The Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary is a 600 acre preserve in the watersheds of Four Mile Brook and the Housatonic River. The trails have been developed and upgraded by the Oxford High School Youth Conservation Corps. Tens of thousands of volunteer hours have been invested and additional work is ongoing. Oxford High School’s Youth Conservation Corps is in the process of designing and constructing adaptive trails.
Overall, Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary contains a wide variety of landscapes and vegetation. It has rock outcroppings, cliffs, boulders, and small rocks along with mixed-hardwood forest in the upland - oaks, maples, hickories, birch, poplar, ash, and beech where honeysuckle, witch hazel, mountain laurel, and dogwood provide rich ground cover. Softwoods include pine, spruce, fir, larch, and hemlock. Beavers and muskrat, ring-necked pheasant and grouse have been seen in this sanctuary. As part of the Four Mile Brook watershed, this area provides important functions like flood retention, sediment trapping, water quality improvement and habitat for aquatic wildlife.
Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary contains trails for all abilities. There are beginner biking and hiking trails as well as strenuous areas meant for experienced riders. Sections of the trail network have their own characteristics based largely on their topography and landscape.
The Wolverine Trail is a wide, former road and is a popular, family-friendly trail with some elevation. The trail is named after the Oxford High School mascot, the wolverine. Bikers, please obey the Slow Zone.
Rockhouse West is on the west side of the property and contains Mellow Yellow, On the Rocks, and The Valley trails. Rockhouse West trails are challenging with steep terrain. Where On the Rocks crosses the stream, a cascading waterfall is visible during wet times, especially during the spring and late fall. There is also a scenic overlook on the Overlook Trail. Bikers, please obey the Slow Zone on Mellow Yellow.
Rockhouse East trails are on the eastern half of the property and include Red Line, Lallement, Rolling Coal, and Rollerville, among others. The trails are integrated into the rolling hills of the area and contain many wetland crossings.
The Moose Hill section is at the far east and includes Moose Calf, Bullwinkle, Moose Mama, and Hell's Way. Moose Hill contains the headwaters of Four Mile Brook. This trail offers a large parking area and family friendly trails for kids to mountain bike.
For current trail conditions, closures, and more, visit Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary on Trail Forks.
The Oxford High School Youth Conservation Corps are the primary trail maintainers, with support from Oxford High School and the Town of Oxford. Watch the video to see the Oxford High School Youth Conservation Corps in action.
Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary is located on both sides of Quaker Farms Road/Rt.188, just south of the Oxford High School entrance. There are about 6 parking spots in an off-road parking area on Quaker Farms Road/Rt 188 just south of the High School entrance. Further south is an off-road, gravel parking area with room for 3-4 cars.
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