Wadsworth Falls
- Height
- 30 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Wadsworth Falls drops about 30 ft on Coginchaug River in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut.
Closures and warnings
CT Parks: swimming and picnicking are prohibited at Big Falls; short scenic viewing visits only. Alcohol ban is in place park-wide. Pets on leash on trails; not permitted on the beach. As of September 29, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 30 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Big Falls drops the Coginchaug River about 30 ft over Hampden basalt; Little Falls on Wadsworth Brook is a separate ~40 ft sandstone cascade. |
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | None |
| Water clarity | Designated freshwater beach/pond swim area in the park (not at the falls). Check seasonal water-quality reports Memorial Day to Labor Day. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Main entrance at 721 Wadsworth Street, Middlefield/Middletown, CT 06457. |
| Parking | Day-use parking at the main park entrance off Wadsworth Street. |
| Fee | Free for CT-registered vehicles; out-of-state $10 weekdays / $15 weekends-holidays; $112 season pass |
| Hours | Open daily 8:00 a.m. to sunset |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Wheelchair access | Parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and all-terrain wheelchairs (advance reservation) available. |
| Managed by | Connecticut DEEP (Wadsworth Falls State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Shade | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Designated swimming and picnic areas elsewhere in the park; swimming and picnicking prohibited at Big Falls. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Wadsworth Falls open?
CT Parks: swimming and picnicking are prohibited at Big Falls; short scenic viewing visits only. Alcohol ban is in place park-wide. Pets on leash on trails; not permitted on the beach. As of September 29, 2026. Hours: Open daily 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
How tall is Wadsworth Falls?
Wadsworth Falls drops about 30 ft.
Can you swim at Wadsworth Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Wadsworth Falls. No current is reported here.
How do you get to Wadsworth Falls?
The road in is paved. Main entrance at 721 Wadsworth Street, Middlefield/Middletown, CT 06457. Parking: Day-use parking at the main park entrance off Wadsworth Street.
Do you need a reservation for Wadsworth Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Wadsworth Falls?
Yes. Free for CT-registered vehicles; out-of-state $10 weekdays / $15 weekends-holidays; $112 season pass.
When is Wadsworth Falls flowing?
Big Falls drops the Coginchaug River about 30 ft over Hampden basalt; Little Falls on Wadsworth Brook is a separate ~40 ft sandstone cascade.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Wadsworth Falls is inside Wadsworth Falls State Park and West Rock Ridge State Park .
Sources
3
- https://ctparks.com/parks/wadsworth-falls-state-park (accessed September 29, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / access.hours, access.fee, access.roadNote / parking, access.amenities / hazardNote, rules.dogs, access.wheelchairAccess, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterType)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadsworth_Falls_State_Park (accessed September 29, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt / flowNote)
- https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Passport-to-the-Parks (accessed September 29, 2026; backs Passport to the Parks)
More: Connecticut waterfalls