Short walk to 25-foot waterfall
Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown and Middlefield spans a 25-foot waterfall on the Coginchaug River, reachable via a short walk from the Cherry Hill Road parking lot. The easiest route is less than a tenth of a mile across a grass field and down a packed-dirt path to view the cascade from multiple vantage points, including a rocky base area and an observation area with guardrails.
Free · Outdoor · Quiet-friendly
Park at the Cherry Hill Road lot for the quickest access; the walk to the falls is under a fifth of a mile and very easy for young kids.
Wear shoes that can get wet or muddy if you plan to explore the river shore and rocks near the base of the falls.
Rocky ledges at the base are slippery when wet; supervise closely if kids want to get up close to the waterfall.
The area gets crowded on sunny days, especially on weekends; visit on a weekday or cloudy day for a quieter experience.
Bring a picnic and leash for your dog; there's a grassy area perfect for both, though swimming is not allowed.