hop brook lake

This park has many well marked trails, you can pick up a map at the entrance. I prefer to go off season when the lake is closed to swimming. Not as crowded. The lake frequently closes in the summer months due to bacteria levels so I don't swim there. Great location for cross country ski or snowshoeing. If your kids are into geocacheing, there are several throughout the park, from easy to difficult.

I have been coming to HBL for many years. I last visited 10 years ago when English became a second language. A nice relaxing spot became a loud obnoxious place. Even though this place is 2 miles from my house, I head north to Mt Tom instead. The lake is nice, there are nice trails as well.

This is a lake built by the US Army Corps of Engineers on the Middlebury/Naugatuck town line. There is a large park with a lot of trails and many picnic sites. The central attraction is the lake with the swimming beach. I took my two young children and they loved it. If you are looking to take you kids for a swim, but don't want to travel to the coast, this is a nice option. You can't beat the $4.00 per carload entry fee. There is parking close to the beach. A designated section of the lake has been zoned off for swimming. There is no lifeguard present, and other than bathroom facilities and frequent ice cream trucks visiting, no services provided. The water was warmer than I was expecting. It was slightly cool but warmed up fast when you stayed in. The beach floor is shallow for a good deal out which was great with my young kids. The sand is coarser than the powdery white stuff on the LI Sound, but my kids didnt notice and enjoyed playing in it. I was there on a busy Saturday, although later in the day it was still easy to get a decent parking spot and find our own space on the beach. The ranger told me on the most popular days like July 4th weekend, come first thing in the morning or don't come at all because it gets too crowded- although I didnt experience anything like that. This place satisfied my kids desire to go to the beach but it is so much more convenient and inexpensive.