Barkhamsted, Connecticut
Peoples State Forest – Whittemore Grove
A compact designated ski area at Whittemore Grove beside the Farmington River, with short connecting routes and explicit winter parking on East River Road.
- Arrival
- Whittemore Grove, East River Road
- Winter parking
- Marked at the grove entrance
- Route map
- Dedicated cross-country ski loops
- Preparation
- Ungroomed natural snow
Use the dedicated Whittemore Grove ski map. The wider Peoples State Forest also contains steep hiking paths and snowmobile routes, which are different from this river-side ski destination.
Trails & terrain
The dedicated ski map marks yellow cross-country routes between the East River Road entrance and the West Branch Farmington River. A dotted yellow return uses a forest road, while solid yellow lines identify ski trails. Stars divide the route into short segments, mostly about 0.20–0.24 mile, with a shorter river-side connector. These are not ski difficulty colors or a grooming overlay. Connecticut’s winter guidance identifies unprepared trails rather than machine-set tracks.
Current state forest winter-map pathway, regional arrival, hunting and pet rules ↗ · Official January 2008 Whittemore Grove ski map: winter lot, loops, road return and pit toilet ↗ · Current Connecticut winter guidance: ungroomed trails and independent winter travel ↗
Lessons & getting started
The small mapped layout offers shorter route choices without taking on the wider forest network. Locate the entrance and your return connection first, and calculate a complete loop from the segment markings. No difficulty grades are supplied, so assess the actual snow and terrain before committing to a descent. The nearby Jessie Gerard overlook hike and the forest’s snowmobile loops are separate outings, not extensions of an easy ski circuit. No daily ski lessons are established by the reviewed sources.
Official January 2008 Whittemore Grove ski map: winter lot, loops, road return and pit toilet ↗ · Current state forest winter-map pathway, regional arrival, hunting and pet rules ↗ · Current Connecticut winter guidance: ungroomed trails and independent winter travel ↗
Rentals & equipment
Bring skis appropriate for natural, ungroomed snow or arrange equipment before arrival. The reviewed state resources do not establish onsite rentals or a staffed Nordic lodge. The ski map marks a pit toilet near the entrance road; confirm winter availability rather than relying on a general facility symbol. Campground restrooms and other amenities elsewhere in the forest are separate from a Whittemore Grove ski visit.
Current state forest winter-map pathway, regional arrival, hunting and pet rules ↗ · Official January 2008 Whittemore Grove ski map: winter lot, loops, road return and pit toilet ↗ · Current Connecticut winter guidance: ungroomed trails and independent winter travel ↗
Arrival & parking
Use the Whittemore Grove entrance on East River Road in Barkhamsted, between the Pleasant Valley and Riverton approaches shown on the ski map. It marks winter parking immediately inside the entrance. The broader forest page gives Route 20 or Route 318 approaches; its general forest directions are not a substitute for identifying the grove. Follow posted parking and gate instructions and do not assume the gravel entrance or interior forest road is open to vehicles.
Current state forest winter-map pathway, regional arrival, hunting and pet rules ↗ · Official January 2008 Whittemore Grove ski map: winter lot, loops, road return and pit toilet ↗
Passes & trail etiquette
Check current forest advisories, entry arrangements and hunting guidance before visiting; the state identifies hunting as a permitted forest use. Keep dogs leashed where allowed and stay on designated routes. The ski map was drawn in January 2008, so current signs and access notices take priority over old road details. Keep the river-side ski route distinct from river access, ice travel and the wider snowmobile system.
Current state forest winter-map pathway, regional arrival, hunting and pet rules ↗ · Official January 2008 Whittemore Grove ski map: winter lot, loops, road return and pit toilet ↗ · Current Connecticut winter guidance: ungroomed trails and independent winter travel ↗
Official planning resources
Reviewed . Confirm current passes, services and access rules with the operator before travel.
More Nordic destination guides
- Chatfield Hollow State Park Ski TrailsKillingworth, CT
- Gay City State ParkHebron, CT
- James L. Goodwin State Forest Ski TrailsHampton / Chaplin, CT