The Nutmeg State is a beautiful place. Anyone who's spent much time here knows there are plenty of natural wonders in Connecticut: the mighty Kent Falls, the collection of the tiny Thimble Islands, the white sands of Ocean Beach Park... the list goes on and on. One underrated natural wonder here is tucked away in a tiny park in Salem, Connecticut. The gorgeous Gardner Lake lies partially within the state park that shares its name. While the lake itself is about 530 acres, Gardner Lake State Park is one of the smallest state parks in Connecticut at only 9.75 acres. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for with scenery. This lake is stunning to look at, provides recreational opportunities, and has a fascinating history to boot.
Gardner Lake is a natural lake that spans about 530 acres, making it one of the largest lakes in the state. There are actually three parks that surround Gardner Lake: Gardner Lake State Park, Minnie Island State Park, and Hopemead State Park.
It's a stunning area. While Gardner Lake State Park is small and doesn't even measure 10 acres, it provides boating, fishing, and swimming access to the south portion of the lake.
The lake features in one of the strangest stories from Nutmeg State history.
In 1894, a grocer wanted to move his two-story home from the lake's south side to the east side. He felt he could save money and time by moving the house, fully furnished, via sleds once the lake froze over. He attempted to do so in February 1895 but lost control of the sleds, and the house drifted into a snowbank. The homeowner was unable to free it, and in the coming months, as the ice thawed, the home sank to the bottom of the lake. The second story poked above the lake's surface for many years, but the house eventually rotted away.
While history may have taught us that it's not a good idea to move a house across it, Gardner Lake is a beautiful place for relaxing, boating, or fishing.
Since the three state parks that surround Gardner Lake are only a few miles apart, you can even paddle from one to the other.
The lake is stocked with walleye each year, and it's also home to bullhead and catfish, so it's an excellent spot to cast a line.
Of course, just relaxing by the water and enjoying a sunset is always a great way to spend a day, too!
For more information about Gardner Lake State Park in Salem, Connecticut, check out the Connecticut government website.
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