Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area

0.73

18 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

User fees are no longer charged to enter the park.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

0.73

Mixed Reviews

Based on 18 reviews

325 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanshowers

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area, describing it as beautiful, peaceful, and very well maintained. Guests highlight it as a great spot for walking, light hiking, picnics, family gatherings, and enjoying the water when the beach is open. Pavilion users on Recreation.gov consistently report excellent experiences hosting events for 20–50 people with supportive park staff."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area

Summer transforms Hop Brook Lake into a hub of waterfront activity, where families flock to the designated swimming area and sun-warmed beach. As the seasons turn, the park reveals different charms—spring and fall hikers enjoy comfortable temperatures and stunning foliage, while winter adventurers strap on cross-country skis or snowshoes to glide through hushed, snow-laden forests. The trails remain open year-round, offering four-season recreation for those who know that every season has its own magic.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

About Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area

Nestled where three Connecticut towns meet, Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area sprawls across 536 acres of pristine woodland and shimmering waterfront. This beloved day-use destination invites visitors to swim from a sandy beach, paddle quiet coves, explore over seven miles of winding trails, and gather at one of four sheltered picnic areas—all without an entrance fee.

Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area is a day-use park focused on day recreation (picnicking, trails, beach/swimming, boating); no overnight camping or lodging is provided.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Hop Brook Lake into a hub of waterfront activity, where families flock to the designated swimming area and sun-warmed beach. As the seasons turn, the park reveals different charms—spring and fall hikers enjoy comfortable temperatures and stunning foliage, while winter adventurers strap on cross-country skis or snowshoes to glide through hushed, snow-laden forests. The trails remain open year-round, offering four-season recreation for those who know that every season has its own magic.

Natural Features and SceneryThe lake itself serves as the park's glittering centerpiece, its waters reflecting the surrounding tapestry of hardwood forests and open meadows. Towering maples, oaks, and hickories share the canopy with graceful birches and ash trees, while stands of white pine and hemlock add evergreen contrast to the changing seasons. Birdwatchers might spot red-tailed hawks circling overhead, great horned owls roosting in the pines, or osprey diving for fish—and on lucky days, even a bald eagle soaring past. The forests shelter an impressive array of mammals, from white-tailed deer browsing at dawn to black bears foraging for berries, while coyotes, foxes, and the elusive bobcat leave tracks along the trails. Smaller residents like beavers engineer their dams along the water's edge, and raccoons, possums, and chattering squirrels provide constant entertainment for observant visitors.

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Recommended CampsitesPopular activities and best locations include exploring Hop Brook Lake by canoe, kayak or rowboat, using the beach and designated swimming area, and hiking the park's over seven miles of trails. Picnic shelters (four with electrical outlets) are recommended for group gatherings and the on-site ball field can be reserved for events.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutDay-use layout with four picnic shelters (electrical outlets, tables, charcoal grills), numerous regular picnic sites, restrooms with flush toilets/sinks/water fountains, beach/swimming area, over seven miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, an on-site reservable ball field, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.

Walk-in AvailabilityRegular picnic sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; picnic shelters and the on-site ball field can be reserved.

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Flush toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area offers water-based recreation, shore-based swimming and beach use, more than seven miles of multi-use trails, picnicking and field sports. The area supports year-round outdoor activities including summer swimming and winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Hiking

Over seven miles of trails wind through woods and meadows for hiking and walking; trails are also used by mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

Fishing

Fishing allowed in the lake and feeder streams; CT DEEP periodically stocks brown, brook and rainbow trout. Largemouth bass, perch and various panfish are also present.

Swimming

Park includes a beach and a designated swimming area for seasonal recreational swimming.

Biking

Mountain biking is supported on the park's trail system.

Boating

Visitors commonly explore the lake by canoe, kayak or rowboat.

Wildlife viewing

Abundant wildlife includes birds (hawks, owls, osprey, turkeys, waterfowl, numerous songbirds and occasional bald eagle) and mammals such as white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, beaver, raccoons, possums and squirrels.

Beach activities

Sand beach area and designated swimming zone provide space for sunbathing and shore-based recreation.

Winter Activities

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the park's trail network.

Water Sports

Canoeing, kayaking, rowing and swimming on Hop Brook Lake.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsWildlife present in the park includes black bears, coyotes, foxes, bobcats and other mammals that may pose encounter risks; water-based activities carry inherent risks (swimming, boating) though specific hazards are not detailed in the source.

Weather at Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Partly cloudy

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 89%

Wind: 8.7 mph

Partly cloudy

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLocated on Hop Brook Lake with a beach and designated swimming area; lake and feeder streams support fishing and non-motorized boating (canoe/kayak/rowboat).

Campground Map

Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area

Driving directionsFrom Bridgeport: take Route 8 N 23.5 miles to Exit 26/CT-63 S in Naugatuck. Head southeast on Main Street and turn onto CT-63 N. Travel approx. 3 miles. The park entrance is on the right side of the road at the intersection of CT-63 and CT-188. From Hartford: take I-84 W 31 miles to the CT-64 exit, Exit 17 (Watertown/Middlebury, Rte. 63). Go straight until you come to the intersection of CT-64 and CT-63. Turn left on CT-63. Travel approx. 1.5 miles. The park entrance is on the left side of the road at the intersection of CT-63 and CT-188. From Danbury: take I-84 E to the CT-63 exit, Exit 17 (Naugatuck/Watertown, Rte. 63). Take a right off the exit ramp. Travel approx. 1.5 miles. The park entrance is on the left side of the road at the intersection of CT-63 and CT-188.

Accessible from Route 8 (Exit 26/CT-63) and from I-84 (CT-64/CT-63 exits); park entrance is at the intersection of CT-63 and CT-188.

Nearby places

Bridgeport (directions reference: take Route 8 N 23.5 miles to Exit 26), Hartford (directions reference: take I-84 W 31 miles to CT-64 exit), Danbury (via I-84 E to CT-63 exit).

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.7

18 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly love Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area, describing it as beautiful, peaceful, and very well maintained. Guests highlight it as a great spot for walking, light hiking, picnics, family gatherings, and enjoying the water when the beach is open. Pavilion users on Recreation.gov consistently report excellent experiences hosting events for 20–50 people with supportive park staff.

Review Summaries

Based on 18 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors praise the park’s natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and scenic views, including of the dam. Many love the easy, well-marked walking paths and hiking trails, clean grounds, and numerous...

Based on 18 reviews

Common Concerns

Very few complaints are mentioned. One reviewer was frustrated that the beach was temporarily closed due to bacteria, which also limited kayak use, and another wished the gates stayed open at least...

Based on 18 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers suggest the pavilions/shelters are excellent for events like graduation parties, baby showers, and large family gatherings of 20–50 people, thanks to the grills, tables, power, and...

Based on 18 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Peaceful and beautiful as always, no matter what time of year ❤” “The pavillion was perfect for our party of about 45- 50 people! Super clean and had everything we needed; tables, grills, plenty of...

Based on 18 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Brookside Shelter (Site 001, Loop Brookside Shelter) is described as a great, secluded site that worked well for roughly 30+ people, and another review calls it peaceful and inviting with 8 picnic...

Based on 18 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Multiple reviewers mention walking their dogs here and describe the trails as easy and pleasant, indicating that the area is dog-friendly. One notes it’s “a great place to walk the dog,” and another...

Based on 18 reviews