Stoddard Hill State Park – Gales Ferry, Connecticut This easy loop trail covers 0.6 miles and takes approximately 18 minutes to complete, making it ideal for a quick outing. The 55-acre park is nestled along 2,000 feet of frontage on the eastern shore of the Thames River, andhighlights include scenic views of the river, a unique glacial rock, and an old cemetery. The park’s high point of 183 feet above sea level can be reached via a trail from the parking area, and the trail leads to the top which was once an Indian lookout during times of conflict. Look for the stone-walled Stoddard family cemetery in the woods 500 feet north (upstream) from the parking area, withgraves dating from late colonial to civil war era that have been restored in recent years. The park features a ramp for car-top boat launching on the five-acre tidal estuary, and access to the water is under the railroad bridge and can get dicey during high tide.