Welcome to Our Maltby Lakes Recreation Area

These peaceful lakes dotted with tiny islands have long been admired by travelers on busy Route 34. The Regional Water Authority fulfilled the dream of their designer when the Maltby Lakes opened for recreation in 1994. In the 1860’s, Caleb Maltby planned to combine water supply and public recreation at the reservoirs he created for the Fair Haven Water Company. The lakes were named in his honor.

Enjoy hiking and bicycling on shaded trails and fishing in three pristine lakes. Only a few minutes from downtown New Haven, you will find yourself sharing the solitude with deer, wild turkey and a wide variety of other birds and animals.

Please stay within the boundaries of the recreation area at Maltby Lakes. Your safety and the safety of our drinking water are our primary concerns. Please abide by our rules and regulations and encourage others to do the same.

A Guide to the Trails at Maltby Lakes

Here is a brief description of the trails at Maltby Lakes.

Remember: Permit holders receive easy-to-read trail maps with detailed descriptions. As a permit holder, you can also enjoy the convenience of free parking and a system-wide trail guide as well as invitations to guided nature walks, our annual kids fishing derby and other special events which are only open to our permit holders.

Parking Lot Connectors

Connector trails to the parking lot are designated by white arrow shaped blazes with the letters “P L” and lead back to the parking area.

Mark Schaefer Trail

(White Square) 3.0 Miles

This memorial trail encircles most of the Authority’s land surrounding the Maltby Lakes and provides access to all the other trails. It climbs the ridge west of Maltby Lake #3 known as Indian Hill or Chestnut Hill. The power-line clearing provides an excellent view of the New Haven skyline and is abundant with mountain laurel, which blooms in mid-June.

Evergreen Trail

(Red Circle) 0.1 iles

The Evergreen Trail is a short alternate trail located between Maltby Lakes #1 and #2. It circles back to the Mark Schaefer Trail in a shady grove of white pine and spruce trees planted after the 1938 hurricane. In 1900, a 50-year old oak and chestnut grove was located at this trail junction. Then in 1912, an Asian fungus accidentally brought to America killed the chestnuts. In 1938, a hurricane blew down most of the remaining trees. Evergreens were planted to diversify the forest.

Fishing Spur Trails

(Blue Triangles) NO BICYCLING

These short linear trails lead to secluded fishing spots along the three lakes.

Spruce Trail

(Purple Circle) 0.1 Miles

This trail is a shortcut on the western leg of the white-blazed Mark Schaefer Trail. It brings you through a Norway spruce tree stand, avoiding the power lines

Mil Deprey Trail

(Yellow Circle) 0.5 Miles

This trail is named to recognize the conservation work of a long-time member of the Authority’s Representative Policy Board from the Town of Orange. This trail was chosen because of Mil’s special love of geology. The trail passes interesting ledge outcrops of phyllite. Phyllite is a metamorphic rock intermediate between slate and schist. All three rocks are formed by compressing lake bottom mud under thousands of feet of other sediments. Slate has clearly visible layering and schist has crystals visible to the naked eye. Phyllite has neither characteristic but its resistance to erosion is one reason why the land around the Maltby Lakes is so hilly.

Tulip Tree Trail

(Orange Circle) 0.4 miles NO BICYCLING

The Tulip Tree Trail is a short but rugged loop, named for the tall, straight trees common along some of the best soils in the area. The wood of tulip tree, or yellow poplar, is excellent for window frames and trim because the wood has few knots, straight grain, and holds paint well. The trees also seem to attract scarlet tanagers. The tulip tree gets is name from its large, tulip-shaped yellow/orange flowers, often seen only when the wind breaks off limbs, because the trees are so tall.

1904 Trail

(Green Circle) 0.2 Miles

The 1904 Trail is named for the year in which the oldest white pine trees along the west sides of the path were planted. The trees were planted by students of the Yale University School of Forestry, which was started in 1900 to train foresters for the great national forests of the Far West. Chestnut, oak, birch, hickory, and maple were cleared, and the pine planted, to demonstrate the rapid growth rate of the pine.

Lake Fishing at Maltby Lakes

Lake fishing is available at our Maltby Lakes Recreation Area. For more information, please call the Regional Water Authority Recreation Department at 203.401.2654.

Bicycling at Maltby Lakes

Bicycling is available at our Maltby Lakes Recreation Area. For more information, please call the Regional Water Authority Recreation Department at 203.401.2654.