Putnam Memorial State Park
Fairfield County / Redding, Connecticut
Activity
Historic Outdoor Experience / Revolutionary War
Distance
1 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~90 ft
Route
Interpretive loop
The adventure
Walk through the archaeological remains and reconstructed camp of Connecticut's own Revolutionary War winter encampment. Walk the preserved winter encampment where roughly 3,000 Continental soldiers endured the brutal winter of 1778–79.
Start at the main visitor parking area and walk the historic encampment loop through the ground occupied by Continental soldiers in the winter of 1778–79. Find the surviving firebacks and reconstructed camp structures, reach the 44-foot granite obelisk, locate Putnam's Escape statue and complete the outdoor interpretive circuit to.
What to expect
- Walk the preserved winter encampment where roughly 3,000 Continental soldiers endured the brutal winter of 1778–79.
- Enter Putnam Memorial at the Route 58 and Route 107 intersection and turn immediately into the signed visitor parking lot. Begin near the Visitor Center and follow the park's historic interpretive loop through the former encampment. Use the marked route to visit the firebacks, reconstructed guardhouse and officers' quarters, granite obelisk and Putnam statue, then complete the loop back at the visitor area.
Good to know
- WINTER ENCAMPMENT
- General Israel Putnam's division of the Continental Army wintered here in 1778–79 while protecting routes toward the Hudson Valley and Long Island Sound.
- ARCHAEOLOGY OUTSIDE
- The park is Connecticut's first State Archaeological Preserve, protecting camp remains that survived later development.
- HISTORY EVERYWHERE
- The interpretive route passes chimney remains, reconstructed camp buildings, a 44-foot granite monument and Putnam's Escape statue.
- NO MUSEUM REQUIRED
- The museum is seasonal, but the outdoor encampment and walking trails remain the heart of this Challenge.
- FIND PHILIP'S CAVE
- After the army story, find the glacial rock shelter known as Philip's Cave. The park manages to fit Revolutionary War archaeology and a naturally formed hideout into the same mile.
- Fee
- Free — no required entrance or parking fee.
- Entrance fee
- Connecticut State Parks explicitly lists the park as FREE; museum admission is also listed as free.
- Dogs
- allowed-on-leash.
- Season
- Outdoor walking trails are available year-round during park hours; museum operations are seasonal and winter conditions may affect footing.
Photos