Harold Parker State Forest

"I just happened to drive by, noticing the small bodies of water on either side of the road. Where I stopped didn't have a lot of parking, but I was lucky to get a spot next to two other vehicles. The area seemed to fit four comfortably. Across from where I parked is a map of the area and in that immediate location seemed to be ongoing construction. The map showed a two mile hike called "the friends loop." I began the trail just past where my vehicle was parked. It's an easy trail that takes you along the edges of Collins Pond and Brackett Pond, beautiful the whole way. When I went it was the day after a heavy rain so some of the trail was soggy and some streams overtook the planks that would help you cross so there's some navigating and leaping along the way. The park seems huge, happy to come again and see the rest."

"If you like the outdoors and like to mountain bike, hike, fish, swim...etc. Harold Parker is the place that has something for everyone. Numerous hiking and biking trails. A number of ponds of different sizes and depths for fishing or swimming. Hunting is permitted in select areas of the park during hunting season. It is a great place to go, whether it's summer, winter, spring or fall!"

"Pretty big park with paved roads (careful fast traffic from people cutting through!) in the middle. I didn't walk the trails, but there are a number of them, some going by ponds with waterlilies and blue herons!"

"Gorgeous state park with plenty of ponds to go around. Lots of fish, turtles and recently this year spotted a beaver at Berry pond. Perch, bass, crappie I think too. Berry pond is stocked with rainbow trout in the spring. We did 3 quick loops the other day. Easy ones around the ponds. The campground is pretty awesome too. We stay there each summer even tho it's only 10mins from home. Big bass in that pond too."