Pachaug State Forest

Even though it rained during our stay, couldn’t be happier with the experience! Found this place through the CT website when looking for camping sites that allowed dogs and so glad we took a chance on it!
The camp site and Green Fall Pond were about a ten minute drive in from any entrance way so it was rather removed from any traffic noises. The roads are a little bumpy, but I was quite immersed in the forestry during the drive in.
Camping sites are first come first serve, but we had no issue finding one and there were still many left– a total of 18 campsites. Each campsite has a picnic table and stone fire pit area and allows for cars to park right on the premise. Supposedly someone comes around either at night or morning to collect the rates of $ 17 for CT residents ad $ 27 for non-​residents. There are 3 pairs of bathrooms throughout and a water pump.
The Green Fall Pond area had a swimming area where the water was very clear and picnicking tables and grills that were packed with families. There was also a boat launching area where many people brought canoes and kayaks and you could go out to a little island in the middle of the pond. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a boat of any kind, but next time! Also saw some people fishing, but don’t know if they had any luck. Then there are hiking trails throughout, ones that go around the pond and ones that extend further. I do wish they had clearer, more-​entailing maps that showed all the trails as well as their distances.
Since this is a state park and that means there’s nature involved, do be aware that there are plenty of bugs and snakes slithering around but nothing dangerous to worry about.

Pachaug State Forest is not that great. It is good for a small picnic. The CT state parks site says a lot can be done in this forest (Boating, Hunting, Backpack Camping, Motorcycling, Camping, Mountain Biking, Cross-​Country Skiing, Picnicking, Freshwater Fishing, Scenic Vista, Hiking, Snowmobiling, Horseback Riding, Horse Camping). Since we don’t do most of these, we limited our trip to a small picnic and the forest didn’t amaze us much.
We visited this place when we visited the Hopeville Pond State Park.