Pleasant Valley
67 Ripley Hill Road, Barkhamsted, CT 06063
Living in Barkhamsted, Connecticut
Barkhamsted is a town in northeastern Litchfield County, largely covered by state forest and the Barkhamsted Reservoir that supplies water to Hartford. It has no single downtown; its two main villages, Pleasant Valley and Riverton, sit along the Farmington River. The town was first incorporated in 1779 and named for Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.
Barkhamsted at a glance
- $430,000Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 24.27 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- 35-40 minDrive to Hartford
- LitchfieldCounty · Northwest Hills Planning Region
Barkhamsted's villages and zip codes
Barkhamsted addresses use either 06063 (Pleasant Valley) or 06065 (Riverton) depending on the section of town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Valley | 06063 | The town center, along Route 318 near the Farmington River; home to Town Hall, the elementary school and the general store. |
| Riverton | 06065 | An unincorporated village in the northwest corner of town, at the confluence of the Still River and the West Branch of the Farmington River. |
Barkhamsted covers about 36.3 square miles and borders New Hartford, Winchester, Hartland, Granby and Canton. It was incorporated in 1779.
Things to do in Barkhamsted, CT
Start with Peoples State Forest and American Legion State Forest, then 2 more below.
Peoples State Forest
A state forest in the Pleasant Valley section with a blue-blazed trail network totaling about 11 miles, along with the Stone Museum of natural history. Trails run along the Farmington River and up to overlooks such as Chaugham Lookout.
Pleasant Valley section, Barkhamsted
American Legion State Forest
A state forest across the Farmington River from Peoples State Forest, with riverside camping and access to the West Branch, a popular fly-fishing river.
Off West River Road, Barkhamsted
Riverton Fair
An agricultural fair held in Riverton the second weekend of October each year, with livestock exhibits, crafts and food.
Riverton
Saville Dam
The dam that impounds the Barkhamsted Reservoir, with a scenic overlook off Route 318 near the East Branch of the Farmington River.
Route 318, Barkhamsted
More worth a visit
- Still River AntiquesAn antiques shop in the Riverton village center.
- Old Riverton InnA historic inn in Riverton dating to the 18th century.
Around the calendar
- OctoberRiverton FairA long-running agricultural fair held the second weekend of October in Riverton.
A little history
Barkhamsted was first incorporated in 1779 and named after Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.
The Barkhamsted Reservoir was created in the early 20th century when the Metropolitan District Commission flooded the valley known as Barkhamsted Hollow to supply water to the Hartford area, and the Saville Dam impounds it.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Barkhamsted
Most of Barkhamsted's land is state forest or reservoir watershed, so hiking, fishing and river access are the town's main draw.
- Peoples State Forest TrailsAbout 11 miles of blue-blazed hiking trails along the Farmington River.
- Farmington RiverThe West Branch below the reservoir is a well-known trout fishing river, with Trout Management Area sections open to fishing.
- West Hill LakeA state-owned lake with a boat launch used for fishing and paddling.
- Lake McDonoughA recreation area with swimming and boating, managed with the Metropolitan District.
Where to eat in Barkhamsted: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Barkhamsted to try, including general store and general store. No one paid to be listed.
Pleasant Valley General Store
General store
A general store and coffee shop in the Pleasant Valley village center.
109 River Rd, Barkhamsted, CT 06063
Riverton General Store
General store
A general store in the Riverton village center.
Riverton, CT 06065
Sweetpea's Restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant in Riverton.
Riverton, CT 06065
Walkability and getting around Barkhamsted
Barkhamsted is rural with no sidewalked downtown. Pleasant Valley and Riverton each have a walkable village cluster of a few businesses, but getting between them or to anything else in town requires a car.
Riverton
Drive times
- Hartford, about 22 miles35-40 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 15 miles25-30 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
There is no fixed-route public bus or rail service in Barkhamsted; residents rely on a car to reach New Hartford, Winsted or Hartford.
Barkhamsted property taxes and home prices
Barkhamsted's 2026–27 mill rate is 24.27, which is $24.27 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $1,699 a year in taxes at 24.27 mills.
What homes in Barkhamsted sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | $430,00021 sales | – |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
Barkhamsted's mill rate for 2026–27
24.27mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of Barkhamsted24.27 mills
- Barkhamsted Fire District (where it applies)+1.55 mills
- Motor vehicles24.27 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2028
How Barkhamsted's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 31.49 |
| 2023–24 | 32.00 |
| 2024–25 | 24.20 |
| 2025–26 | 23.94 |
| 2026–27 | 24.27 |
Barkhamsted's town rate went from 31.49 in 2022–23 to 24.27 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2028.
Look up a Barkhamsted property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkLand records, deeds and vital records
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment: (860) 379-3600
Buying a home in Barkhamsted
What we check on a Barkhamsted purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map, private well & septic and river & reservoir flood zones.
First-time buyer programs in Barkhamsted
CHFA sets Barkhamsted's income and price limits for Litchfield County. We check them with you before you shop.
See CHFA's limits mapCheck the flood zone first
Land along the Farmington River and the Still River, including parts of Pleasant Valley and Riverton, falls within FEMA flood zones; the Barkhamsted Reservoir and West Hill Lake shorelines add additional mapped areas. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BarkhamstedPlan for well and septic, not town utilities
Most homes in Barkhamsted are on private wells and septic systems rather than municipal water or sewer. We recommend a well flow and water quality test and a septic inspection as part of due diligence.
Check the flood map near the Farmington River
Properties near the Farmington River, the Still River, or West Hill Lake may fall in a mapped flood zone, which can affect insurance requirements. We check the flood map before you make an offer.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. CHFA and USDA limits and eligibility are set by those agencies and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Barkhamsted?
Send us a Barkhamsted address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Barkhamsted: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Barkhamsted: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterMostly private wells
- Sewer or septicMostly septic systems; no town sewer system
- Trash and recyclingBarkhamsted does not provide curbside trash pickup. Residents bring household trash to the Regional Refuse Disposal District #1 (RRDD1) transfer station or contract with a private hauler.
Regional Refuse Disposal District #1 (RRDD1) Transfer Station
31 New Hartford Road, Barkhamsted, CT Monday and Wednesday 7:00 AM-3:00 PM, with limited Wednesday evening hours 4:00-7:00 PM on the lower level only; sticker or day pass required
Transfer station detailsTown offices and contacts
Barkhamsted Town Hall is at 67 Ripley Hill Road, Barkhamsted, CT 06063. Main line: (860) 379-8285. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
- Town HallMain line and town website(860) 379-8285
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.(860) 379-8665
- AssessorProperty values and assessments(860) 379-3600
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment(860) 738-4762
- Building & ZoningBuilding permits and zoning compliance(860) 379-1314
- Parks & RecreationTown parks, fields and recreation programs(860) 379-2895
- Public WorksRoads, plowing and town infrastructure(860) 379-1888
- Northwestern Regional School District No. 7Public school district serving Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford and Norfolk
Barkhamsted, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in Barkhamsted, CT?
Barkhamsted's 2026–27 mill rate is 24.27, which is $24.27 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. The motor vehicle rate is 24.27 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in Barkhamsted?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 24.27 mills that's about $8,494 a year, or about $708 a month, before any district tax. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in Barkhamsted, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Barkhamsted was $430,000 across 21 sales.
When is Barkhamsted's next revaluation?
Barkhamsted's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2028, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2029.
What county is Barkhamsted in?
Barkhamsted is in Litchfield County, in the Northwest Hills Planning Region.
What are the zip codes in Barkhamsted?
Barkhamsted uses 06063 (Pleasant Valley) and 06065 (Riverton), depending on the section of town.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Barkhamsted?
No. The town does not run curbside collection. Residents use the Regional Refuse Disposal District #1 transfer station at 31 New Hartford Road or hire a private hauler.
How far is Barkhamsted from Hartford?
Hartford is about 22 miles southeast via Route 44, roughly a 35-40 minute drive.
Is there public transit in Barkhamsted?
No fixed-route bus or rail service reaches Barkhamsted; a car is needed to get around.
What school district serves Barkhamsted?
Northwestern Regional School District No. 7, which also serves Colebrook, New Hartford and Norfolk.
Towns near Barkhamsted
Neighbors of Barkhamsted in Litchfield County and nearby. All Litchfield County towns.
Sources
- Mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, "Mill Rates for FY 2014–2027," data.ct.gov. Revaluation year: OPM, Revaluation Schedule 2023–2037.
- Home sales: "Real Estate Sales 2001–2024 GL," data.ct.gov. Medians use Barkhamsted sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- Wikipedia: Barkhamsted, Connecticut: en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia: Riverton, Connecticut: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Barkhamsted, CT - official website: barkhamsted.us
- Town of Barkhamsted - Departments & Offices: barkhamsted.us
- Regional Refuse Disposal District #1: rrdd1.com
- Northwestern Regional School District No. 7: en.wikipedia.org
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Checked September 25, 2026.