This 70 acre preserve is owned by the Town of Glastonbury and managed in cooperation with the Great Pond Stewardship Committee. Great Pond itself is a 12 acre glacial drawdown pond, experiencing great fluctuations in water level throughout the year. The plants around the pond are specially adapted to survive conditions of total immersion and drought. The trail head begins off Great Pond road and leads to the largest Red Cedar tree in New England with a circumference of 10'. CLICK HERE to view the Great Pond Preserve Trail Map.

CLICK HERE  to download a Self Guided Tree Walk of the Great Pond Preserve recently created by Brendan O’Connor of Boy Scout Troop 540 as his Eagle Scout Project.

Directions 

Route 2 East to Exit 5. Route 2 splits here and Exit 5 is a left hand exit. You will then be on Route 17. Stay on Route 17/Main Street for approximately 5 miles. Great Pond is on your right.

Route 2 West to Exit 10. Take a left onto Manchester Road. Go to stop sign and take a right onto New London Turnpike. At the next light take a left onto Chestnut Hill Road. Follow Chestnut Hill Road until the intersection with Main Street. At that light take a left onto Main Street/Route 17. Stay on Route 17/Main Street for approximately 5 miles. Great Pond is on your right.

Click on the following link to get directions using Google Maps: Great Pond Preserve