Exploring Local Parks: Mine Hill Preserve [PHOTOS]

With the weather warming up, my family and I have been trying to get out on the trails as much as we can. There are a lot of great parks in the area with a lot of great walking/hiking trails. So I'm continuing my Exploring Local Parks series with Mine Hill Preserve in Roxbury, CT.

There are some pretty cool photo opportunities at Mine Hill, as well as some nice walking trails. There is some history that goes along with this area and that always makes it extra interesting. I love learning historical facts while enjoying a nice day out with the family.

Mine Hill was a 19th century (1865-1872) iron-making complex. There are three tiers with different structures that have survived all these years. On the bottom tier is a huge furnace that was used to process the iron ore and it's a pretty impressive structure. The roasting ovens are a couple of tiers up. They make for some pretty cool pictures too.

If you are looking to do a little walking, you can head up to the Donkey Trail. This is the same trail they used to bring the iron to the ovens and it's a pretty nice trail.

This park has terrain that is a little rougher than, say, Putnam Park, but it's not a tough walk, by any means. The three adults, five year old, and 2 year old had no problem with the terrain.

There are signs by the structures with historical information. So you can get a little more information about the area. Another note, the parking lot is not huge. So if you want to visit, you might be better going earlier rather than later.

You are allowed to bring dogs to Mine Hill, but please remember there are leash laws. While we were there this weekend, a group of people were hanging out by the roasting ovens the whole time we were there. They had five big dogs with them and were just letting them wander. It doesn't matter if you have a leash on the dog if you are not going to hold the leash.

At one point, I brought our dog down another path so we didn't have to go by the loose dogs, but three of the five dogs noticed our dog and came running at us and barking. I don't know you and I don't know your dogs, keep them on a leash and under control. There are leash laws for a reason.

Mine Hill Preserve is a good place to walk with the family. The trails aren't tough and you get the added value of the historical facts and structures.

For more information you can visit the Roxbury Land Trust website.

Check out my other park posts: Huntington State Park, Putnam Memorial Park, and Tarrywile Park.

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