Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills: covered bridges and Kent Falls
The quiet hills of northwest Connecticut: the green at Litchfield, Lake Waramaug, two covered bridges over the Housatonic and the cascades of Kent Falls.
- Distance
- 158 km (98 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 45 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 8
- States
- CT, MA
- Updated
- June 24, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 158 km (98 mi) with 8 stops, from Hartford to Great Barrington. About 1 h 45 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Connecticut, Massachusetts
Route description
Leave Hartford west on US-44 or I-84 and CT-8, then take CT-118 to Litchfield, about 50 minutes. The town green, the white Congregational church and the 18th-century houses along North and South Streets are among the best preserved in New England, and the Tapping Reeve House was the country’s first law school. White Memorial Conservation Center, just west of town, has boardwalks and trails around Bantam Lake.
US-202 and CT-45 lead to Lake Waramaug, where a narrow road loops the shore past farms and old houses. The state park at the west end has a campground and a swimming area; on weekends and holidays out-of-state cars pay a parking fee at Connecticut state parks. From the lake, drive west and down into the Housatonic valley to join US-7 at Bulls Bridge.
Bulls Bridge is a one-lane covered bridge from the 1840s, and a short trail follows the rocky river gorge below it. US-7 then runs north into Kent, a small town of galleries and cafes beside the river, and on to Kent Falls State Park, where a path climbs beside the cascades. Macedonia Brook State Park, just northwest of Kent, has quiet wooded campsites.
North of Kent Falls, US-7 follows the Housatonic through Cornwall Bridge and Housatonic Meadows State Park; turn onto CT-128 at West Cornwall to see the red covered bridge. Continue north on US-7 through Canaan into Massachusetts and Great Barrington, about 40 minutes. The drive is about 160 km. Roads are narrow in places but fine for most RVs; the leaves usually peak in early to mid-October.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Hartford
CT - 251 km
Litchfield
CT - 320 km
Lake Waramaug State Park
NatureNew Preston, CTA small park at the west end of Lake Waramaug, with a swimming area, picnic lawn and campground. A narrow road of about 8 miles loops the lake past farms and old houses.
- 413 km
Bulls Bridge
HistoryKent, CTOne of two covered bridges in Connecticut still open to cars, a one-lane span over the Housatonic with a short trail along the river gorge. The Appalachian Trail passes close by; small parking area.
- 57 km
Kent
CT - 69 km
Kent Falls State Park
NatureKent, CTA series of cascades dropping about 250 feet through the woods beside US-7, with a short, steep trail along the falls from a meadow picnic area. Weekend parking fee for out-of-state cars.
- 714 km
West Cornwall Covered Bridge
HistoryWest Cornwall, CTA red, one-lane covered bridge over the Housatonic from 1864, still carrying traffic on CT-128. Small pull-offs by the river, which is popular with fly fishers and paddlers.
- 843 km
Great Barrington
MA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Hartford → Bulls Bridge · 53 mi · 0 h 56 minOn the way: Litchfield, Lake Waramaug State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Hemlock Hill Camp Resort (15 mi); Silver Hill Campsite (11 mi).
- Day 2: Bulls Bridge → Great Barrington · 46 mi · 0 h 49 minOn the way: Kent, Kent Falls State Park, West Cornwall Covered Bridge.Overnight nearby, for example: Taconic State Park Campground (9 mi); Lone Oak Campsites (14 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills: covered bridges and Kent Falls?
2-day road trip of about 158 km (98 mi) with 8 stops, from Hartford to Great Barrington. About 1 h 45 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills: covered bridges and Kent Falls?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 45 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills: covered bridges and Kent Falls start and end?
It starts in Hartford and ends in Great Barrington.
Which states does Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills: covered bridges and Kent Falls pass through?
Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Where can you camp along Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills: covered bridges and Kent Falls?
OpenStreetMap lists 85 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Hemlock Hill Camp Resort, Lone Oak Campsites and Camp Neipsic.
When is the best time for Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills: covered bridges and Kent Falls?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
