Deer Lake Camp
Campground
Campground · 2.8 mi from the trail
Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown
Nature Center Trail
- 0.6 mi
- loop
- 40 ft
- climb
- 377 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Apr, Jun–Oct
- best months
Nature Center Trail is a short, easy loop in Connecticut, about 0.6 miles long and rising roughly 40 feet from its low point of 326 feet to a high of 377 feet. The trail is close to Killingworth, about a mile away, and makes a quick stop for anyone exploring the area's network of short hikes. The route is a loop, and the climb is gentle. The steepest stretch comes at about a quarter mile in, with an 8% grade, but the total gain is only 40 feet. The trip takes about half an hour, so it works well as a short outing or a warm-up before heading to other trails nearby. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Meriden run to highs around 70°F in May and 75°F in September, with July the warmest month at about 84°F. Welter Trail and Hird Trail both start about 0.3 miles away, and Wolf Hollow Trail is about 0.7 miles off. Climbers can find Canfield Woods, Book Hill about 0.8 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after 
If it rainsJoe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsDavison Art Center
Gallery
In townUniversity art museum in Middletown, Connecticut
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)
More in MiddletownBest time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct
Best time to visit Nature Center Trail
Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
37° / 19°
10 wet
Feb
39° / 20°
9 wet
Mar
47° / 28°
10 wet
Apr
60° / 38°
11 wet
May
70° / 48°
13 wet
Jun
79° / 57°
12 wet
Jul
84° / 63°
12 wet
Aug
82° / 61°
12 wet
Sep
75° / 54°
11 wet
Oct
64° / 42°
12 wet
Nov
52° / 32°
10 wet
Dec
42° / 24°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Meriden Markham Muni Ap, CT, 17.2 mi away at 103 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Fat Man's Squeeze
~5 min drive
0.09-mile loop with 22 ft gain in Connecticut
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)White Trail
~6 min drive
6.07-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 853 ft gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Chatfield Trail
~5 min drive
Chatfield Trail is a 4.28-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 660 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Cockaponset Trail
~5 min drive
Cockaponset Trail is a 7.01-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 763 ft gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Bailey Trial North
~6 min drive
Short point-to-point woodland trail in Connecticut.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Shepherds Trail
~6 min drive
0.84-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 221 ft gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Bailey Trial South
~7 min drive
A 2-mile point-to-point Connecticut trail perfect for a quick outdoor walk.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Lower Hammonasset Trail
~7 min drive
Easy point-to-point trail through Connecticut coastal wetlands and river habitat.
HIKE
Welter Trail
Next door
A nearly 2-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut.
HIKE
Hird Trail
Next door
Hird Trail is a 0.61-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
