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There are all sorts of things to do outdoors in the Farmington Valley but I would have to say tubing down the Farmington River at Satans Kingdom State Recreation Area is at the top of my list. You start off in New Hartford where you are issued a big yellow inner tube. Then you mount your tube and head down the river. At first you will enjoy the scenic, calm relaxing trip. It is a great chance to sit in the sun with your toes in the water and enjoy the view. But then after about 20 minutes you look up and notice that the trip is about to get a little less relaxing and a little more exciting. There are three sets of rapids along the trip down the river. The second set of rapids is by for the wildest. As you shoot down them you just have to cling to your tube and try to stay on it while it dunks, spins, and jerks you around. There are lifeguards at each of the rapids so it is safe to bring kids as long as they are at least 10 years old. More Info
Another fun outdoor activity is hiking up Talcott Mountain. Just get some friends or family together, pack some lunch, and get some exercise. Even though it is called a mountain, you don't have to worry about bringing your rock climbing gear. The trip will definitely get your heart beat going and you may need to stop at a bench for a break halfway up, but Talcott Mountain is no Everest. Once you make it to the top drop your food off at a picnic table and head towards the edge where you are rewarded for your hike. The whole Farmington Valley is at your feet. The view is incredible. You can also check out historic Heublein Tower. From the top of Heublein Tower you can not only see the Farmington Valley but, on a clear day, you can even make out the skyline of Hartford. And also while you are up there, keep an eye out for hang gliders. I have seen people hang gliding from the top of Talcott Mountain several times and it is pretty wild to see those crazy people flying through the air. More Info
One of the most fun things I used to do outdoors in the Farmington Valley was to wait for a nice, wet day, grab a friend with a truck, and go "mudding" on the trails at Nepaug in Canton/New Hartford. Nepaug is a wooded area that is right up against the Farmington River. There are trails all throughout the woods there for people to take their trucks and ATVs four-wheeling or "mudding". Besides the trails there are also fire pits and trash cans for camping, the river is right there for fishing, or you can just go for a couple hours, bring a snack, and enjoy nature. If you don't have a truck or don't want to take your vehicle off road, you can always park in the lot at the entrance and find a nice spot to hang out not too far down the path. More Info
The last place I will mention is the Roaring Brook Nature Center. I actually did some volunteer work there for a few months, so I know the area very well. It's located in Canton and what it is, is a central building, where they have different animal exhibits, surrounded by miles and miles of trails through the woods. Just outside of the main building there is a cage that houses a couple bald eagles and a few different types of owls which the center rescued. There are bird houses all through the trails designed to attract several species of birds, so bring your binoculars and check them out. All the trails are marked and you can pick up a map at the main building so you won't get lost. They also do guided nature walks which are great because the guides know just where to look for all the critters living in the area. You can even plan your child's next birthday party for the Nature Center and the kids will have a blast. More Info
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This page was created by Brandon Groves for CS101