Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil’s Den Preserve

Why You Should Visit
The Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil's Den Preserve is the Connecticut Chapter's largest contiguous preserve and the largest tract of protected land in densely developed Fairfield County. Its patchwork of woodlands, wetlands, rock ledges and series of north-south ridges and valleys woven with streams and swamps make the Devil’s Den ideal for passive outdoor activity such as hiking and bird watching.  Please check events for organized activities at this preserve.

Download our trail map for more information.

Location
Weston & Redding

Hours
Dawn to dusk

Size
1,756 acres

Conditions
The preserve's 20-mile trail system winds past dramatic rocky crests, outcroppings, and cliffs forming high ledges partly covered with grasses, mosses, and lichens.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Den volunteers help as trail adopters, stewardship and office workers, or trained program guides. For information about volunteering call (203) 226-4991, or e-mail theden@tnc.org.

Please see our “Preserve Visitation Guidelines” page.

Directions
From the south and the Merritt Parkway:

• Take exit 42 and go north on Route 57 for 3.8 miles to the blinking light. 
• Continue straight on Route 53 (be sure not to continue on Route 57, which forks to the left) toward Redding 1.7 miles to the next traffic light, turn left on Godfrey Road.
• Continue for a half-mile, then turn right on Pent Road, which dead-ends at the preserve's main parking area.

From the north and Route 107 in Georgetown:

• Go south on Route 57 for 2.7 miles. 
• Turn left on Godfrey Road and go for a half-mile. 
• Turn left on Pent Road and follow to end in preserve's parking lot.

From I-84 in Danbury:

• Take exit 3 to Route 7 south.
• Follow Route 7 for approximately 10 miles to intersection with Route 107 in Georgetown.
• Take left onto Route 107, then right onto Route 57 heading south, and continue as above.

What to See: Plants
A wide variety of flora and fauna live on the preserve, including more than 500 types of trees and wildflowers, the beautiful pink lady's slipper, cardinal flower, and indian pipe.

What to See: Animals
Devil's Den is home to red fox, bobcat, coyote, eastern copperhead, wood duck, ruffed grouse, pileated woodpecker and more than 140 other bird species.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site  
The Den provides a valuable oasis for species that require interior woodland for successful reproduction. Research has shown that, for a variety of reasons, 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 to a variety 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 a 1,100-acre purchase from the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Devil's Den is the chapter's most frequently visited preserve, hosting more than 40,000 people per year. It is ideally located to provide an enriching and educational outdoor experience for residents of surrounding towns such as Redding, Easton, Westport and Wilton, and nearby metropolitan areas including Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford. The Den is part of the extended 70-mile Saugatuck Valley Trails System, with contiguous forest and watershed lands.