Best National Reserve Stamford Near Me

4worldlovers: Ponds, wetlands and portions of the East branch of the Mianus River.

Outcroppings, as well as the hallmarks of its glacial history. There are ruins of prior structures, such as buildings and mills from its days as a farm, as well as the stone walls endemic to New England. It even includes a dam and bridge, both of which offer stunning views.


Together with adjacent parcels maintained as open space, the combined contiguous area approaches 220 acres. This spacious and abundant habitat supports a variety of woodland inhabitants, many of which need the space as a refuge from human interaction. These include migratory songbirds and waterfowl, as well as year-round residents such as white tailed deer, coyotes, red and grey fox, raccoons, frogs, turtles, salamanders and snakes.

This is one of a few SLCT preserves with trails. Consistent with the SLCT mission of preserving the open space for the benefit of the public and preserving its unique environmental benefits, limited public access is allowed on the trails only (shown in blue on the map) for hiking, photography, horseback riding and scientific research. The use of fire and motorized vehicles, as well as the removal of plants and animals, is prohibited.

4worldlovers: At 1,800 acres, Devil’s Den is TNC’s largest preserve in Connecticut. Here, with your help, TNC has protected a valuable oasis for wildlife and a natural filter for thousands of people who need clean water.


Devil’s Den protects a significant portion of the watershed of the west branch of the Saugatuck River, habitat for many of aquatic species, including uncommon mussel species.

The Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil’s Den Preserve is the Connecticut Chapter’s largest continuous preserve and the largest tract of protected land in densely developed Fairfield County. Its patchwork of woodlands, wetlands and rock ledges and a series of north-south ridges and valleys woven with streams and swamps make the Devil’s Den ideal for low-impact outdoor activities such as hiking and bird watching.

The Den provides a valuable oasis for species that require interior woodland for successful reproduction. Research has shown that such large unfragmented forest areas are vital to the health of a variety of species. Devil’s Den also represents a significant portion of the watershed of the west branch of the Saugatuck River, habitat for many of aquatic species, including several uncommon species of mussel.

Devil’s Den is also of historical significance; archaeological evidence indicates human use of the area, mostly for hunting, as long as 5,000 years ago. The remains of an up-and-down sawmill below Godfrey Pond testify to the importance of the lumbering that dovetailed with charcoal burning. The production of charcoal was an important commercial activity in the 1800s and marks dozens of sites.

The Den was created by the late Katharine Ordway through a series of donations from 1966 through 1968, beginning with an 1,100-acre purchase from the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company.