Devil's Hopyard

366 HOPYARD ROAD, EAST HADDAM CT 06423
EAST HADDAM, CT 06423

Attention

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The water at Devil's Hopyard State Park is unsafe for drinking. Please plan to bring your own water when camping or visiting the park.

Devil's Hopyard's principle feature, Chapman Falls, drops more than sixty feet over a series of steps in a Scotland Schist stone formation. The water from the splash pool at the base of the falls, continuing as the Eight Mile River, flows through the park's hemlock-canopied picnic area, providing a tranquil setting for a family outing. Many myths surround the name of the park, including one about a man named Dibble, who grew hops for beer-brewing. Through usage, Dibble's Hopyard supposedly became Devil's Hopyard. Another tale says that the Devil passed by the falls and accidentally wet his tail. Furious, he burned holes in the stones with his hooves as he bounded away. Now, we know that the potholes near the falls, which are some of the finest examples of pothole stone formations in this section of the country, were formed by stones moved downstream by the current, trapped in an eddy where the stone was spun around, wearing a depression in the rock. When the rock wore itself down, another would catch in the same hole and enlarge it. Perfectly cylindrical, the potholes range from inches to several feet in diameter and depth.

The park offers some of the finest birding in the state, and fishermen find the clear, cool stream water an excellent source of brook trout. Additional activities at the park include picnicking, camping, hiking, and mountain biking.

Devil's Hopyard Campground offers 21 campsites, available from mid-April through September 30th. Pedestal cooking grills, picnic shelters, picnic tables, and outhouses are also available.

Camp site features

Across 21 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 21 sites
Picnic table: all 21 sites
Longest RV: 35 ft
Largest party: 6 people

Fees

Non-Peak Primitive Site $10.00 Non-Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00 Non-Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00 Non-Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00 Peak Primitive Site $10-$12 Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00-$24.00 Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00-$21.00 Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00-$23.00

Rules

GENERAL PARK INFORMATION Devil's Hopyard State Park Webpage Gillette Castle State Park Office oversees Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground - 860-526-2336. Additional information can be found at the following links: CT State Parks Friends of Connecticut State Parks General Camping Information Interpretive Programs: Explore the natural and cultural histories of Connecticut State Parks and Forests through interpretation! Interpretive events are listed on the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's website. Take a hike, meet a snake, learn about forest heroes, and more! Additional programs may be offered, so be sure to check with the campground staff and hosts. Find interpretive programs:http://www.depdata.ct.gov/calendar/ CAMPING INFORMATION Camping reservations are accepted 11 months in advance until the day prior to arrival. For campsites, a two-night minimum is required for all advance reservations, except when making a reservation within 3 days of arrival, when making a one-night reservation is allowed. The maximum length of stay is 14 (fourteen) consecutive days. If you have a 14-day reservation, all members of your camping party and your camping equipment must leave the park for 5 days before you can return. Camping Reservation Freeze Policy:Any reservation with a departure date that is more than 11 months from today cannot be changed or cancelled for 18 days after the reservation. PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THIS CAMPGROUND. Check in time for campsites is 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Please ensure that you are setting up on the correct site. Firewood: In an effort to protect Connecticut's forests from the introduction and spread of destructive insect pests - in particular the emerald ash borer and Asian long-horned beetle - we are taking the following action: Prohibiting the bringing of firewood into state of Connecticut campgrounds and state parks from other states. As an alternative, firewood can be either purchased at the camp stores within the state campgrounds or at local retail sellers of firewood, however, please note that there is no camp store or firewood available for sale at Devil's Hopyard State Park. We greatly appreciate the public's assistance in helping to protect the state's natural resources and apologizes for any inconvenience this initiative may cause. The water within Devil's Hopyard State Park is unsafe for drinking - therefore there is no access to running water anywhere within the park or campground areas. Campers and visitors to the park must bring in their own water.

Directions

From CT Route 9: Take Exit 7, turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto CT Route 154 north. Take a right at the first traffic light, and follow the signs. From Interstate 395: Take Exit 80 west. Take a right onto CT Route 82 west. Take a right onto Hopyard Road, and follow the signs. From I-91S: Take Exit 22. Take Route 9S, Exit 10. Take Route 9AS to Tylerville. Take Route 82E over the CT River for about 3 miles. At the stop sign, take a right, and then take an immediate left. Follow that road for approximately 8 miles, then follow the signs to the park.