City of Groton Watershed Lands
Managed by City of Groton
1,580 acres4.1 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
No trailhead mapped yet
Photo: Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 3.0AOutdoors
Outdoors in Ledyard
19% of Ledyard’s land is conserved: 4,714 acres
1,173 acres are parks and preserves, 76 per 1,000 residents. 45 miles of mapped trail cross Ledyard, 1.2 per square mile of land. The biggest trail networks: City of Groton Watershed Lands (4.1 mi), Atkinson Family Preserve (3.6 mi), Amos Avery Preserve (2.7 mi).
Ahead of 94% of U.S. towns · #14 of 155 in Connecticut. What drives it
Conserved land
19%
4,714 acres · of 38.2 sq mi of land
Trails
45 mi
1.2 per sq mi of land
Park land
1,173 ac
76 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
85%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
1.0 mi
1.0 mi paths
Highest peak
472 ft
Ayer Hill
Lakes & rivers
22
1 beach · 4 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Ledyard?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Ledyard have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Ledyard is ahead of 94% of U.S. towns, #14 of 155 in Connecticut. All four inputs are above most U.S. towns; conserved land ranks highest, the share of residents near a park lowest.
A
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Ledyard’s overall grade.
Conserved land19% of the land · typical CT town 15% · U.S. 4%ATrails1.2 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (45 mi) · CT 1.4 · U.S. 0.4A−Park land76 acres of park per 1,000 residents (1,173 acres) · CT 22 · U.S. 13A−Parks close to home85% of residents within a half mile of a park · CT 57% · U.S. 72%B+
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 94%
LessMore
Connecticut towns of 2,500+ (155)Ahead of 92%
Connecticut towns conserve more land than most (a typical one, 15%; the U.S., 4%), so Ledyard’s 19% is ahead of 65% of Connecticut towns, while its trails per square mile lead 42% of them.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would still be A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is City of Groton Watershed Lands, with 4.1 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Atkinson Family Preserve
Managed by Avalonia Land Conservancy
188 acres3.6 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Amos Avery Preserve
Managed by Avalonia Land Conservancy
99 acres2.7 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Great Oak Park
Managed by Town of Ledyard
207 acres2.6 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Rose Hill Wildlife Management Area
Managed by State of Connecticut
577 acres1.9 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Slosberg-Andersen Woodlands
Managed by Avalonia Land Conservancy
145 acres1.8 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Colonel Ledyard Highway Open Space
Managed by Town of Ledyard
101 acres1.8 mi of trail
Orange TrailGreen Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Pike Marshall Preserve
Managed by The Nature Conservancy
271 acres1.7 mi of trail
Dogs usually not allowed
Directionsto the parking lot
All 88 parks & preserves
City of Groton Watershed Lands1,580 acres · 4.1 mi of trail · City of Groton
Atkinson Family Preserve188 acres · 3.6 mi of trail · Avalonia Land Conservancy
DirectionsAmos Avery Preserve99 acres · 2.7 mi of trail · Avalonia Land Conservancy
DirectionsGreat Oak Park207 acres · 2.6 mi of trail · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsRose Hill Wildlife Management Area577 acres · 1.9 mi of trail · State of Connecticut
DirectionsSlosberg-Andersen Woodlands145 acres · 1.8 mi of trail · Avalonia Land Conservancy
DirectionsColonel Ledyard Highway Open Space101 acres · 1.8 mi of trail · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsPike Marshall Preserve271 acres · 1.7 mi of trail · The Nature Conservancy
DirectionsBarrett Preserve71 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · Avalonia Land Conservancy
DirectionsDow Centennial Preserve96 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Avalonia Land Conservancy
DirectionsAvery Farm Nature Preserve138 acres · 1.4 mi of trail · Groton Open Space Association
DirectionsPoquetanuck Cove Preserve233 acres · 1.3 mi of trail · Nature Conservancy
DirectionsLedyard Glacial Park21 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsLedyard Sportsmans Club183 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Ledyard Sportsman Club
Stoddard Hill State Park49 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
DirectionsBurton Property55 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsMystic Valley Hunt Club168 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Mystic Valley Hunt Club
Harry Leiser Tract57 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Avalonia Land Conservancy
DirectionsChriswood Trace Open Space26 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsLedyard Kettle Hole Park5 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsThompson Brook Preserve41 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Avalonia Land Conservancy
DirectionsTown Farm Road Open Space74 acres · Town of Ledyard
Grey Farm Open Space44 acres · Town of Ledyard
Highland Lake Park41 acres · Town of Ledyard
Quakertown Meadows Open Space38 acres · Town of Ledyard
Iron Street Open Space34 acres · Town of Ledyard
Whitehall Preserve30 acres · Town of Ledyard
Colonel Ledyard Park27 acres
Greenman Preserve26 acres · Avalonia Land Conservancy
Sable Drive Open Space22 acres · Town of Ledyard
Haley's Brook Preserve20 acres · Avalonia Land Conservancy
Cedar Ridge Road Open Space16 acres · Town of Ledyard
Berwick Preserve14 acres · Avalonia Land Conservancy
Meetinghouse Lane Open Space14 acres · Town of Ledyard
Norman Drive Open Space14 acres · Town of Ledyard
Haley Road Open Space12 acres · Town of Ledyard
Shewville Road Open Space12 acres · Town of Ledyard
Pfizer Field11 acres · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsSawmill Park11 acres · Town of Ledyard
Long Pond Boat Launch9 acres · State of Connecticut
Avery Hill Farms Open Space9 acres · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsChidley Way Open Space8 acres · Town of Ledyard
Gray Farm Road Open Space8 acres · Town of Ledyard
Torrey Park Open Space7 acres · Town of Ledyard
Red Brook Preserve6 acres · Avalonia Land Conservancy
Washington Drive Open Space6 acres · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsHomestead Road Open Space6 acres · Town of Ledyard
Stonehenge Subdivision Open Space6 acres · Town of Ledyard
Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve6 acres · Avalonia Land Conservancy
Sherwood Forest Open Space6 acres · Town of Ledyard
Hyde Park Drive Open Space6 acres · Town of Ledyard
Cranberry Pond Preserve6 acres · Avalonia Land Conservancy
Birch Street Open Space6 acres · Town of Ledyard
Gonch Farm Road Open Space5 acres · Town of Ledyard
Stoddards Wharf Road Open Space5 acres · Town of Ledyard
Bluebird Drive Open Space4 acres · Town of Ledyard
Lantern Hill Pond Boat Launch4 acres · State of Connecticut
DirectionsBarrett Park Open Space4 acres · Town of Ledyard
Eska Drive Open Space4 acres · Town of Ledyard
Deer Lane Open Space4 acres · Town of Ledyard
Huntington Way Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Spout Run Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Gallup Hill Road Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Osprey Drive Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Briarwood Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsErickson Park3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Avery Hill Road Extension Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Partridge Hollow Road Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Christy Hill Field3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Judge Crandall Field3 acres · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsFawn Drive Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Devonshire Open Space3 acres · Town of Ledyard
Oak Hills Trail Open Space2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Hewes Farm Open Space2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Kalmia Drive Open Space2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Donahue Property2 acres · Town of Ledyard
DirectionsJessica Lane Open Space2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Eagle Ridge Drive Open Space2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Aljen Heights2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Applewood Drive Open Space2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Terry Road Open Space2 acres · Town of Ledyard
Monticello Drive Open Space1 acres · Town of Ledyard
Model Park1 acres · Town of Ledyard
Laurel Leaf Drive Open Space1 acres · Town of Ledyard
Gales Ferry Launching Ramp1 acres
Parsonage Hill Manor Open Space1 acres · Town of Ledyard
August Meadows Open Space1 acres · Town of Ledyard
Greystone Court Open Space1 acres · Town of Ledyard
Who protects it
4,714 conserved acres
19% of Ledyard’s land. Who manages Ledyard’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
Land trusts & nonprofits870 ac
Town or city545 ac
Other state land378 ac
Private owners154 ac
State conservation7 ac
Not recorded3,087 ac
Local Other or Unknown · 2,256 acPrivate Conservation · 803 acLocal Conservation Area · 756 acPrivate Other or Unknown · 415 acState Conservation Area · 332 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 312 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. Public access isn’t recorded for 97 of 138 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 2,599 | Unknown |
| Rose Hill Wildlife Area State Conservation Area | Not recorded | 332 | Unknown |
| The Nature Conservancy Pike Marshall Preserve (Owned) Local Conservation Area | Land trusts & nonprofits | 260 | Open |
| Poquetanuck Cove Private Conservation | Land trusts & nonprofits | 231 | Unknown |
| Colonel Ledyard Park Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 131 | Unknown |
| Pike/Marshall Preserve Site Private Conservation | Land trusts & nonprofits | 113 | Unknown |
| Great Oak Park Local Conservation Area | Town or city | 111 | Open |
| Pheasant Run Homeowners Association Local Conservation Area | Private owners | 103 | Open |
| Avalonia Land Conservancy Local Conservation Area | Land trusts & nonprofits | 96 | Open |
| Pine Swamp Wildlife Corrdor Slosberg Anderson Fee Private Conservation | Land trusts & nonprofits | 78 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
26 places to go in Ledyard
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Beaches in Ledyard
1 beach without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Public pools in Ledyard
Fox Tower Pool
DirectionsPlaygrounds in Ledyard
7 playgrounds without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Boat launches in Ledyard
Lantern Hill Pond Boat LaunchIn Lantern Hill Pond Boat Launch
DirectionsPlus 3 boat launches without a name on the map.
Peaks in Ledyard
Ayer Hill472 ft elevation
DirectionsChurch Hill394 ft elevation
DirectionsGungywamp Hill354 ft elevation
DirectionsVinegar Hill354 ft elevation · In Great Oak Park
DirectionsAvery Hill315 ft elevation
DirectionsPumpkin Hill315 ft elevation
DirectionsChapman Hill305 ft elevation
DirectionsRose Hill299 ft elevation · In Rose Hill Wildlife Management Area
Directions5 more peaks
Cider Hill295 ft elevation
DirectionsGallup Hill259 ft elevation
DirectionsMaynard Hill256 ft elevation
DirectionsAllyn Mountain203 ft elevation
DirectionsStoddard Hill105 ft elevation · In Stoddard Hill State Park
DirectionsTrails & water
7 named trails and 22 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Unpaved · 11.1 mi
Orange Trail2.3 mi
Blue1.3 mi
Yellow Trail0.7 mi
Lambtown Road Extension0.6 mi
Shewville Kate0.5 mi
Yellow0.3 mi
Green Trail0.2 mi
Lakes & rivers tap for directions
Arrowhead PondreservoirBillings Avery Diversion DamreservoirClark CoveFlat Brook PondlakeHighland LakelakeHorace Main PondLake NovareservoirLantern Hill PondLedyard ReservoirreservoirLong CoveLong PondpondMill CoveMorgan Pond ReservoirreservoirMoulthrop PondNorth LakePoquetanuck CoveSmith PondlakeStoddard CovelakeTribrook PondpondWhitford PondpondBillings Avery BrookThames River
Biking & sports
1.0 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
1.0 mi
off-road bike paths
Courts & fields
13Tennis
5Basketball
5Baseball
1Soccer
1Equestrian
1Softball
1Pickleball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →12 places on the National Register
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 6 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
Main SawmillDistrict · listed 1972
About itNathan Lester HouseBuilding · listed 1972
About itGurdon Bill StoreBuilding · listed 1982
About itApplewood FarmBuilding · listed 1987
About itLamb HomesteadBuilding · listed 1991
About itAvery HomesteadBuilding · listed 1992
About itCapt. Mark Stoddard FarmsteadBuilding · listed 1992
About itCapt. Thomas Fanning FarmsteadBuilding · listed 1992
About itDavid Chapman FarmsteadBuilding · listed 1992
About itGales Ferry Historic District No. 1District · listed 1992
About itShubel Smith HouseBuilding · listed 1996
About itGales Ferry Historic District No. 2District · listed 2002
About itWhen to get out
The best walking months in Ledyard: May to September
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.5 | 10.6 | 11.8 | 13.3 | 14.5 | 15.2 | 14.9 | 13.8 | 12.4 | 11.0 | 9.8 | 9.2 |
| High (°F) | 38 | 40 | 47 | 58 | 68 | 77 | 82 | 81 | 74 | 63 | 53 | 43 |
| Rain (in) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 4.4 |
February is the driest month (3.0 in) and July the warmest (highs of 82 °F). 4.6 inches fall in October, the wettest month. The climate in Ledyard →
Next door
Ledyard and its neighbors
Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Groton80 miNorth Stonington75 miLedyard45 miStonington38 miPreston24 miMontville23 miConning Towers-Nautilus Park2.5 miGales Ferry0.1 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ledyard | 19% | 1.2 | 76 | 85% | A |
| Stonington | 18% | 1.0 | 18 | 58% | A− |
| Preston | 8% | 0.8 | 8 | 32% | B− |
| North Stonington | 23% | 1.4 | 28 | 18% | A− |
| Montville | 12% | 0.5 | 24 | 27% | B+ |
| Groton | 25% | 2.6 | 60 | 82% | A+ |
| Conning Towers-Nautilus Park | — not graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town | ||||
| Gales Ferry | — not graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town | ||||
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Ledyard
Where can I hike in Ledyard?
The longest trail networks: City of Groton Watershed Lands, 4.1 miles; Atkinson Family Preserve, 3.6 miles; Amos Avery Preserve, 2.7 miles; Great Oak Park, 2.6 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Ledyard is conserved land?
19% of its land, against a typical 15% for a Connecticut town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Ledyard’s trails?
City of Groton Watershed Lands and Atkinson Family Preserve don’t have dog rules recorded on the map; check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Ledyard?
1.0 miles of bike routes are on the map: 1.0 of off-road paths.
Is there public land near Ledyard?
10,780 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Ledyard or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 1,173 of them inside the town line.
How much outdoors does Ledyard have?
Ahead of 94% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #14 of 155 in Connecticut. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Ledyard neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →