CT State Parks and Forests Main Page Park Location Off Route 201 Griswold (Directions) Park Contact Information Hopeville Pond State Park 193 Roode Road Jewett City, CT 06351 (860) 376-2920 Camping (Seasonal) (860) 376-0313 {Link to Purchase a State Park Season Pass}   {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} ACCESSIBILITY This park offers: {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Bathrooms {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Parking {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Picnic Tables HOURS: The park is open from sunrise to sunset. The main gate opens the first day of April, and closes on the last day in October. The recreational field area is open all year round. WATER QUALITY: Current information on swimming water quality. PETS: Pets on a leash are permitted in picnic areas and on hiking trails.  Pets are not allowed on the beach or in the campground. STATE PARKS CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: dep.stateparks@ct.gov Telephone: (860) 424-3200 (866) 287-2757 (Toll Free in CT) Fax: (860) 424-4070

{Hopeville Pond} Hopeville Pond State Park Griswold Visitors can fish, swim or camp on the serene shores of Hopeville Pond. The site, which once boasted several successful mill operations, offers a fine mix of quality recreation and local history. Activities Facilities Directions Map History Activities {Biking} Bicycling {Hiking} Hiking {Boating} Boating {Picnicking} Picnicking {Camping} Camping {Pond Fishing} Pond Fishing {Field Sports} Field Sports {Swimming} Swimming Camping Hopeville Pond Campground offers 80 sites in a wooded setting. The camping season begins in mid-April and ends September 30, when the campground gate closes. More Information Facilities Bathrooms, Boat Launch, Picnic Tables Note to Swimmers:  Please read the Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information before entering the park {Hopeville Pond State Park} Hopeville Pond State Park, Griswold Directions Off I-395: Take Exit 86. From the North: Take a left off the exit. From the South: Take a right off the exit. Follow Hopeville Road or the park signs until the (Y) intersection. Proceed to the right. The park entrance is a ½ mile to the right, off Route 201. Fees   Information on Season Passes There is a weekend/holiday admission fee and a campsite fee at Hopeville Pond State Park. The main gate opens on the first day of April, and closes on the last day in October. The recreational field area is open all year round. More Information Map Camping Map (718 K) Hiking Map (369 K) History The Pachaug River was a major fishing ground for the Mohegan Indians. At low water the stone weirs, constructed by the Indians at angles from the river banks, are still visible. These weirs directed water flow as well as eels, shad, and other fish toward the center of the stream where the Indians placed baskets to trap them. Until blocked up by a dam, constructed in 1828 at Greenville, shad passed up the Quinebaug River in great numbers. In pioneer times, the gristmill and sawmill were among the first requisites of a community. In 1711, surveyor Stephen Gates was granted fourteen acres of land within the limits of the present state park for the purpose of constructing mills. He erected a sawmill and cornmill at the natural falls (now underwater) on the Pachaug River for the convenience of the inhabitants. In 1818, Elizah Abel purchased this mill privilege and erected a woolen mill at the site. John Slater later purchased the woolen mill, sawmill, and gristmill; he then built a satinet mill faced with local granite. He named his new mill the Hope Mill. The name Hopeville was derived from this and has remained to the present time. In 1860, the village of Hopeville reached its zenith with the tremendous demands for woolens. At this time, it was owned by Edwin Lanthrop and Company and prospered until 1881 when the mill was destroyed by fire, never to be rebuilt. At the turn of the century, the church and four houses in the community burned. Furthermore, in 1908, the gristmill which had operated from 1711 until that time also went up in flames. The site's suitability for recreational activities was recognized in the 1930's when the Federal Government purchased considerable acreage in Eastern Connecticut. These lands were managed by the Civilian Conservation Corps with evidence of much of the work done by the CCC still visible in the pine plantations, forest roads, and fire control ponds. Most of these federally purchased lands now comprise portions of the nearby Pachaug State Forest. Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include: Greenfalls Recreation Area, Pachaug Forest, Voluntown Location: The Greenfalls area of the Pachaug State Forest can be accessed by taking Route 138 east from exit 85 off I-395. Follow Route 138 east to the Forest entrance. Activities:  Camping, Hiking, Picnicking, Pond Fishing, Swimming Charge: Weekends and holidays, in season {Hopeville Pond Concessions} Hopeville Pond Beach Related Links Connecticut Tourism Information Fishing Information Boating Information {Link to Top of Page}