Hollenbeck Preserve

Hollenbeck Preserve © Alden Warner

Why You Should Visit
The site provides habitat for several rare plant and animal species, as well as a significant part of the Hollenbeck River's watershed. This river runs through Robbins Swamp, one of the most important conservation areas in the state, and eventually feeds the Housatonic River. The Hollenbeck Preserve also provides habitat for some of Connecticut's declining grassland bird species.

Location
Falls Village

Hours
Dawn to dusk

Size
182 acres

Conditions
A flat—but often wet—trail through the fields leads directly to the Hollenbeck River.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see our “Preserve Visitation Guidelines” page.

Directions
From Eastern or Western Connecticut:

  • Take Interstate 84 to Route 8 north in Waterbury.
  • Proceed north to exit 44 in Torrington for Route 4 west.
  • Drive 6.4 miles on Route 4 to Route 63 in Goshen. Turn right (north) on 63.
  • Drive north on Route 63 for 11.3 miles to intersection with Route 7 in South Canaan. 
  • Turn left (south) on Route 7.
  • Drive 0.5 mile and turn right onto Page Road. The preserve is 0.1 mile on the right.

From the Northwest/Lakeville area:

  • Take Route 112 east to Route 7.
  • Go left onto Route 7 north.
  • Turn left onto Page Road.
  • The preserve is 0.1 mile on the right.

From the South/New Milford area:

  • Take Route 7 north, check odometer at intersection with Route 112 in Salisbury.
  • Drive 2.5 miles and turn left onto Page Road.
  • The preserve is 0.1 mile on the right.

What to See: Plants
The property contains a swamp wooded with a mix of red maple, black ash, white pine and hemlock trees to the north and west and open fields to the south and east. Look for wildflowers in the spring.

What to See: Animals
In the summer, look for grassland birds such as bobolink and meadowlarks in the fields near the trail.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site  
The chapter purchased this scenic and biologically rich property in 1995 in a bargain sale.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Conservancy maintains the preserve’s fields, providing habitat for grassland birds.