Connecticut can be a great place to hike with your dog. Within a short drive your canine adventurer can be climbing hills that leave him panting, trotting on some of the most historic grounds in America, exploring the estates of America's wealthiest families or circling lakes for miles and never lose sight of the water. I have selected what I consider to be the 57 best places to take your dog for an outing in the Nutmeg State and ranked them according to subjective criteria including the variety of hikes available, opportunities for canine swimming and pleasure of the walks. The rankings include a mix of parks that feature long walks and parks that contain short walks. No Dogs Is there any more dispiriting day for a dog owner than driving to a new park and encountering the dreaded No Dogs sign? Doggin' Connecticut tells you the parks that don't welcome dogs. Also packed inside these 144 pages are... ...outifitting your dog for a hike ...dog-friendly campgrounds ...tips on practicing low impact hiking with your dog ...beach rules for dog...and much more. What makes a great place to take your dog hiking? Well, how about a paw-friendly surface to trot on? Grass and sand are a lot more appealing than asphalt and rocks. A variety of hikes is always good - long ones for athletic dogs and short ones for the less adventurous canine. Dogs often enjoy a refreshing place to swim as well. For tail-friendly parks our guides describe the trail options for your dog, evaluate park traffic from other users, tell you whether you will need a guide dog to find your way around and, of course, tell you how to get to the park. While walking the dog, Gelbert also brings along generous helpings of localhistory, botany, geology, architecture and more. So what are you waiting for? Grab that leash and hit the trail