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Griswold, CT

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Hopeville Pond State Park

3.6 (18 reviews)

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Hiking on the Nehantic Trail
Katherine P.

We did not camp here, this review is mainly for the day use area. We were here to do some hiking for the DEEP Sky's The Limit Challenge, which involved some hiking on the Nehantic Trail. So we had a nice hike on the northern end of the park, and then came back to the park for a picnic at one of the many picnic tables in the area. Something that was really frustrating, and keeps me from writing a better review is that staff locked the doors to the bathrooms really early, about 2 hours before the park was scheduled to close. They locked them, and saw me standing there, and could easily have gotten out of their truck to unlock them for a moment, but they just kept driving on. I get that it is after the busy season, but this seemed a little on the jerky side to me. So overall this is a nice little park with a lake, a little beach area and some nice picnic tables, but be warned!

We didn't camp here but used the boat launch which we found easy to find and paved which was great! The water today required us to really scrub the residue off the boats which I have now learned is pond algae. You have to park your vehicle in the visitor area which is a nice walk although not very private for the campers that are located along the way.

Brian S.

A river walk Hopeville Pond State Park is a beautiful woody area that is located right on the Pachaug River. People have been using this river for a long time and a huge mill was constructed on it years ago and before than the Mohegan Tribe camped on it and took advantage of the bountiful resources. Today it's a campground and park for people that want to appreciate the beauty of the woods and river. Lots to do here, the campground has 80 sites and the river offers swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. There is also plenty of land to bike, horseback ride, hike or just walk among the trees and rocks. The roads and paths are well marked but it is easy to get lost if you get to adventurous and go off into the deep woods. The park has running water, relatively clean bathrooms and is quiet and peaceful. Even during the busiest summers months the people camping here are friendly, polite and you seldom see some the the debauchery apparent at other campgrounds. A cool park for people that want somewhere peaceful to camp, just go for a walk, or take advantage of the many activities that the river offers. People have been coming to this area for centuries and I suspect will continue to do so in the future.

This was canoe site #4 the morning of our last day before departure

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3 years ago

A peaceful local park with a great place to swim and relax and even enjoy a picnic lunch

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Review Highlights - Hopeville Pond State Park

“In most of the camping I have done, people respect your camp area, and do not enter it.”

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Yantic Falls

Yantic Falls

4.4(14 reviews)
10.1 mi

Was staying the weekend at Mohegan Sun and was looking for something to get away from the casino's…read moresensory overload. Found this gem that is only a 10 minute drive from the casino. Do not put "Yantic Falls" into your GPS, most likely you'll be routed to a residential street (Monroe?) on the other side of the Falls with no parking. Type in "210 Yantic Street" and you'll find a little parking area. We went first thing in the morning - 6:30am - and it was perfect. Outside of a gentleman sitting on the hood of his car sipping Dunkin Donuts coffee, we had the entire place to ourselves. Walk right up to the edge of the falls and take in the relaxing sounds of the falling water. If you're a little adventurous, walk back to the parking area and hike down about 40 feet to stand/sit on the rocks and get a straight-on view of the falls. Don't forget to walk up to the footbridge! Read the placard containing the history of the falls (I won't spoil it for you here) and walk across the bridge for a higher, aerial view. Also, check out the railroad bridge (not sure if it's an active railroad) for some artsy fartsy photos. Overall, we spent about 30-45 minutes here and it was a wonderful, peaceful break from our stay at the casino.

Passing through and wanted to take a quick break. This location was a great little spot to have a…read morequick snack and relax next to the roaring water sounds from the falls!

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Yantic Falls - 3.11.2024

3.11.2024

Yantic Falls
Yantic Falls - Picnic and parking área

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Picnic and parking área

Moosup Valley State Park Trail - Very charming and well maintained path at the beginning.

Moosup Valley State Park Trail

4.0(2 reviews)
7.6 mi

I hope someday that CT will get enough money to be able to upgrade some of its parks…read more We came here as part of their Sky's the Limit Challenge, and it was a really interesting experience. On paper, this trail goes 5.8 miles from Moosup to the RI border, where it joins the RI Trestle Trail. It starts out at a nice, beautifully framed railroad bridge in Moosup, and then heads off, as a nicely paved path. Then, at Barber Hill Road, about 3/4 of a mile in, the paved part stops. It gets kind of fire road like for a while, and, well, it gets GNARLY. We were there in winter, and there was a lot of frozen and semi frozen water on the path. I am guessing it might stay that way year round (wet at least) because there are plenty of desire trails along the sides at times, allowing you to bypass the wettest parts. Eventually, it starts undulating, and this is because a lot of dirt bikers seem to like to use this trail, in opposition to what the regulations say the trail is meant to be used for. One dirt biker politely made his way past us, so they at least have some etiquette, even though they're doing some erosion damage to the trail. We didn't hike the full path, and I'm really glad we didn't try to take our bikes on this, as it would have been impossible. Like I said, maybe someday there will be money to turn this into a real rail trail all the way east. Until then, make sure you wear good hiking boots!

This trail runs along side moosup river. There are a couple waterfalls that can be viewed. Sections…read moreof trail are paved this is a small section behind Rogers Corp. On River Rd. Trail runs into Rhode island.

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Moosup Valley State Park Trail - Watch out for dirt bikes, who can (and did) drive their bikes over this bridge.

Watch out for dirt bikes, who can (and did) drive their bikes over this bridge.

Moosup Valley State Park Trail - And eventually, the trail becomes rather .... in need of maintenance.

And eventually, the trail becomes rather .... in need of maintenance.

Moosup Valley State Park Trail - Nice view from a bridge just off the trail

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Nice view from a bridge just off the trail

Long Pond Nature Area - Long Pond

Long Pond Nature Area

4.9(9 reviews)
11.0 mi

So if you've ever seen the Wes Anderson movie "Moonrise Kingdom" - and you've hiked this trail to…read moreLong Pond - you'll recognize the scenery around the pond from the top of a massive glacial boulder. Regardless of its Hollywood connections (and my hats off to the camera crew and actors for getting up there!), this is quite the hiking area, though not for the faint-hearted. It does involve a bit of clambering up and down boulders, so be sure to bring a stout set of hiking boots or shoes ... and I'd recommend long pants to deal with the rocks and branches as you're more than likely to be finding yourself scooching down them on your butt at some points. (Yours truly wore only cross-trainers and boy did I regret it: I could not get any traction to summit that huge glacial formation and had to settle vicariously for the distant oohs and ahhs of wonderment from my wife and daughter). We started at the North Road trailhead for the main Narragansett Trail which is marked by yellow blazes but be aware (or beware?) that the turn-off to this spectacular view of the pond - while marked by a big red arrow on a rock - is an unmarked trail, so be sure to take mental pictures of the turns and forks so you don't get lost on the way back. But it sure is worth making this deviation! The main trial can be quite the hike and the opposite direction will take you into Connecticut if you so wish. There is supposed to be another unmarked trail opposite the one going to Long Pond which will take you to Ell Pond, but we weren't able to find the entrance to that trail from the main one - we're guessing probably because it's less traveled and maintained. In addition to Long pond, we were impressed by the large amount of rhododendrons in the forest - we promised ourselves to visit in the spring when they'd be blossoming as that must be a sight to see. This Narragansett Trail area is definitely worth repeat visits! Please note that there are no privys or running water at the trailhead - and parking areas are sparse.

The Long Pond-Ell Pond Nature Area is a spectacular location to stretch your legs and take in some…read morefantastic views of rural Rhode Island. As an avid hiker in the White Mountains of New Hampshire... it was wonderful to find beauty in one's own backyard. It was a crisp Saturday afternoon that I found myself driving down a dirt road in Hopkinton to the Long Pond trailhead. The drive down North Road (aka Old Rockville Road) itself was even enjoyable. The narrow dirt road meandered through branches, heavy with yellowed leaves until the obvious intersection of a couple of cars with several pull offs. There is room for 2 cars at this trailhead, with a pull off for another 2 just before the small parking area. The trail is well-marked with yellow blazes on the trees. Be mindful of who is participating in this hike... it isn't quite simply a leisurely walk in the woods. There are many rock scrambles, some elevation gain, and quite a bit of maneuvering to go to and fro. As you head down the trail from the parking area I mentioned, you reach a crossroads of sorts. If you turn left you hike a short ways until you reach a very large rock formation. At the top is wonderful outlook onto Long Pond. It is a great place to lunch. If you turn right you head toward views of Ell Pond (I didn't go this way on my trip). If you head "straight" which is actually kind of towards the right as well you descend into a forested valley and towards other adventures in the area. The hike to this crossroads is quite manageable and a quick trip. The beauty of this area is that you can make your hike as long or as short as you'd like. It is not a loop so you can decide to turn back at any point and be quite aware of how far and long it will take you. Great in any season I am sure... Fall was perfect. Wish I had gone when there was a bit more foliage to look at but stunning none-the-less. Quiet, serene, a joy to visit. I will most certainly visit this area again and traverse more of its trails. Be sure to wear your blaze orange during hunting season, September to February generally. I'm not sure how much hunting is allowed in this area but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

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Long Pond Nature Area - Perfect lunch spot with a view!

Perfect lunch spot with a view!

Long Pond Nature Area
Long Pond Nature Area - Long Pond

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Long Pond

Hopeville Pond State Park - parks - Updated October 2026

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