COTTON HOLLOW

About Cotton Hollow

Tucked into a wooded corner of Glastonbury, Connecticut, Cotton Hollow Preserve is one of those rare places that feels genuinely undiscovered — even though locals have been slipping away to its banks for generations. At the heart of it all is Roaring Brook, a freshwater stream that winds through a canopy of oak and hemlock, its water running cool and clear even on the muggiest August afternoons. This is swimming at its most elemental: no ropes, no lifeguards, no concession stands. Just moving water, birdsong, and the smell of wet stone and forest.

The Setting and Landscape

The preserve earns its character from layers of history and nature woven tightly together. As you hike in along uneven wooded trails — sturdy shoes are a genuine necessity here, not just a suggestion — you'll begin to notice the remnants of old mill ruins scattered along the brook's edge. These moss-covered stone foundations are quiet reminders that Roaring Brook once powered industry in this valley. Today, the only thing it powers is a sense of peaceful escape. Sunlight filters through the tree canopy and dances off the water's surface, and in fall, the surrounding hillsides ignite with foliage that turns the whole hollow into something out of a painting. Diverse wildlife makes its home here too — keep your eyes open for herons wading in the shallows or warblers darting through the understory.

Swimming in Roaring Brook

The water at Cotton Hollow is the kind of clear you can actually trust. You can watch smooth river stones shift under your feet as you wade in, the current gentle enough for a relaxed swim but present enough to feel alive around you. The brook runs coolest and most inviting from late spring through early autumn — May through September is your sweet spot, when warm air temperatures make the refreshingly cold water feel like exactly what your body needed. This is wading and swimming in a rustic, natural setting, which means water levels and conditions vary with the seasons and rainfall. Come prepared to read the water yourself and use good judgment about depth and current.

Plan Your Visit

Cotton Hollow is an unofficial swimming spot within the preserve, which means there are no facilities on site — no restrooms, no changing areas, no trash cans. Pack everything in and pack everything out. Admission is free, making it an accessible option for families and budget-conscious adventurers alike. The hike in is moderate, with uneven terrain that demands attention underfoot, so leave the flip-flops in the car. Arrive early on summer weekends if you want a quiet stretch of bank to yourself, as word of this place has a way of traveling. The preserve is located near Glastonbury, a charming Connecticut River town about fifteen miles southeast of Hartford, where you'll find plenty of options for a post-swim meal or a scoop of ice cream before the drive home. Whether you're a Connecticut local finally making good on a plan you've postponed for years, or a visitor passing through the Connecticut River Valley, Cotton Hollow delivers exactly what it promises: a genuine, unspoiled encounter with the New England landscape.