WATCH: Sun Sets Over Naugatuck State Forest

Naugatuck State Forest covers nearly 5,000 acres across Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Oxford, Bethany, Hamden, Cheshire, Ansonia and Seymour. The forest was the dream of one man — Harris Whittemore — who bought entire parcels of land hoping to donate them to the state of Connecticut.

According to the State Parks website, Whittemore passed away before he could see his dream come to fruition, but his family continued to acquire land and donated nearly 2,000 acres to the state, in his memory.