Attraction of the Week: Enders Falls in Northern Connecticut
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Mike and I recently planned a stay at the Mohegan Sun (a resort we frequented a lot a few years back when we lived in Massachusetts). Missing the beautiful nature in the area, we decided to plan a daytrip to do some leaf peeping. I had heard on the news that Hartford County was a leaf peeping hotspot so we decided to pick a hike within this region. We were limited on time as we only had a few days before heading up to Massachusetts to visit my sister. I really want to plan another trip to check out some of the bigger hiking areas. We chose a state forest which was known for being home to a small, but pretty waterfall. Enders Falls is just 30 feet tall, although the gorgeous natural setting and minimal effort required to see it, makes it easily accessible.
The waterfall is viewable via a short hike within the tiny 2089 acre Enders State Park in the town of Granby in the northwestern portion of the state. It really is a lovely place to take a nice nature stroll due to the presence of several streams, waterfalls, wetlands, and beautiful woodsy forests. We lucked out and visited on a day where there was zero foot traffic; we had the entire forest to ourselves which was super peaceful especially after a few days at a busy casino resort.
A quiet nature oasis during the off-season
We enjoyed a quiet nature experience here thanks to the lack of crowds. Expect more crowds in summer due to the presence of a few small natural swimming holes which attract families with kids looking to cool down. The hiking here is pretty easy and relaxed and getting to the waterfall takes no more than 1/2 a mile trek.
There are many different access points to view the falls, with the prime spot requiring a bit of scrambling around rocks, although nothing too challenging. Bring hiking sticks and wear sturdy footwear and you should be fine. There are several smaller waterfalls and streams along the way, creating such a picture-perfect setting anytime of year.
The entire hike is beautiful, not just the waterfall. I am sure that this forest likely draws a lot of photographers. I noticed many rocks on which you can place your tripod for the perfect smooth photo. Trail markage is adequate for beginners. If you are up for a bit more of an adventure, you can continue on to your heart’s desire on any of the unmarked trails. Most of the time I prefer staying on the designated route unless I am familiar with the area.
Do not attempt to cross the falls – it is not safe and you will see warning signs. It is recommended that you stick to the trail as the moss covered rocks are very slippery. There are plenty of fabulous views along the trail, so really no need to risk your safety! Proceed with caution. Enjoy this natural beauty from afar!
A leaf peeping hotspot
Like most forests in the New England region, this one also really shines during the fall season. Golden foliage surrounds you in every direction, making it a perfect choice for leaf peepers and those interested in fall photography. Some seasons are obviously more colorful. Our visit was just so-so: we saw some foliage, but it was not as bright as we were expecting. As you can see in these photos, there are a few hints of gold and red, but nothing too dramatic.
This is one of those places where your experience will depend on when your visit falls. Summer weekends, the hike can feel very touristy. Hiking on a beautiful fall weekday often brings much tranquility. If you are taking a road trip through the northern portion of the state, this place is just one of the many hidden gems you will come across.
What else did we do on this trip? We were heading up to Middleboro to visit my sister, so we stayed in the Boston for the night and took a gorgeous cruise along the Charles River. The colors were just so-so (what a bad season for foliage!), but we loved seeing all the beautiful architecture and learning more history. We also took another daytrip from the Mohegan to the beautiful Mystic Village shops as well as took a ride on the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat. Again, we planned it for a leaf peeping adventures, but the colors were a bit dull.
Location/Parking
The forest trailhead parking lot is located on Rt 219 in Granby, CT.
Parking is free, space is limited.
There are no bathrooms, picnic facilities, or trash cans – so plan ahead.
