Hikers, walkers, mountain bikers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers will find over nine miles of trails that wind through the woods and meadows at Hop Brook Lake. The park features a beach and swimming area as well as a hand-carry boat launch to explore Hop Brook Lake by canoe, kayak, or rowboat. Visit the wildlife viewing platform along the Wetland Trail (blue blazes), enjoy wildflowers and pollinators on the Spillway Trail (yellow blazes), or look for amphibians and reptiles along the Lakeshore Trail (red blazes).
Hop Brook Lake and Dam were created after the devastating flood of August 20, 1955, and are located in the towns of Naugatuck, Waterbury, and Middlebury. The dam helps reduce downstream flooding along Hop Brook and the Naugatuck River during and after heavy precipitation events. The area is also managed for recreation and the benefit of forest, wildlife, and water resources. The forest consists of a wide variety of trees including white pine, maple, oak, hickory, ash, and dogwood. Wildlife is abundant. Bird watchers may find many species including hawks, turkeys, waterfowl, and songbirds. White-tailed deer, beaver, squirrels, chipmunks, and many other animals also make their home at Hop Brook Lake. To learn more about nature and other subjects, consider participating in the United States Army Corps of Engineers' interpretive programs.
Fishing is allowed at Hop Brook Lake and a CT fishing license is required. The lake and its feeder streams are stocked with brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Bass and panfish are also found in the lake. Tables and grills are available for picnicking.
More information is available on the United States Army Corps of Engineers website including the official trail map.
The recreation area is open on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) and holidays between the weekend before Memorial Day weekend and the weekend after Labor Day. The park is closed to vehicular traffic Monday to Thursday.
The entrance into the park and activities in the park are free of charge. Picnic tables, grills, and unreserved picnic shelters are first come, first served. Picnic shelters (four sites) may be reserved for group use by contacting recreation.gov (Day Use/Venues tab). The beach and swimming area are especially popular during the warm summer months.
Take Exit 17 towards Naugatuck and stay right onto Route 63 S/Straits Turnpike. After 0.8 miles, turn left. The parking lot by the front gate is open for pedestrian access year round. On summer weekends, follow the paved road through the gate to access additional parking lots and amenities.
Take Exit 17 for Route 64 toward Route 63/Middlebury/Watertown. Turn left onto Route 63 S/Straits Turnpike. After 1.3 miles, turn left. The parking lot by the front gate is open for pedestrian access year round. On summer weekends, follow the paved road through the gate to access additional parking lots and amenities.
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