Hopeville Pond State Park - Griswold, Connecticut

Hopeville Pond State Park is quiet little camping haven in Griswold, Connecticut. The Park sits on Hopeville Pond, a dammed section of the Pachaug River. While there aren't really hiking trails (a few wooded trails around the campground), there are paved park roads to walk, a campground, a beach/fishing area, and sports fields. 

If you are new to Katie Wanders, I take my kids on an "Adventure Day" every Friday and one of our goals has been to visit all the Connecticut State Parks. I was solo on this adventure, off to adventure with two kids and a newly adopted dog, so this was the perfect place to bring the stroller and a scooter, to enjoy a walk through the park and time playing at the beach. The sports fields are also a perfect place for dogs to play fetch and burn off some energy before walking around the park. 

History
The area was once fishing ground for the Mohegan Indians. Stone weirs were historically constructed at angles from the river banks to direct water flow and fish toward the center of the stream where basket traps were set. The property was later developed as a gristmill/sawmill, and a woolen mill eventually to be named "Hope Mill".

The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the state park in the 1930s which included adapting the Avery House for park use and Hopeville Pond was designated as a state park in 1938.

Canoe/Kayak
The pond is a actually a freshwater reservoir which was created when the Pachaug River was dammed. The pond/river is a popular place for canoes and kayaks and some paddle beyond the pond, heading south with a stop to portage around the Pachaug Pond Dam.

Dogs
Allowed in the picnic areas and hiking trails on-leash and they are not allowed on the beach or campground. 

Camping
The state park also offers a campground with 80 sites, a dumping station, boat launch ramp, and concessions. Four canoe/tent sites right on the water, one cabin, and 75 camper/tent sites. The camping season reasons from April through October, 10 electric hook up RV sites and 64 non electric sites. The campground has your standard showers, bathrooms, camp store, and dump station. 2024 campsite prices range from $17 dollars a night for CT residents for no hook ups to $27 a night for hook ups for CT residents (slightly more for non-CT residents), and $50+ a night for the cabin with a three night minimum. Dogs are not allowed at any Connecticut State Park campgrounds. You can make a reservation here.