Castle Craig, Connecticut River Valley Travel Guide

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Ascend to Castle Craig in Meriden's Hubbard Park for breathtaking panoramic views and a glimpse into local history.

Castle Craig, a 32-foot-tall stone observation tower, stands atop East Peak in Meriden's Hubbard Park, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Connecticut landscape. Dedicated in 1900, the tower is a beloved landmark and a testament to the generosity of Walter Hubbard.

A brief summary to Castle Craig

Peak Dr, Meriden, Connecticut, 06451, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Castle Craig.

Check the Hubbard Park website for seasonal road closures before driving to Castle Craig.
Wear comfortable shoes for hiking the trails to Castle Craig.
Bring a camera to capture the stunning panoramic views from the top of the tower.
Pack a picnic to enjoy in Hubbard Park's scenic picnic areas.

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Getting There

Driving

From I-91 in Middletown, take I-691 West to Exit 4 for Southington/Route 322. Turn left onto West Main Street. Hubbard Park is approximately one mile on the left. Follow the signs within the park to the road leading up to Castle Craig, which is open seasonally. Parking is available near the tower. There are no fees for parking or accessing the tower.
Walking

From the main parking area in Hubbard Park near Mirror Lake, follow the white-blazed Hubbard Park Loop trail. Cross a footbridge over I-691 and ascend to Beehive Spring. From there, connect to the red-blazed trail, which leads to the blue-blazed trails ascending to either West Peak or East Peak, where Castle Craig is located. Allow approximately 1-2 hours for the hike to the tower. There are no fees associated with hiking to Castle Craig.

Discover more about Castle Craig

Castle Craig, a distinctive stone observation tower, crowns East Peak within the expansive Hubbard Park in Meriden, Connecticut. Standing 976 feet above sea level, the 32-foot-tall tower provides visitors with sweeping vistas of the Meriden area, including views of New Haven and Long Island Sound to the south, the foothills of the Berkshires to the west, and the Hartford skyline to the north.Dedicated on October 29, 1900, Castle Craig was gifted to the people of Meriden by Walter Hubbard, a prominent local industrialist and philanthropist. The tower and the surrounding 1,800-acre Hubbard Park are named in his honor. Constructed from native trap rock by local stonemasons, the tower's design inspiration remains a topic of debate, with some suggesting Norman French towers, a 12th-century Turkish tower, or an ancient Scottish fortification as possible influences.Today, Castle Craig remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can reach the tower via hiking trails, including the 62-mile Metacomet Trail, or by driving along Reservoir Road, which is open to vehicular traffic from May to October. The park itself offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, picnicking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Hubbard Park also has a legend of the "Black Dog", who will supposedly grant worldly goods to those who see it once, physical ailments to those who see it twice, and death to those who see it a third time.