Wilgus State Park is located on the western bank of the Connecticut River in central eastern Weathersfield.

To the west of the road the terrain rises steeply to a promontory called Pinnacle Point, which is accessible via hiking trails.

[2] The park's land was given to the state in 1933 by William J. Wilgus, an engineer best known for his work in the design and construction of New York City's Grand Central Terminal.

The park's early infrastructure was built out by crews of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Depression-era works project, in 1935 and 1936.

Surviving elements of this early work include the contact station, the trails to Pinnacle Point, stone posts for the gates flanking the main entrance, and numerous stone fireplaces located in the campground and picnic area.