate or follow the unimproved and rugged road along the railroad tracks. Look for the parking area where the road turns and leaves the tracks. There is parking for the reservoirs along Route 42 in Oxford, and a paved portion of Spruce Brook Road can be accessed off the end of Hunters Mountain Road in Naugatuck. Go to tinyurl.com/naugystateforest for a map of the state forest.
Pet friendly? Leashed dogs are allowed and must be cleaned up after with the plastic bags disposed properly.
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Nearby attractions
Black Hog Brewing in Oxford features 12 taps with a variety of ales and lagers, from a Cold Pizza pilsner to a Hogenator to a S.W.A.G summer wheat ale. The tasting room offers local snacks, and there is a rotating selection of food trucks.
Fire off some frustration at Oxford’s Yankee Paintball, with fields for 68-caliber paintball for teens and adults, and low-impact, 50-caliber action for kids 12 and younger.
In Naugatuck, Avenue Restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine including clams with peppers, onions and Portuguese sausage in red sauce, octopus Galego style, and a Portuguese-style steak with fried potatoes and an egg.