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National Scenic Trail · Massachusetts and Connecticut

New England National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail in Massachusetts and Connecticut. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Scenic Trail
StateMassachusetts, Connecticut
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkAcadia (259 mi)
Closest airportBDL (26 mi)
Youth gather around a trail head
Youth hike to Farley Ledge Photo: NPS Photo

New England National Scenic Trail is a national scenic trail run by the National Park Service in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In the park service’s words

From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic vistas and close-ups of New England’s natural and cultural landscape: traprock ridges, historic village centers, farmlands, unfragmented forests, quiet streams, steep river valleys and waterfalls.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. As the New England trail crosses private property and state land, many locations along the trail do not permit night hiking or overnight parking. Before going out on a hike, check the hours of local parks for parking and hiking regulations.

Getting there

More than 100 public roads cross the New England Trail, and there are trail head parking areas at or near many of these crossings. Detailed Trail Maps are available from Appalachian Mountain Club and Connecticut Forest & Park Association. For Massachusetts maps, visit the AMC Berkshire Chapter; for Connecticut, visit the CFPA Bookstore. Direct access by bus is available at several points in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Train service is available at two points, in Guilford, CT and Northampton, MA.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Bradley International Airport (BDL) Hartford, CT No road route 26 Large hub
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) Worcester, MA No road route 33 Regional
Laurence G Hanscom Field (BED) Bedford, MA No road route 64 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Springfield Armory NHS: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:30AM - 4:00PM. The park visitor center offers a large museum dedicated to the American Industrial Revolution and the weapons made at Springfield Armory.
  • Connecticut Forest & Park Association: Mon 8:30AM - 1:00PM; Tue 8:30AM - 1:00PM; Wed 8:30AM - 1:00PM; Thu 8:30AM - 1:00PM; Fri 8:30AM - 1:00PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. Visit CFPA staff during Business Hours and come to our office on the second floor. From the parking lot, take the pathway to the left that curves up to our front entrance. If you are visiting for a meeting in CFPA’s Community Room, the entrance is on the ground floor (near the CFPA logo wall).

Weather

Temperatures range from warm, humid summer days to cold New England winter days.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Acadia, about 259 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at New England National Scenic Trail?

No entrance fee.

Where is New England National Scenic Trail?

In Massachusetts, Connecticut. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Bradley International Airport, about 26 miles away.

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