Winding Trails
Winding Trails
4.5
About
Winding Trails, Inc. is a non-profit, organization serving people from Farmington and surrounding communities, providing year round recreational and educational activities for the enjoyment and growth of families and individuals of all ages. Winding Trails is dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of the natural woodlands and waterways that allow outdoor programming, character development, and other activities that strengthen the lives of those we serve.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
PickyTraveler4
Sterling, MA94 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We decided to head south for some cross country skiing after learning that Farmington had the jackpot of snowfall for the area with 15 inches of snow 4 days ago. Sadly, there was significant melting and some bare spots on parts of the trails for our day of skiing. We still enjoyed the expansive network of wide trails, mostly through the woods and along some ponds. Could use some more maps hung up on trees when you are out on the trails. This is a day camp for kids in the summer, so several buildings, pavilions, and a large parking lot.
You need to order your passes ahead of time on their website. They have rental skis, pulk sleds for babies, and a kitchen serving lunch. I recommend the chili! Also the option to bring your own lunch.
Overall, a good day of skiing, but wish they had more snow.
You need to order your passes ahead of time on their website. They have rental skis, pulk sleds for babies, and a kitchen serving lunch. I recommend the chili! Also the option to bring your own lunch.
Overall, a good day of skiing, but wish they had more snow.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri S
West Hartford11 contributions
Mar 2021
Our daughter attended Winding Trails for Years. She enjoyed every day being there. Wish she was able to enhance her time by volunteering at the camp.
Written 28 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelgal
Fairfield, CT42 contributions
Feb 2021 • Friends
Had the best day cross country skiing. So beautiful. Groomed. Good rental gear. This place is a gem. I’m so thankful.
Written 12 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey T
Farmington, CT35 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
The greater Hartford area has a few spots for cross country skiing, but this one works well as long as nature provides the snow! The groomed trails include levels appropriate for beginners and experts, although there isn’t a whole lot of expert difficulty trail. In addition, winding trails grooms a skater’s loop around the entire perimeter of the skiing area. So, if you were a skating skier you will find areas groomed to suit your style of skiing. Among the best parts is the fact that they rent gear, so if you have kids who are growing you don’t have to buy new skis every year. Rental fees are reasonable and the quality of the gear is actually quite good. As long as the snow falls up to at least 6 inches, this is one of the best places to ski in central Connecticut. To find a better place you need to go up to Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire in all likelihood.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arnie S
Wallingford, CT353 contributions
Aug 2019
what a beautiful place! The grounds are very clean, the staff we dealt with were very friendly it made for a great picnic for our group, with loads of activities available.
Written 8 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth R
Farmington, CT2,273 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Our latest interaction with this incredible location was twofold. My daughter started a counselor-in-training position at the Winding Trails summer day camp and we frequently go there to utilize the beach, especially during these warm summer days.
There is nothing I don’t like about it. The amenities are varied and comprehensive with so much to do, you couldn’t possibly take advantage of it all. My daughters experience there is beyond wonderful – – the counselors as well as the leader-ship staff are exceptional! Warm, engaging, energetic and committed – – impossible to believe that they could have assembled such a marvelous group of people all in one place, but they did.
The waterfront only continues to improve as well. The newly refurbished boat house serves to house rental sailboats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboard‘s, etc— Having such things available has only added more fun to our Winding Trails experiences. The beach is always meticulously maintained, clean and non-rocky, with clear warm water and on-duty lifeguards for a majority of the day. Adjacent picnic areas complete with grills make gatherings that much more special. Even if you don’t bring your own food, the offerings supplied by the on-site Café are decent, economic, to-go selections to satisfy a multitude of tastes. If you get tired of the sun and the water, there are adjacent trails to walk, basketball courts, tennis courts, fields, playgrounds, on and on and on. Also new to the beach side area are life sized chess and checkerboards— Just a little something that reminds us how special this place is.
Will never get tired of going here, feeling lucky to have it so close
There is nothing I don’t like about it. The amenities are varied and comprehensive with so much to do, you couldn’t possibly take advantage of it all. My daughters experience there is beyond wonderful – – the counselors as well as the leader-ship staff are exceptional! Warm, engaging, energetic and committed – – impossible to believe that they could have assembled such a marvelous group of people all in one place, but they did.
The waterfront only continues to improve as well. The newly refurbished boat house serves to house rental sailboats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboard‘s, etc— Having such things available has only added more fun to our Winding Trails experiences. The beach is always meticulously maintained, clean and non-rocky, with clear warm water and on-duty lifeguards for a majority of the day. Adjacent picnic areas complete with grills make gatherings that much more special. Even if you don’t bring your own food, the offerings supplied by the on-site Café are decent, economic, to-go selections to satisfy a multitude of tastes. If you get tired of the sun and the water, there are adjacent trails to walk, basketball courts, tennis courts, fields, playgrounds, on and on and on. Also new to the beach side area are life sized chess and checkerboards— Just a little something that reminds us how special this place is.
Will never get tired of going here, feeling lucky to have it so close
Written 3 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann P
Farmington, CT26 contributions
Jul 2018
Winding Trails has it all for families! Membership fee is well worth it at this lakeside all-year escape. In the summer enjoy lakeside swimming, canoeing, sailing, camps, mini-triathlons, swimming lessons, grills, picnic areas, volleyball, play fields, etc. It's end of summer "Last Blast" fireworks and family day celebration is a definite blast with some of the best fireworks around! In the winter enjoy skating, sledding and hockey. A great place to celebrate and play with family and friends to create memories to last a lifetime.
Written 10 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joanneverson
Unionville, CT15 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We love swimming in the lake in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter. A beautiful and natural setting for enjoying the outdoors.
Written 24 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth R
Farmington, CT2,273 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Winding trails has been a focus of my families entertainment now going on the 10 years that we've lived here. During the summer, it's Dunning lake has served as our beach with options for swimming, always with lifeguards, docks, boats/canoes/paddle boards/paddle boats for rent and a handy snack shack where you may purchase food in case you decide not to use one of the many barbecue stations they offer to grill the food that you brought. There are acres upon acres of trails to enjoy with tennis courts/basketball courts/children's playgrounds/ fields interspersed throughout the park-like environment. Waldens pond serves to introduce the nature preserving, environment teaching portion of the place with wildlife education being a primary focus. There is Nature's Porch, which houses exhibits and teaching tools to educate the visitor on the natural beauty of the surrounding environs. There are walkways on, and along the waterways to showcase the fish and native wildlife in their natural habitat. Newly "constructed" is a observation field where you can climb a tower and observe the wildlife in their natural states. There is a wonderful summer camp for children and incredible array of classes/lessons hosted by Winding Trails--too many and varied to list!! Fall through spring allows for season appropriate offerings, a huge variety from camping overnight to cross country skiing! The most beautiful part of the place is the incredible group people that run it, and ensure its success.
Can't imagine our lives without it
Can't imagine our lives without it
Written 8 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacy L
9 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
Awesome trails to ride bike or take a nice walk!! Friendly atmosphere!! I take my dog with us and as a dog person we all know how so.e don't feel the need to pick up after them!!
At the Trails it is different!! I've never seen anyone walk away from their responsibilities!! All in all a great place to bring your whole family!!!
Stacy L
At the Trails it is different!! I've never seen anyone walk away from their responsibilities!! All in all a great place to bring your whole family!!!
Stacy L
Written 7 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, I have been on the waiting list for 3 years and still am nearly number 500 on the waiting list. However, several other families I know have gotten in much faster. Is there something more that can be done that others are doing to expedite this process?
Tang M
West Hartford, CT
What’s the cost of a membership
Elizabeth R
Farmington, CT2,273 contributions
$550 per year—If interested, you must submit an application however there is a waiting list.
memalm
Canton, CT1 contribution
Can non members walk/hike in the offseason?
rblakenyc
Farmington, CT14 contributions
I can't swear this is entirely accurate but a pretty good answer is that you must be a guest of (with) a member and the member should pay the guest fee at the gatehouse or at the office just past the gate.
Guest fees are $6.00 per adult and $4.00 per child, 3 to 15 yrs. old. Discount guest pass may be purchased in advance from the Main Office or at the gate, by members only.
The main office is generally open Monday – Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm and closed on usual holidays) and there is a drop box for the fee if they are closed.
However, keep in mind that many of their programs and events are open to the community, including skating and cross country skiing when conditions permit. (Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center has been open for over 35 years. During that time ski days have been as many as 75 to a few as zero. We have averaged 45 days per season for during the past three years.)
See the website for more info: windingtrails org
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Frequently Asked Questions about Winding Trails
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