BURNHAM BROOK PRESERVE - Route 82 to Woodbridge Road to Dolbia Hill Road in the North Plain section of East Haddam

The Burnham Brook Preserve is owned by the Nature Conservancy and consists of more than 1,000 acres of wild woodland. The preserve is located off Dolbia Hill Road just south of Devil's Hopyard State Park. In addition to the watersheds of Burnham and Strong brooks, the preserve protects about one mile of the Eightmile River and includes permanent springs, wooded vernal pools, red maple swamps, a flood plain meadow and ledges and rocky outcrops. The Nature Conservancy maintains the preserve as a natural area specifically for scientific research. Visitors are welcome to walk the visitor's trail, which is blazed with blue markers.

CHAPMAN'S POND NATURE PRESERVE - Route 82 to River Road, East Haddam

The preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy and the East Haddam Land trust, Inc., covers 600 acres. It includes upland forest, brooks, a tidal pool, flood plain forests, marshes and abundant wildlife. It is best reached by canoe, but trailheads on River Road lead to marked trails of moderate to steep terrain.

CONNECTICUT RIVER BOAT LAUNCH - Route 149, East Haddam

This state site located off Route 149 is an excellent place to launch a powerboat, small sailboat or canoe. With a panoramic view of the junction of the Salmon and Connecticut Rivers, it is a lovely spot for relaxed river viewing or fishing.

DEVIL'S HOPYARD STATE PARK - Route 82 to Mount Parnassas/Millington Road to Hopyard Road, East Haddam - (860) 873-8566

Bisected by the Eight Mile River, the park features trout fishing, picnic areas, 15 miles of hiking trails and a 22-site campground. The Connecticut Ornithological Association lists the Hopyard as one of the 10 best birding sites in Connecticut. A main feature of the park, spectacular Chapman Falls drops 60 feet in three main cascades. According to the Eastern Waterfall Guide it is one of the Top 10 falls in Connecticut. The potholes at the base of the falls are said to be the hoof prints left by the devil as he hopped from ledge to ledge to keep dry.

For more about the Park facilities visit www.dep.state.ct.us/stateparks.

EAGLE VIEWING - along the Connecticut River, Town Office parking lot Eagle Viewing Site near Riverhouse, overlooking the North side of the East Haddam Swing bridge

Migrating bald eagles congregate and winter along the Connecticut River and feed primarily on fish. Eagles remain in Connecticut as long as the food supply is abundant and the water remains free of ice, generally December through mid-March. Eagles are often observed perched in large trees or gliding in the wind currents that flow near the highlands and over the bridge.

EIGHTMILE RIVER - see Burnham Brook Preserve and Devil's Hopyard State Park

GILLETTE CASTLE STATE PARK - 67 River Road, Hadlyme section of East Haddam- (860) 526-2336

The grounds of the Castle are almost as interesting as the Castle itself. William Gillette had three miles of narrow gauge railroad, which are now hiking trails and include river views, tressels and tunnels. The railroad station "Grand Central" has been restored and the Friends of Gillette Castle are working on fundraising to restore one of Gillette's trains for display at the park. Stone walls, a goldfish pond, scenic overlooks and wooded areas with picnic facilities are just some of the other highlights of the park. Admission to the grounds is free. (See also "Gillette Castle" in the attractions section.)

LEESVILLE DAM FISHWAY - Route 151 to Powerhouse Road in the Moodus section of East Haddam

Salmon were eliminated from the Salmon River in 1763 when a dam blocked their migration. Now state and federal governments have built a fish ladder to facilitate their upstream progress and return to the river. Beautiful scenery, fish and wildlife abound. The salmon run can be observed in May, but salmon fishing is prohibited.

MACHIMOODUS STATE PARK

Formerly called Echo Farms, now a state park, Machimoodus has trails that follow old roads and pathways in a scenic area with great views of the Salmon and Moodus Rivers, cliffs, old quarries and swamps. Its a great location for bird watching, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

MOODUS NOISES

Today, the mysterious noises are more folklore than reality. Apparently located in an area of East Haddam which includes Cave Hill and Mount Tom, where the Salmon and Moodus Rivers come together, legend tells of loud and sometimes violent ground quakes. The early inhabitants of the area, the people of the Pequot, Mohegan and Narragansett tribes believed the rumblings were brought on by the god Hobomoko. They called the area Machimoodus meaning, "the place of bad noises." Many other legends and tales have been passed along to describe the reoccurring noises including chemical explosions beneath the earth, the pressure from a giant pearl which blocked an underground cavern, and pearls in the mussels in the Salmon and Connecticut Rivers. Modern instruments and geophysical research have attributed the Moodus Noises to shallow "micro earthquakes."

RESERVOIR AND LAKES: MOODUS RESERVOIR, LAKE HAYWARD, AND BASHAN LAKE

These fresh water lakes are wonderful for canoeing, boating and fishing. The reservoir is one of the best largemouth bass lakes in the state and also has pickerel and crappie. Bashan is noted for smallmouth bass and trout. Both areas have state boat launches and offer restful water outings. Lake Hayward has large mouth bass, yellow perch and trout. All areas have state boat launches and offer restful water outings.

Further information on East Haddam's natural beauty can be found on CT Parks and CT Nature websites.