Visit the McLean Game Refuge

Since our beginning in 1932, we have welcomed visitors to the McLean Game Refuge to come and passively recreate within our forests and meadows. Senator McLean said he hoped the Game Refuge would be “a place where some of the things God made may be seen by those who love them as I love them and may find in them the peace of mind and body that I have found.” We honor his wishes today by offering over twenty miles of hiking trails and forest roads to accommodate over 45,000 visitations to our forests each year.

In order to maintain the integrity of our conservation work, the Trustees have established rules by which visitors must abide while here at the Game Refuge. These rules are primarily designed to reduce visitors’ impact on the plants and animals that we exist to protect. However, they are also intended to reduce the chance that one visitor’s recreation might negatively affect the recreation of another visitor.

Please respect these rules while visiting and report unauthorized behavior to our Forest Office (860-653-7869). Visitors who cannot follow our rules will be required to leave the Game Refuge.

Rules for Visiting the McLean Game Refuge

When visiting the McLean Game Refuge, please ensure you leave it just as you found it. This sanctuary offers peace and natural beauty to all who visit. By respecting this space, following our rules, and treating it with care, you help preserve its tranquility and protect the plants and animals that call it home. 

Please, take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.

Hours

sunrise to sunset, every day

Open to Public for Passive Recreation

McLean Game Refuge Rules

• No Use of Remote Dog Leashes
• No Walking Any Pets Other Than Dogs
• No Walking dogs on Firetown Trail, Knollside Trail, South Trail, and Spur Trail
• No Use of Motorized Vehicles
• No Use of Drones and other Remote Controlled Aircraft
• No Geocaching and Letterboxing
• No Bicycling
• No Boating
• No Fishing
• No Hiking off Trail
• No Hunting
• No Making fires (outside of picnic grove)
• No Smoking (outside of parking lots)
• No Camping
• No Foraging Mushrooms
• No Picking plants
• No Removal of Historic Artifacts 
• No Use of Metal Detectors 
• No Collecting Firewood
• No Removing Rocks

Dogs at the Game Refuge

• As of June 1, 2022 dogs are no longer permitted on Firetown Trail, Knollside Trail, South Trail, and Spur Trail. Click HERE to read why the Trustees of McLean have made this change to dog-walking.
• Dogs must be leashed at all times without exception
• Remote-controlled leashes are not acceptable alternatives to physical leashes
• Dogs must be under control at all times
• Dog waste must be collected and removed from the Game Refuge

Horse Riding at the Game Refuge

• Horse riding is permitted only on yellow-blazed trails
• Horse riding season extends from April 15 to November 30
• Horse waste must be removed from trails

Groups and Events

• Groups larger than 10 people must check in with the Forest Office before beginning their hike
• All school groups must call ahead to schedule their visit with the Forest Office

Contact our Forest Office via form or at 860-653-7869.

Photography: Red-Headed Woodpecker