Camp Columbia State Park and State Forest — Class of 1906 Tower
Litchfield Hills / Morris, Connecticut
Activity
Hiking / Historic Tower
Distance
1.4 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~220 ft
Route
Loop
The adventure
Explore an abandoned university field campus and climb the stone tower that still rises above its wooded remains. Hike through Columbia University's former Connecticut field campus and climb the stone Class of 1906 Tower rising above the abandoned grounds.
Start at Camp Columbia's public Route 109 parking area and enter the former university field campus. Follow the marked trail network toward the surviving Class of 1906 stone tower, climb the tower to its observation level, take in the wooded landscape that swallowed most of the old campus, return to the public parking area.
What to expect
- Hike through Columbia University's former Connecticut field campus and climb the stone Class of 1906 Tower rising above the abandoned grounds.
- Use the signed public parking area along Route 109 rather than the resident-only Bantam Lake boat launch. Enter the park at the marked trailhead and follow the mapped park trails toward the tower symbol in the former campus area. Reach the large stone Class of 1906 Tower and use its established stairs to climb to the observation level. Descend the same way, then use the marked trail network to return to the Route 109 parking area.
Good to know
- COLUMBIA IN CONNECTICUT
- Columbia University used this property as a field campus for engineering students for much of the 20th century.
- THE TOWER SURVIVED
- The Class of 1906 stone tower is one of the property's surviving signature structures.
- TRAINING GROUND
- During World War I, students trained here by marching, digging trenches and conducting simulated combat exercises.
- KEEP EXPLORING
- The park has roughly three miles of trails, so the tower can be worked into a longer exploration if you're not ready to leave.
- LOOK FOR THE CAMP THAT VANISHED
- The tower isn't the only thing left. Watch for old foundations and other traces of the Columbia University field campus hiding in the woods.
- Fee
- Free — no required entrance or parking fee.
- Entrance fee
- No required entrance, parking or trail fee is identified for this Route 109 hiking outing.
- Dogs
- allowed-on-leash.
- Season
- Trail access is normally year-round. Winter conditions can affect parking and footing, and high-visibility clothing is important when regulated hunting is occurring in the forest.
Photos
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