East Rock Park

This was truly one of the highlights of my trip! The view from the top of East Rock is absolutely breathtaking — you can see the whole city of New Haven, the river winding below, and the horizon stretching out toward the Long Island Sound. It’s even more stunning at sunset when the sky turns gold and pink over the trees. The park is peaceful, clean, and easy to access whether you drive up or hike. It’s the perfect place to pause, take photos, and soak in the beauty of Connecticut in every season. If you’re visiting New Haven, don’t miss East Rock Park — it’s a must-see!

This was a nice little hike, with easy to follow trails. There aren't many maps of the trails, but if you make it to the top by the Monument they have some. Additionally, Google maps can me of some help. Will say that the steps going up are pretty steep, but not hard to climb. The views were good, but wish that I got to see it with more fall foliage.

nice viewwwwwww!!!!!!!! Parking is weird like I just parked on the side of the road. There’s some cool shortcuts that are pretty steep and narrow, but the view is sweet. also there is a lot of shade so yay !

Cool park with an AMAZING cliff side view of downtown New Haven. Can drive up during summer season and during park hours but they close the gate for fall and winter so it's walk or bike up only. Has about 100 parking spots up top and some picnic tables and grilling spots, as well as a castle and a couple great spots to sit and enjoy the view. If you hike up from bottom lot it's about 15-20 min up and is very easy.

Whether you're a local or just passing through, this park is a must-visit for anyone who loves the outdoors. The main attraction is the summit. Getting there is half the fun, and you have options! You can drive a winding, scenic road to the top, which is perfect for those with limited mobility or families with young kids. For the more adventurous, the park offers a variety of trails. While it's a workout, the 360-degree views from the top make every step worth it. East Rock Park is an excellent day trip destination. It's a fantastic spot for a picnic, to snap some photos, or simply to sit and take in the view.

Beautiful nature park that’s perfect to visit with your furry friend. No cars are allowed, so it’s nice and quiet — aside from an occasional bicycle zooming by. A peaceful place to relax, walk, and enjoy nature. Highly recommend!

This place provides a simple and humble trekking experience for a newcomer. This is a great place to refresh and relax which is easily accessible as well. It offers a splendid view and has a spacious park atop.

A beautiful hike up the hill to the monument on top. The mapping was rather confusing. Most of the roads were closed. You get an inspiring view of New Haven.

Amazing park! Great for walking, hiking, or even jogging up (yes, lots of people do it!). I would especially recommend going in the spring and summer - it's night and day versus the wintertime, when the trees are barren and the whole park looks a lot more sinister and imposing. However in spring everything is so green, light, and beautiful. Of course, the views from the top (at East Rock Peak) are especially great - and you can look out across the city of New Haven and all the way out for some awesome views!

Large, BEAUTIFUL park near downtown New Haven. Unclear GPS directions/signs make it a BIT tough to navigate, but we eventually found where we wanted to be, and were rewarded with scenic trails and a challenging (whew!!) hilly walk up to the not-to-be-missed Soldiers' monument and overlook of the city. We were lucky to hit the last of peak leaf season, but I'm sure ANY time of year is great for a visit to this wonderful oasis. Didn't see very much during our quick visit, but hope to return to check out more trails and waterways. GREAT spot for locals and visitors alike. Hope to return with more time to explore SOON!!

We went to East Rock Park to see the overlook. The view of the whole city and ocean is super nice. There's a historical Soldier and Sailor's monument right next it too. But the area is under maintained. Parking area and benches are dirty, pavement has lots of potholes driving up to the outlook spot.

We paid a visit to East Rock Park with the initial intent of driving up to the viewpoint so we could take in the view. Unfortunately, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" - the road turned out to be closed to cars in the wintertime. Undaunted, we walked along the road for just under half a hour and reached the top. Tip: At the top there's a memorial to sailors and soldiers from the area who died fighting for their country. The views of the water and the city from the top were good enough that we didn't at all regret the hike we had to take to get up there, despite the chilly winter temperatures.

Splendid park just outside of downtown that will have you thinking you are in an entirely different part of the state. The highlight of this park? Walking up the giant steps to the summit, where the Soldiers and Sailors monument awaits. Up the top also creates a glorious view of New Haven and the Long Island Sound. If you are into hiking or running up to the top, I highly recommend doing it, but only when it is a sunny day. Otherwise, you can take your car to the top, but it is not the same. The park is very clean and there is an abundance of activities you can do here. As a reward you can get a pizza or a donut for all the hard work you just did, or cheated for.

My favorite hike on weekdays to do with the husband and kids. Weekends can get busy but still enjoyable if you arrive early enough

The best part of our trip spending time with each other. The walk you can choose to be short or long. The ending point being the best view of New Haven of all the area. Be careful though because it seems to be spots where ,though probably not legal, you can go and get insane pictures.

This is kind of a 5 stars but it is not a place that you must see, so a 4 star rating seems more appropriate... and with that said, it is a relaxing move away from the city although not much to do around this park. The crowds are not very large, lots of people come to hang and to have picnics, some even come to study, so it is a busy area, yet not as busy as the downtown area. I was able to walk barefoot, check out the city from the top of the mountain, relax a bit, not a bad little park. Oh, yes, there is a middle of the road park also where no one goes, so consider that if you find no parking, which is rare.

Trees, Trails, Sun, birds, water. All the things for a beautiful day in the park. Lots of areas to lay a blanket down to relax. Being your chairs and a picnic and spend the day.

This 427 acre park is a city park in New Haven, Connecticut. The park includes a mountainous ridge called East Rock. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The botanical rose garden is also part of the park at a separate location.

7/15/22 I've tried on several occasions recently to take the drive up to the summit parking at the monument atop East Rock Park. Apparently all the PAVED roads leading up there are closed to vehicular traffic. I cannot find any explanation for these closures Whatever reason the city had for closing them should be posted at the access points, not just some orange cones with a "Road Closed" billboard sign on the ground. I'd really enjoy the ride up there on my Geezer Glide trike. I certainly am unable to walk or cycle up there at this point in my life. WTH good is a park that's restricted only to healthy, young walkers and cyclists? Seems a bit discriminatory toward seniors and handicap folks. So New Haven, what's that about?

Beautiful park with overlook to the city. Easy paved walk. The road is blocked to cars except on Sunday, so you don't have to deal with traffic during your walk/bike. Was relatively busy but still quiet on a Saturday morning. Good place for a stroll with some coffee.

What a unique and beautiful place with some truly unbelievable views of the city, sound, and surrounding countryside. The park has loads of trails and was a lot of fun to explore. There is plenty of parking at the base of the hill. There is a good amount of signage throughout the park with trail maps and information. The view at the top has informational signage and you can view the New Haven veteran's memorial which overlooks the city. Additionally there are benches and bathrooms at the top of the hill available. A must visit in New Haven and a great place to enjoy nature and an incredible view!

All the roads into the interior of the park are closed. Lots of trash and garbage throughout the park. The area around the park is sketchy, to the point I didn't want to leave my car unattended. Disappointing.

An afternoon stroll, a picnic with a view, mountain biking trails several playgrounds too. Bigger than you think, explore out of your car! (Vandalism and litter is why it lost a star.)

Every time I want to drive to the Summit to see the beautiful views from the top of the mountain, they have the gates locked.

This park is awesome. It is very close to New Haven downtown. Definitely go here if you are in the area. Very beautiful park. The view from summit is gorgeous. There are hiking trails and picnic areas. Biking in the park is also fun.

Gorgeous, easy hike to enjoy with plenty of marked paths to choose from. There is a large grassy area with BBQ pits, Porter potties (not the cleanest, but that's to be expected I guess), and a beautiful statue at the top with a lookout area over the city. Spent about 2 hours hiking down and back up from the parking lot at the top here. Great exercise without being too arduous. Would definitely recommend bug spray and long pants as some parts had thicker brush on the path.

Amazing place to hike! Even after staying in New Haven for 1+ years, it was my first time visiting. You can park on Orange St and walk up the White trail to the Summit. It is scenic and the walk by the river is so relaxing. The climb up is of moderate intensity but you can take breaks in between. The views from the top are amazing and worth it. Go hike this place!

My boyfriend and I headed up here on a rainy morning during a long weekend in New Haven, and while you could not see anything, the fog over the town was a beautiful sight. It was also super quiet up at the summit because of the rain, which was great. Without any other people around, it felt a little spooky - in a good way. However, a few hours later the rain cleared up and we went again in the afternoon and the view was fucking spectacular. We were not there for hiking, just soaking in the views, so I can't speak for its trails, but a large group was having a picnic/party and it seemed like a great area for that kind of thing as well.

East Rock Park is a great place for a short walk or long hike, and if you make it to the top, it's a pretty nice area to spend some time. I live at the base of the park and get to explore it often with my dog. Whether we do a loop on the lower trail or hike all the way to the top, it's like a mini-retreat in my day, and I'm glad that this park is basically my backyard. There are definitely better places to hike in the state, but with a pretty easy hike to the top, East Rock makes for a relaxing excursion. We have found needles on the lower trails, and there is a lot of litter as you get to the trails closer to the summit, but in general, the trails aren't bad. There was a tree that fell and blocked part of a lower trail for about a week, but someone actually came and cleared it, so I think the trails are fairly maintained. At the summit, you can pretty much see the entire city, which is pretty cool. There are a good number of picnic tables and a big grassy area at the summit, so it's also conducive for hanging out. You can also drive to the top, and there is a good amount of parking. I've driven by the garden area and walked through the playgrounds, both at the base of the park, so there's more to do than just hike here, too.

Great place for a stroll, bike ride, or you-name-it. My favorite is the run from the main parking lot to the top. About 450 ft elevation gain and 7 miles. It'll get your heart going! Beautiful views and beautiful rock formations combined equals one wonderful park! Tip: just be careful by yourself if you are around at night as it isn't surrounded by all of the best neighborhoods.

Came here with two good friends, and we decided to make the 5 minute walk to East Rock - and make the climb.. There apparently are a few ways to get up the hill on foot, and we took the steepest route. It is a bit of a challenge, but doable. Other than the occasional passing car when passing along the roads, the climb was great and the view from the top was spectacular. So basically, East Rock Park didn't disappoint.

Summary: Easy to moderate difficulty hiking with a great view. If you are a beginning hiker or are just looking for a short climb with a great payoff then East Rock park is for you. The park has the best view of downtown New Haven around. The summit is paved and can be driven up when the park gates are open. East Rock is also home to the lovely Soldiers and Sailors Monument: a 366 foot granite and bronze monument to wars past. A must-see for history buffs in the area. Although East Rock has a lot to offer, it's trail marking system is not well maintained and it is easy to get lost on your way up. Additionally, I would not East Rock as a spot for night hiking given the uptick in recreational activity here at after sunset. Overall, East Rock is a nice place for a hike, jog, picnic, or scenic drive and is well worth a visit.

This is a great walk/hike ! There are two ways to get into the park. During the winters the road to drive all the way up is closed. That being said you can walk up using the same road (or the rougher path along terrain that surrounds the road). That's the longer way and will get you there in like 30 minutes ! The shorter way is from east rock park (with the bridge on Orange). When you get to the end of Orange take the trail that goes to the right and follow it all the way to you get to the grassy area/baseball field on your right and you'll see a crosswalk (and a random street lamp). This is a steeper trail but it will get you up to the top in 15 minutes. I like do this trail whenever I need a quick break or a good night view of New Haven.

Nice and picturesque. Everyone seems to socially distance while picnicking and I felt very safe.

This is a great, pretty spacious park that is close to Yale University. I really enjoyed the hiking trail here. You can either take a nicely upsloping meandering path (about 20 minutes), or you can take the Giant Steps path up to the top. There are several entrances to the park, but you can start just about anywhere and get to the center (and top) of the park, which provides great views of the surrounding area. Sometimes the hiking paths are clearly marked, but I somehow still got a little off the regular path. It is easy to find the main road though, and you can easily get back onto another trail. There are bike trails here, and quite a few families and dog-walkers. All around, a great park in New Haven.

New Haven's precious jewel. I can remember training in the trails of East Rock during my High School years. Great memories there. Beautiful views of New Haven and a sensational spot to catch a sunset.

I'll give nature 5 stars. :-) For my birthday I wanted to go to one of my favorite locations in the area to just look out over and see the entire new haven county. the sights are just spectacular... i immediately knew i made the right decision to take some time and just enjoy the sights. it was windy but i don't need long to get the recharge i needed!

East Rock rocks. Literally. Mainly because it is a huge chunk of traprock jutting over the southern Connecticut landscape. This New Haven landmark is a must-drive destination when out-of-towners ask to see the local area. You can't get a better view of east, west, north or south of the city. Plus, the "giant steps" are fun to hike up & down. I probably haven't hiked them since I was a little kid. The only thing I don't like about the park are the erratic hours of the entrance gate. Sometimes it's open. Sometimes it's not. I can't figure out the logic. When it's closed you cannot drive to the top. It's amazing how something so beautiful and peaceful can be surprisingly so close to the city.

Look I love the outdoors and nice views, but southern CT can do better (Sleeping Giant for example). A late summer weekend was pretty crowded, lots of people driving around, some smokers chucking their butts over the wall towards the cliffs, and so-so views. If you're looking for quiet, serenity and a physical climb look elsewhere. If you're in the area and looking for quick outdoor activity with interesting vantage points of NH hit up East Rock.

East Rock Park is a unique geological formation that was formed ~200 million years ago during the great continental drift and is one of the many aspects of New Haven that qualify it for the #GSCIA hashtag. (Greatest Small City In America...initially took me some Googling to figure out what that stood for) Even when I lived downtown, I would bring out of town friends to the summit because the view from 350 ft summit can't be beat. And now that I live at the base of it, it's quite amazing to have this incredible park right in my backyard. They recently installed some educational storyboards at the summit so you can appreciate the rich history and see historical pictures of what New Haven looked like in its heyday. While you can drive, or as I often do, ride up the paved Farnam Drive to the summit, there are also a number of different trails you can take if you're looking for a more off-road experience. From the base trails you can also find access points to the Mill River, if kayaking or paddle boarding is your thing. The trails are very well marked and easy to follow and there is a plethora of information on their City of New Haven website. (http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/parks/parksinformation/eastrockpark.asp) The Giant Steps trail is probably the most fun and challenging (and by challenging I mean still pretty easy) and is the most direct way to get to the summit. On the summit there are public grills and lots of open grassy areas for you and your crew to post up, shadily crack open a few beers, and just take in the warm weather, although personally I prefer the 27-acre Edgerton Park for that kind of chillaxing type of activity. If you live in New Haven and haven't been here, then you are most certainly missing out.

1 star because East Rock is a good place to drive up and look out from with out-of-town guests who don't want to hike. Which is cool and it's certainly beautiful when you do this and our guests ooh and aah over the fall foliage (or the lush green) that we pass on the drive up - the sunlight filters through just so - and they ooh and aah over the view. 2 stars because it's nice to ride thru, on a bike, on the way to the canal trail. 3 stars because jogging on the paths that run around the base of the park, along the little stream, behind the Eli Whitney Museum, through the neighborhood park, etc is pretty nice. 4 stars because I like walking on the closed roads in rain, shine or snowy weather. But this park gets only 4 stars because it's not within walking distance of my house. I guess that's my problem, but still.

Lovely park with amazing views of New Haven. Great trails and pavilions for cookouts and get-togethers. One of the best places to catch the fall colors of New Haven, the overlook has views from the sound back up through the hills to the north and West Rock.

I love this park. There are tons of trails and a few "closed roads" to hike. When I lived in New Haven I was there every day with my dalmation Dorothy. There are at least a dozen trails we frequented that took us from the mill river starting on Orange Street to the top where the monument is and back down the other side to where the waterfall is at the Eli Whitney Musuem. I remember Dorothy once chased a deer down a trail for quite a distance. I always wonder what would have happened had she caught up to that deer. In the winter you can't drive to the top but it's a great walk if you park your car at the entrance. Atop East Rock where the views are spectacular sits newly repaired Soldiers and Sailor Monument. A worthy attraction if you're in the neighborhood. I just wish they (the park visitors and the city) would keep the top of the rock cleaner. It's always very littered. Why would somone do that! Anyway, the trails are nice and clean.

I've lived in New Haven for about a year now and I still think the best view of the city comes from the summit of East Rock park on a clear, sunny day. You can see almost all the way down Orange St. (the spine of New Haven!) to downtown. There are better places to hike (Sleeping Giant in Hamden, for instance), but I think for being an urban park, East Rock gives you everything you could want and a little more. For one, I really enjoy the diversity and variety of people you see in the park on a nice afternoon. Huge families, grad students, younger kids playing football. You get a really good mix of people. In the summer I frequently see a Good Humor truck and even the Caseus truck on the summit from time to time. The hiking isn't great, but they actually do have a few mountain bike trails which are pretty well-maintained and present a decent challenge. There's actually a few really steep declines, so you'll definitely want to keep your eyes out (and your helmet on) if you aren't experienced. While there are nicer parks in the world, and certainly quieter, more peaceful parks with better hiking, I really enjoy East Rock Park and it's one of my favorite places to hang out on a warm day in the Elm City.

If you are in New Haven this place is a place you must visit just for the view over New Haven, the Sound and out to Long Island on nice days. If you ride a motorcycle, like I do, you should run this course everyday, like I do. If you are a hiker, or jogger, go to Sleeping Giant, or West Rock. The entire East Rock Park is infested with poison ivy, and ticks with Lyme disease. Don't say you weren't warned.

At least the view is nice... East Rock is great because of its location - easy to walk to if you live in New Haven. The view at the top is gorgeous especially during the fall. However, if you're looking for a scenic or challenging hike, you're going to have to find a different hill. The paths often cross the curvy road to the top. It can be a bit dangerous because the lazy drivers can't fathom that someone would want to walk to the top. But no matter how you get to the top, you'll be rewarded with a great view of all of New Haven.

I went to East Rock park for a visit with my housemate recently. The GPS shows 2 entrances, you have to pay attention and not miss the small sign that points to a parking lot but that's also the way up to the summit. The summit is closed to cars during the winter season, for the obvious reason. =) We ended up parking our car and taking a short 15 min. hike up to the monument, that's allowed, but the weather is crispy freezing.. It's actually kind of nice to have the whole mountain top to yourselves, as this seem to happen a lot during off season in this part of the world. Not a single soul is sight, and only bumped into another couple at the summit for a few minutes. The monument on top has just finished renovation on Oct. 16, 2010. The 4 sides show bias relief from 4 US wars: Revolution, War of 1812, Civil, and (?? forgot).. Also statues of 4 virtues sitting atop each side. There's a small covered picnic area nearby, this'd be a wonderful but crowded place in the nice summer season. The view of New Haven and Hamden below is incredible and memorable. But as my housemate says, "look to one side only!" One can combine this summit drive in the summer with a 1.5 hr walk tour of Yale campus, plus visit the libraries and museums on campus. My favourite is the Beineke rare books collection. Those Vermont marble walls GLOW in the afternoon sunlight, especially towards dusk, they show firy orange and red patterns.. Beautiful design!

What do I miss most about the Garden State? Jersey's lush green. Yes, when you steer away from the armpit part of the NJ Turnpike, you actually get the green part of the state. And here in New Haven, East Rock Park is where I'll come to, in order to find my solace, my home away from home. The roads here remind me of the the roads leading to the Palisades Cliffs or Bear Mountain. The roads are tree lined, creating a tent for those who pass by. The sunlight filters through the bright green leaves, leaving me in sublime. Best of all, all this is free! Whether you hike your way up to the rock or drive leisurely, you'll enjoy getting there just as much as the destination. The view from the top is fine with a flat clearing for kids of all ages to play on, but the trees... that's what I'm here for.

As an urban park, East Rock has two sides. During the days it's a nice park to go walking, hiking, and biking in. However, at night it'll pose the same risks as any part of town, with the added problem of being less populated. With that out of the way, East Rock is definitely worth the time. I've enjoyed hiking and biking to the top of the park, and the view is certainly worth the trip. You can look out over the town with the harbor in the distance and watch the hawks flying around hunting for food.

Whenever friends and family visit, I always take them to the observation deck here to look over New Haven. Such great views of the entire "city" as well as Long Island on a nice sunny day. Sufficient parking and a great area to picnic!

Coming from Upstate NY where our trails are great, I was honestly a bit disappointed with East Rock. The big reason is this: If you choose the medium-grade trail, it is covered in broken glass that could be a huge safety hazard if you slip, especially since the trail is gravel. Otherwise, there is a section of stair that badly needs some kind of repair. That said, I really liked it once I figured things out (yeah, no directional signs, just ones that said which trail you were on when the trail started). It was a great hike up to the top and the view was well worth the dangerous trek through glass. The day was beautiful, too.

Live at the base of East Rock and love this city park. A great place to walk dogs - keep your dog on a leash though b/c of the wildlife and other pets - some aggressive. All the tourists drive to the top but if you are willing to walk a bit, park at the base, near Rice field, on English Drive and hike up (asphalt part of the way, if you don't want a trail). This road less traveled takes you to Indian Head and it is a much quieter and prettier place to end up. The colors in the fall are spectacular! The view from the top is stunning - on a real clear day you can see Long Island! For the last couple of years the city has had the 4th of July fireworks from the top of Indian Head and they are SPECTACULAR. Sit in Rice field and they explode right above you!! Truly Stunning! Never seen better and I have seen a few elsewhere! The parks dept has a map - http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/parks/parksinformation/media/2008EastRockMap.pdf Do not leave valuables in the car!! - here or elsewhere in the area!

I like this place. Where else can you lie down on grass and stare at the sky? It is a convenient with a bit of a hike. Not meant to take the people with bad knees. These steps climb pretty steep and do not have mercy on those that hate walking on strong inclines. The air is sweet, fragrant, and grassy. There are portopotties when I can by since the visitor center was closed. I came on Labor Day, so I expected this to be the case. It is nice and quiet to read a book. I saw another young lady having a delightful picnic and perusing some magazines. My mom noticed a place to have a barbecue in case you like festivities in a park. We got up to the statue and realized that it was locked. (minus one star) Yes, we hiked up. Yes, we got the greatest view, but why oh why is it locked? We wanted to climb inside the statue. Unless I am mistaken and it has always been unavailable to the public. Someone let me know and I will add back this star. All in all, the fresh air of Connecticut makes me ponder what it would be like to retire early here. =)

I love East Rock. It's great to walk around in, and the view at the top is really nice. However, I would recommend West Rock park to anyone who hasn't been. It's further, so you have to drive, but the view is better, and there is a lot more wilderness to explore.

While taking a road trip and traveling down the highway towards downtown New Haven, I saw this crazy tower on top of a hill and wondered what it was. Thanks to google maps, I saw that it was a park that I could visit. We drove up to the the top and parked right by the observation area, and what a pleasant surprise! You can see all of New Haven and across the sound to Long Island, NY. I really enjoyed how there is a map that shows you what exactly you're looking at so if you're not from the area ( like me) you know. There were a lot of people sightseeing, taking pictures and in the park area right behind us, many people were picnicking. There is a really awesome tower that wasn't open to the pubic, but every interesting to walk around. From what I remember I think the different sides of the tower represent different wars. That's what's great about road trips, that I can find gems like this.

Best view of New Haven on a sunny day! Love that the ice cream trucks travel through the park as well. Great for walking or biking, but it is hilling so be careful. Not to mention that the East Rock area has a lot of nearby delis and eateries that offer outdoor seating.

Stopped at the park on our way out of town and I was so glad we did! Beautiful panoramic view! I wish we had stayed to watch the sunset but it was fall and the leaves were just perfect!!