Ticks

This is a great resource on tick prevention from the University of Rhode Island Tick Smart Program.

Hunting

Spring turkey hunting season is April 24—May 25 in the designated hunting area of Trout Brook Valley. Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Please see our seasonal hunting information HERE.

Dogs

Dogs must be leashed and under owner's control at all times. Please read our dog rules.

Snake Alert

A copperhead snake was seen in the vicinity on 9/9/20. Click here for more information about how to protect yourself, your kids and your dogs.

Black Bear Alert

Black bears have recently been seen in the 1,009-acre Trout Brook Valley Preserve in Easton and Weston. Click here for helpful hints if you see a bear. Information has also been posted at trail heads and entrances. Be Bear Aware.

Hiking Trails

You are welcome to walk all of our trailed nature preserves. They are open dawn to dusk. Maps can be found on our website where you can print them. A few of our preserves have hard copy maps available at trail heads which you can take to guide you on your hike. These are: Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area located in Easton and Weston, Stonebridge Waterfowl Preserve in Weston, and the Leonard Schine Preserve in Westport (home to the Natural Playground). On all other preserves a trail map is posted at the trail head. Just take a picture of it and use it to guide your hike.

Please note that the 1,009-acre Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area is comprised of 3 distinct and connected preserves: Crow Hill to the South, Trout Brook Valley in the middle, and Jump Hill to the north.

Land Trust member/supporters receive our 4-Town map of all of the trailed preserves and their parking areas in the four towns we serve. In general, parking is available near the entrance either in the Land Trust parking area or on the road side and parking is indicated on all preserve maps.

Where appropriate, trails are marked with trail blazes and location numbers so you can find your way. Please stay on the trails. No plant removal.

No smoking, camping, fires, littering, drones, motorized vehicles, or alcoholic beverages. Keep it natural for nature.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is allowed from May 1 - December 31 on indicated trails (see trail map) in the Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area. We maintain trails for all levels and some are very technical and challenging. Bikers yield to hikers. We work with the New England Mountain Biking Association CT Chapter to maintain and improve our trails for the mountain biking community.

Horseback Riding

Riding of horses is allowed in the Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area on indicated trails (see trail map).