Connecticut's Gorgeous State Park Is Heaven For Hikers & Perfect For Leaf Peeping

The observation tower at the top of Mt. Carmel looks like a medieval fortress, or maybe an old abbey. The stone walls rise four stories into the air, and rows of arched windows peer out of the masonry. The tower stands on a massive stone base, which is surrounded on all sides by deciduous woods. You could easily picture this structure looming above the Rhine River in Germany; it even bears a passing resemblance to this beautiful, historic castle overlooking Italy's Lake Como, yet the Mt. Carmel tower is located in Connecticut, just north of New Haven. And when October comes to New England, this tower is the perfect place to observe autumnal foliage.

This region is rich in changing colors, and legions of road trippers will make their pilgrimage to the northeast to watch the forests blaze. Mt. Carmel holds a special place in the pantheon of fall destinations: The surrounding parkland has 32 miles of hiking trails, which vary widely in length and difficulty. The summit of Mt. Carmel is tall enough for a splendid view, but it's only 676 feet above sea level, perfect for a leisurely ascent. This area is also a reasonable two-hour drive or train ride from Manhattan, much closer than harvest season hotspots like Vermont or New Hampshire. New Yorkers can easily pop over for a day trip, get their fill of colorful canopies, and get back in time to catch a Giants game.

Mt. Carmel is the main prominence at the heart of Sleeping Giant State Park. According to legend, the Quinnipiac people believed that Mt. Carmel looked like a colossal human lying supine across the land, hence the name. Geologists believe that the mountain was originally formed from a volcano about 170 million years ago, and it served for many years as a quarry. Sleeping Giant State Park was officially opened in 1933; thanks to the Works Project Administration (WPA), the tower was completed in 1939. Architect Russel T. Baker had the foresight to add restrooms in the first floor and ramps instead of staircases.

Visitors to the tower can look in all directions, and when the haze lifts, they can often see as far as the shores of Long Island, all the way across the sound. The site was designed for civilian enjoyment, but only a couple of years after the tower was opened, its upper reaches served as an important military surveillance point during World War II. Today, anyone is welcome to hike up the gentle slopes; about 35,000 people visit each year during the summer and fall. The park's location in southern New England means a slightly later peak season, so you can visit later in October than, say, Maine. Anticipating peak season is just one of the essential travel hacks for your leaf-peeping fall vacation.

Sleeping Giant is also famous for its mythic basalt cliffs, which emerge from the woods in all seasons and offer additional vantage points. Note that parking here is free for Connecticut drivers, but it's $10 for out-of-staters on weekdays and $15 on weekends. Pets must also be leashed.

Most people will arrive at Sleeping Giant by way of New Haven, a dynamic seaside city of 132,000 residents. New Haven is perhaps most famous as the seat of Yale University campus, which contains the world-renowned Yale Peabody Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, and Yale Repertory Theatre. The downtown area shows an eclectic mix of colonial and modern architecture, along with countless works of public art.

There are other outdoor diversions, as well. Stroll along the well developed waterfront and take in views of sailboats and commercial ships on the water. Come autumn, the weather is perfect for cycling the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, a paved, 56-mile path that starts around New Haven's waterfront and stretches up to the Massachusetts border. Once you've hiked and biked around the area, it'll be time for a legendary New Haven-style pizza, known locally as "apizza." This strip of coastal Connecticut is dotted with hotels, most ranging in price from $100-200 per night.

Many travelers make New Haven (and Sleeping Giant State Park) part of a longer road trip through the state. You can drive along Interstate 95 and stop at scenic towns along the way. You even could explore without a car; the Acela-Amtrak route connects Washington, D.C. to Boston, with stops all through Connecticut, including New Haven. While you're in the area, consider visiting this charming Connecticut city that's perfect for a quiet, coastal New England getaway.