Grey Towers National Historic Site

Recreational Activities

There are a variety of activities available at Grey Towers including:

• House and Garden Tours - Guided tours are conducted daily from Memorial Day weekend through early November. Tours are offered on the hour from 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. The fee for tours is Adults- $6, Seniors - $5, Youth 12-17 - $3, Under 12 - free. The grounds are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The guided tour takes the visitor through three rooms of the first floor of the mansion and surrounding gardens. A typical tour takes about 45 to 60 minutes.

• Trail of Time - Take a walk through time to learn about the Pinchot land, lives and legacy. An easy, less-than-1/2-mile stroll from the Gate House to the amphitheater will introduce you to the story of Grey Towers and the Pinchot family, from the time they arrived in Milford in 1818 to 1963, when the family donated the estate to the public. Be sure to stop in at the tent along the way to experience how the students from the Yale School of Forestry lived while attending summer school at Grey Towers (1901-1926). Pick up a trail guide at the Grey Towers gift shop. This enjoyable hike takes about 15 minutes.

• Forestry Trail - Be prepared to "practice" forestry along this well-groomed loop through the woods. You'll find activity boxes along the way with a variety of interactive projects that demonstrate forestry principles and practices and help stimulate an understanding of the forest ecosystem. Great for families or small groups. The trail begins above the parking lot. This trail is less than 1 mile and can take 30 minutes or 3 hours depending on the number of activities in which the hiker participates.

• Bluebird Trail - Visit our nestbox trail to catch a glimpse of these colorful birds and other feathered friends. Learn what Grey Towers and others are doing to help reestablish this threatened species. Spring and summer offer the best opportunity; just take a walk along the deer fence around the perimeter of the estate. (approximately 1/4 mile)

• Hike with Smokey - Kids! Check out a Smokey backpack for a fun way to learn about Smokey Bear and forest fires. The backpack is filled with things to do and you even get things to take home. Take it anywhere on the grounds. To check out a pack, visit the Grey Towers Tower shop.

• Tree Trail - You can wander, walk, saunter, run, skip or hop through the field along the estate driveway and learn about some of the trees of Grey Towers. Tree ID signs reveal the names and most popular uses of these trees.

• Tower Shop - Stop by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Sales Outlet to purchase a variety of books, post cards, and related conservation items.

USDA Forest Service - Grey Towers National Historic Site
Last Modified: Friday, 20 June 2008 at 16:43:36 EDT