McLean Game Refuge Hiking Trails

The McLean Game Refuge is a privately owned and privately operated wildlife sanctuary established in 1932 by the will of Senator George P. McLean. Senator McLean wished his refuge to be “a place where some of the things God made may be seen by those who love them as I have loved them and who may find in them the peace of mind and body that I have found.” The Refuge consists of more than 4,400 acres of forests, fields, and streams. The Refuge is open to the public year-round and there is no charge for admission. The Refuge is open from 8:00 am- 8:00 pm in the summer and 8:00 am until sunset during the spring, fall, and winter.

The land of the McLean Game Refuge was shaped by the glaciers of the ice ages. Rounded highlands of ancient crystalline rock, jutting traprock ridges, sandy flats, and kettle ponds where mountains of ice melted, define the geological footprint of the Refuge. Eskers have served as footpaths here for thousands of years. See the link below for information on how they were formed. Two tributaries of the Farmington River, Bissell Brook and Salmon Brook, help define this unique landscape and offer the visitor a variety of terrains to enjoy.

The traprock ridges of the Barndoor Hills and The Knolls create diverse plant colonies and ecosystems adding to the special nature of the Preserve. The paper below goes in depth on formation and ecosystems of the ridges.

Permitted Refuge activities include hiking, jogging, nature study, and photography.

Hunting, fishing, trapping, and camping are not allowed.

! No motorized vehicles of any description are permitted.

! Flowers, shrubs, and trees should not be picked or disturbed.

! Smoking and the building of fires are allowed in the picnic grove only.

! Dogs must be leashed at all times.

! To ensure safety on the trails, bicycles are prohibited.

! Horseback riding is allowed only on yellow-blazed trails; the riding season begins April 15 and ends November 30.