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Connecticut
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Connecticut State Parks

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USA Parks
Connecticut
Mystic Country Region
Pachaug State Forest
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Pachaug State Forest Swan Family © June L. Mita
Pachaug State Forest has a wonderful marsh area near the beginning of the park. This family of swans were swimming across the marsh, away from me unfortunately.
Pachaug State Forest Mt. Misery © June L. Mita
The highest point in Patchaug State Forest is Mount Misery. We did not realize there was a way up to the top which commands a nice view of the surrounding area. This way up was absolutely impassable unless you had some mountain climbing gear, which we didnt.
Pachaug State Forest Hummingbird Moth and Water Hyacinth © June L. Mita
A hummingbird moth drinks nectar from a water hyacinth. This particular spot was near the entrance in a small marsh area with a bridge that spanned the marsh.
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PACHAUG STATE FOREST
PACHAUG STATE FOREST
Pachaug State Forest is the largest State Forest in Connecticut encompassing 24,000 acres, in 5 towns. There are two areas, the Chapman Area and the Green Falls Area.
History of the Area
Pachaug State Forest began with a land purchase in Voluntown, in 1928. At present, Pachaug covers about 24,000 acres in six towns, and is the largest forest in the State system. The word "Pachaug" is derived from the Indian term meaning bend or turn in the river. The Pachaug River, running from Beach Pond to the Quinebaug River, runs through the center of the forest.

Indians of the Narragansett, Pequot, and Mohegan tribes in habited this area in great number. During the last half of the seventeenth century, the Narragansetts and Pequots were defeated by the combined force of the Colonists and the Mohegans, when in 1700, a six mile square tract was granted to the Indian War Veterans. Eventually, the central portion of this land grant became "Volunteer's Town," incorporated as Voluntown in 1721.

Old cellar holes and miles of stone fence winding through the woods give evidence that the entire forest was once farmed or pastured. Abundant water encouraged the establishment of a mill industry as early as 1711. Nearly every brook has several old mill sites and dams. Homestead farming and small industry succumbed to advancing modern technology; the forest reclaims its land.
Passes
Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under the Passport to the Parks program, parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. You can view the CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS web page to learn more.
Camping
1. Green Falls Campground: This is a primitive campground located in the Voluntown area of Pachaug State Forest, offering 18 campsites for tents only.

2. Mt Misery Campground: Located near Chapman Pond, this campsite offers basic amenities like picnic tables and fire pits at each site with toilets nearby.

3. Horse Camping Area: There are two horse camping areas available within the forest - Frog Hollow Horse Camp and Laurel Leaf Crown Equestrian Center which offer facilities specifically designed to accommodate horses along with regular camping provisions.

4. Hopeville Pond State Park Campgrounds: Although not directly inside Pachaug state forest but it's very close by & provides more than 80 sites suitable for both tenting or RVs up to 35 feet long.

5. Backpacking Sites: For those who prefer backpacking there are several remote backcountry sites scattered throughout the park that can be accessed via hiking trails such as Nehantic Trail, Narragansett trail etc.

6. Dispersed Camping: In some parts of pachaung dispersed camping i.e setting up anywhere you find appropriate might also be allowed . However one should always check local regulations before doing so.
Nearby Accommodations
businesss listing main photo
Friendship Valley Inn - Brooklyn, CT
BBs / Inns
A Bed Breakfast in the Quiet Corner of Northeast Connecticut on Route 169, a National Scenic Byway.
12.9 miles from park*
Nearby Vacation Rentals
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Trails
1. Nehantic Trail: A 14-mile trail that offers a moderate hike through diverse landscapes, including hardwood forests and wetlands.

2. Pachaug-Narragansett Trail: This is an approximately 15 miles long hiking route with several scenic overlooks offering views of the surrounding forested areas.

3. Quinebaug River Water Trails: These are water-based trails for canoeing or kayaking along the river within the state forest boundaries; not suitable for traditional hikers but great for aquatic adventurers.

4. Green Fall Pond Area Loop: An easy to moderate loop around Green Fall Pond covering about six miles in total distance, featuring beautiful lake views and opportunities to spot wildlife such as deer and birds.

5. Mount Misery Overlook Hike: It's a short yet steep climb leading up to panoramic vistas from atop Mt.Misery - one of Connecticut's highest points inside Pachaug State Forest.

6. The Rhododendron Sanctuary Trail: Approximately half mile walk which leads you into dense groves of rhododendrons - best visited during late June when they bloom profusely creating spectacular scenery.

7. Hell Hollow Road & Flat Rock Rd Loop: Roughly four-miles-long moderately trafficked loop trail located near Voluntown known primarily used by bird watchers due its rich avian diversity.

8. Peg Mill Brook Wildlife Management Area Trails: Located on southern edge this area has multiple unmarked paths winding through mixed deciduous-coniferous woods ideal place if seeking solitude amidst nature.

9. Chapman Falls at Devil's Hopyard State Park: Although technically outside park boundary it can be accessed via blue:blazed Narraganset-Pachaung connector path providing view stunning waterfall cascading down series steps totaling sixty feet drop.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
June 11 by Susan Goulet
park review stars; one to five People need to slow down when their driving Thru the park!! Driving wwayyy to fast
November 24 Awesome! A+++ by Nathan Testerman
park review stars; one to five The campsite is amazing, quiet, peaceful, and spacious. My buddy and I went up in mid October and we had a great time. Huge fire pit in everysite, pretty good off-roading, and hiking trails were everywhere! I am going back the week of thanksgiving as well. This place is great!
November 7 Place in my novel by Old Nutmegger
park review stars; one to five If anyone has pics of Green Falls please upload them to this site, the setting of my novel is in Pachaug St. Forest and Sterling. Thanks!
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Area Campgrounds
Sunfox Campground LLC
15 Kenyon Road
Lisbon, CT
860-376-1081
Sun Outdoors Mystic
45 Campground Road
Stonington, CT
860-536-4044
Odetah Camping Resort
38 Bozrah St Ext
Bozrah, CT
860-889-4144
Stateline Camping Resort
1639 Hartford Turnpike
East Killingly, CT
860-774-3016
Countryside Campground
75 Cook Hill Road
Griswold, CT
860-376-0029
Deer Haven Campground LLC
65 Preston Allen Road
Lisbon, CT
860-376-1081
Ross Hill Park
170 Ross Hill Road
Lisbon, CT
860-376-9606
Mystic KOA
#118 Route 49
North Stonington, CT
860-599-5101
Campers World of Connecticut
28 Nowakowski Road
Griswold, CT
860-376-2340
River Bend Campground
41 Pond Street
Oneco, CT
860-564-3440
Hidden Acres Family Campground
47 River Road
Preston, CT
860-887-9633
Strawberry Park Resort Campground
42 Pierce Road
Preston, CT
Highland Campground
42 Toleration Road
Scotland, CT
860-423-5684

Directions
To the Chapman Area:

From the South: take I-395 north, Exit 85. Go through the 1st light at the next stop light. Take a right onto Route 138 east. Follow for 9 miles to Voluntown then take a left onto Route 49 north. Forest entrance will be 1 mile ahead on the left.

From the North: take I-395 south, Exit 85. At the end of the exit ramp, take a left onto Route 138 east. Follow for 9 miles then take a left onto Route 49 north. Forest entrance will be 1 mile on the left.

To the Green Falls Area:

The Green Falls Area of the Pachaug State Forest can be accessed by taking Route 138 east from exit 85 off of Route 395. Follow Route 138 east, 8.3 miles to the forest entrance.

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