Camps Sequassen & Workcoeman

“A Scout is Honest…”
Camps Sequassen & Workcoeman, New Hartford & Barkhamsted
October 2024

These are connected private scout camps that are not open to the public.

I suppose anyone can hike the many miles of trails at these camps. And I suppose they are very nice hikes. The maps are nice and show a lookout high above West Hill Lake. Heck, there’s even an orienteering quality map for Sequassen.

And sure, as long as you hike when no campers are camping, you’ll totally get away with it. There are several approaches and plenty of parking if you’re comfortable letting the world know you’re hiking in their woods.

I drove to the camps – an adventure in itself – not quite knowing what I was going to do. There’s a huge parking lot right on West Hill Road which is right in the middle of Camp Sequassen.

Too conspicuous.

So I drove, very conspicuously, north towards Camp Workcoeman. I found a parking lot but didn’t like the feeling of knowing I passed several “Private” and “Visitors must check in at HQ” signs. I parked and walked up a hill and decided this was dumb.

The camps must be among the best in the state. Boy and Girl Scout camps are closing left and right, but these two seem to be doing well. Their location is fantastic and they have history and longevity (links below).

Another option is to rogue hike in from the south, from Brodie Park. That would make for a pretty long hike if you plan to go all the way to the northern reaches of Workcoeman. I have a sneaking suspicion that someone someday will read this and make it a point to let me know that I’m welcome to explore here.

Until then… this page will suffice.