Camp Columbia State Park: A Blend of History and Nature

Camp Columbia State Park, located in Morris, Connecticut, is a 600-acre site that combines historical intrigue with outdoor recreation. The park was once the rural campus of Columbia University's Engineering Department, serving as a summer camp for engineering and surveying students from 1891 to 1983. The park's history is rich and varied. Columbia University purchased the land in 1903, but the university had maintained a summer field camp to teach surveying in nearby Litchfield since 1884. During World War I, the camp served as a combat training facility for college students seeking officer commissions, with remnants of trenches still visible today. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was president of Columbia University, reportedly hunted on the property. Today, visitors can explore the park's 3.2 miles of recreational trails, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trails lead to the Class of 1906 observation tower, a stone structure offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Besides the tower, the only other remaining structure is the Instrument House. Hunting is permitted in the state forest portion of the park. Camp Columbia State Park offers a unique opportunity to step back in time while enjoying the natural beauty of Connecticut's landscape.