Tobey Falls, Willimantic

The walk to Big Wilson Stream’s Tobey Falls is short—under a quarter mile—making it more a destination than a walk. However, the trail is basically wheelchair accessible—it’s wide and made of crushed gravel—and the destination is the scenic falls, so I’m including it!

There’s a picnic table close to the falls. You can also extend your walk by heading downstream a short distance to where the river widens and slows.

New England Waterfalls describes Tobey Falls as looking like a “horsetail” during high water “as water speeds over and down a polished, smooth, black-colored ledge at a 45-degree-angle.”

When we visited in the fall of 2022, two other parties pulled in after us. Because the trail and parking area did not have a sign, everyone questioned everyone else whether this was, in fact, Tobey Falls. Be confident! The trail starts at the far end of the parking area behind several boulders blocking access for motorized vehicles.

Directions: Tobey Falls is marked on Google maps, which makes it easy to find. From Guilford, take Route 150 north for about nine miles to Elliotsville Road. Continue straight onto Elliotsville Road as Route 150 bears right. You’ll drive over a small bridge and pass Willimantic Road on your left. Drive 1.4 miles and look for Tobey Falls Road on your left. It’s a passable dirt road. At 0.8 miles down Tobey Falls Road, you’ll pass through an open yellow gate. Soon after going over a wooden bridge, you’ll see the parking area on your right. It was unsigned in the fall of 2022.