Pachaug State Forest

Route 49

Voluntown, CT 06610

(860) 376-4075

Park Hours:

Forest Recreation Areas: 8:00 a.m. - Sunset; Other Forest Areas: one-half hour before sunrise - one-half hour after sunset

Park Admission:

Parking fee at the Green Falls Area (weekends): in-state $7; out-of-state $10

Directions:

Chapman Area

From the South: Take I-395 north to exit 85. Go through the first light, then 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 to 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.

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 I-395. Follow Route 138 east, 8.3 miles to the forest entrance. Turn south on Forest Road.

Pauchaug State Forest

Pachaug State Forest

Pachaug State Forest is the largest State Forest in Connecticut encompassing 24,000 acres in five towns. There are two areas within the forest - the Chapman Area and the Green Falls Area. Both sections provide miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and even motorcycling, which is restricted to summertime use of a 52-mile loop circling the forest. Horses are welcomed along the trails, and the Frog Hollow Horse Camp offers 18 wooded sites around an open field for overnight stays. For those without horses, the Mount Misery campground has 22 wooded rustic sites while the Green Falls campground offers 18 wooded sites, all available on a first come, first serve basis. Backpackers can take advantage of four Adirondack-style shelters throughout the forest, and youth group camping is available. Ponds, rivers and streams throughout the forest afford excellent fishing, swimming and boating opportunities. In the winter, ice skating and ice fishing are fun activities at these locales, while snowmobiling, cross country skiing and dog sledding, which is rapidly gaining in popularity, all provide additional winter fun . One of the most unique attractions is a 26-acre rhododendron sanctuary, designated a Natural Area Preserve by the state. Here, wild rhododendrons bloom with the best viewing times between late June and early July.

Activities

• Boating
• Camping (Backpack, General, Horse, Youth Group)
• Cross Country Skiing
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Hunting
• Letterboxing
• Mountain Biking
• Picnicking
• Scenic Vistas
• Snowmobiling
• Swimming