The 700 acre Colebrook River Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project located on the west branch of the Farmington River, Colebrook, Connecticut. The 388 acres of federal land surrounding the lake provide recreational areas, facilities and natural wildlife habitat. There is an excellent and accommodating boat ramp located here, allowing watercraft access to the lake, which is open daily during daylight hours. Approximately 150 000 visitors each year enjoy the recreational areas at Colebrook River Lake.
Both the lake and river are stocked with trout, and the region is popular for fishing. The landscape around the lake is forested with white pine, hemlock, sugar maple, red maple, black cherry, birch, red oak, hickorry, ash, and dogwood trees. Some open areas in the forest have been created and are designed and maintained to provide habitat, nesting sites, and food for wildlife.
The area has cold winters, warm summers, and activities can be enjoyed year round providing you have the appropriate gear for cold weather. This scenic area is particularly beautiful in the autumn when foliage provides vibrant colors. Views from the top of the dam or the water surface are particularly stunning at this time of year.
Nearby Granville State Forest in Massachusetts offers the nearest state run campground. However, there are several Connecticut state parks and destinations a little further away that are worth visiting in the region as well. Check out, Housatonic State Park, Lake Waramaug State Park and Black Rock State Park for more information on destination in the Colebrook River Lake region.
Colebrook River Lake is easily reached from the Winstead area which is associated with the town of Winchester, Connecticut. From the Winstead area, RV travelers can take Route 8/Colebrook River Road north seven miles to Colebrook River Lake’s recreation area, which can be reached by the access road on the right hand side of the road. A sign marked “Boat Ramp” marks the access road. The highway leading up to the recreation area is well paved and the access road and parking lot are also paved. The parking lot has large spots that can accommodate RVs. Services and amenities are available in Winstead and Winchester just a short drive away.
To get to the nearest overnight camping at Granville State Forest in Massachusetts, take route 8 north to Highway 57/W Granville Road and turn right to head east for 6.7 miles then turn right to go south on West Hartland Road. West Hartland Road is unpaved, proceed two miles past the park headquarters to the campground. The total trip from Colebrook River Lake Recreation area to Granville State Forest Campground is about 20 minutes, 13 miles in total. Roads are well paved and maintained and accessible for RVs. The unpaved access road to the campground may be dusty in dry weather, or muddy in wet weather. During the winter area highways may be slick with snow, ice, and freezing rain so use caution, winter tires are recommended in the region during the winter driving season.
Granville State Forest Campground is situated across the state line from Colebrook River Lake, in the state of Massachusetts, less than a 20 minute drive from the Colebrook River Lake, Corps of Engineerings recreational site. The state park has 2436 acres and is a forested, natural, remote, state park, with a 22 site campground, that can accommodate small to moderate sized RVs and trailers. The campground in situated near the Hubbard River which has natural rock formations, waterfalls, pools, and trails along its shores for hiking, cycling and wildlife watching. The hardwood-conifer forest has some open areas as the region was once farmland.
The campground itself is surrounded by pine forest and each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Amenities at the campground include flush toilets, hot showers and a dishwashing station. There are no water or electric hookups at sites, this is a secluded natural wilderness site that nature lovers will enjoy. RV campers should be aware that black bears make their home in the regions forested areas and can be unwelcome visitors to the campground. Keep all perishables and cooking supplies in the food containers provided at the campground, and give these large predators a wide berth.
Firewood can be purchased at the campground, and bringing in firewood is not permitted. Generators are allowed but must be turned off during quiet hours, unless being used to support a medical device. Pets are permitted, but there is a limit of four pets per site, they must be leashed at all times, and a rabies certificate must be shown at check in. Check out the following link for helpful tips on outdoor safety for the nearby New Hampshire region that will be useful to RV campers in this Massachusetts wilderness campground Outdoor Safety.
Colebrook River lake freezes solid enough most winters to accommodate vehicles and ice fishers access to the lake surface. The same species available during the summer are under the ice surface in the winter, and they taste just as good or better! Ice fishers will need a way to cut through the ice. Augers, axes, or ice saws are commonly used tools to create ice fishing holes.
Most ice fishers use shorter poles and may bring portable shelters to keep out of the wind. Dress warm and be sure to have the appropriate fishing license. Ice fishing on rivers should not be attempted, as moving water below the ice creates an unstable ice surface.
Many of the nearby state forest trails that are popular for hiking in the summer, make great cross country ski trails in the winter. State parks do not supply rentals or warming facilities so ensure you bring your own equipment and have appropriate winter gear to stay warm. Cross country skiers tend to dress in layers that can be taken off during activity and donned again at rest stops to prevent becoming chilled. A small portable propane stove to heat up tea or soup is a handy cross country skiing accessory that is available at local cross country skiing and outfitting stores.
The beautiful forested areas provide abundant habitat for a variety of wildlife in the Colebrook River Lake region. Commonly spotted creatures include, white-tailed deer, black bear, beaver, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, mink, muskrat, and fox. A variety of bird species observed in the area include the rarer great blue heron, egrets, eagles, and osprey. Other bird species in the area are turkey and grouse which are popular game birds and snow geese, Canada geese, mallards and wood ducks are abundant during the migration seasons. The off season is an excellent times to do some wildlife observing, as there are less people in the wilderness area to disturb wildlife. However, wildlife watchers and photographers will want to avoid hunting season, when hunting activities disturb local populations and firearm activity can be a safety concern.
Hiking trails in and around the Colebrook River Trail and the nearby state forests make excellent hiking locations. There is an interpretive trail at Colebrook River Lake providing information on the natural features and wildlife in the region as well as the COE project. Be sure to keep an eye out for cyclists and equestrians that use some of the region's longer hiking trails and can be moving more quickly. Bears are common in the area, and many hikers carry bear bells so they do not startle these large predators, and bear spray in case of an unpleasant encounter.
The lake and river contain several natural species including largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, cockerel, catfish, and panfish. The state also stocks the lake and river with a variety of trout species including brown, rainbow, and brook trout. When fishing on the lake up to the old Route 8 bridge you can possess either a Massachusetts or Connecticut fishing license, Connecticut fishing regulations are in affect. Upstream from the bridge you will require a Massachusetts fishing license. The boat ramp provides access to the lake surface for fishing boats.
Colebrook River Lake has a large paved boat ramp which can accommodate a variety of sizes and types of boats. This excellent boat launch provides easy access to the lake surface for motor boats and other watercraft. There is a large well paved parking lot that will accommodate RVs, and boat trailers by the launch. With 70 acres of surface surrounded by forested wilderness area, Colebrook River Lake provides an excellent opportunity for local and visiting boaters to enjoy the water and engage in watersports, sailing, and fishing activities.
