Featuring fantastic lakeside recreation and plenty of room for relaxation, Hop Brook Lake is a great choice for RV travelers in Connecticut. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1965, Hop Brook Lake is spread over three communities (Naugatuck, Middlebury and Waterbury) within New Haven County, Connecticut and was constructed to help reduce flood danger in the area.
The major drawcard to visitors of Hop Brook Lake is to escape the suburban life and get outdoors. If you love to swim you will be happy to know that there is a designated sandy beach and swimming area you can enjoy that is known for its calm waters. The lake is also a great place to go boating, fishing and catch some of the local birds having a drink or a swim in the water. Recreation isn't just limited to the lake thanks to the 536 acres of land that you can explore by picnicking, hiking, mountain biking or birding on it.
Due to the location of the lake in suburban Connecticut there is no campground available for you to stay at, however only nine miles away there are 61 RV-friendly sites at Kettletown State Park. Hop Brook Lake is open from mid May until mid September.
Getting to and from Hop Brook Lake is relatively easy thanks to it being located in south-western Connecticut. The lake is accessible from either the south-east or the north-west thanks to Straits Turnpike. The main entrance is located off Whittmore road and will take you southbound down to the lake.
Since you will be located near many towns and cities you will have no problems stopping near the lake for any supplies or amenities that you could need to enjoy your stay. Middlebury is less than three miles away, Naugatuck is around three and a half miles away and Waterbury is four miles away.
You shouldn't have any problems navigating the roads around the lake as they are all paved and well maintained. Although there are no RV facilities at the park all of the trees are looked after and there shouldn't be any obstacles that will be a cause for alarm. During the winter months the lake and recreation area are closed so you will not be able to visit during this time.
There is plenty of parking available for you to use to the north of the lake.
While there are no camping facilities available within Hop Brook Lake there is a great campground that you can use at the nearby Kettletown State Park.
The campground offers spectacular views of the lake at the park and many of the sites are shaded. All of the sites (besides one ADA accessible site) are primitive so you will be camping without electric, water and sewer hookups. Other amenities within the campground include water collection points, restrooms and a dump station. Pets are also allowed and you should be able to get phone reception on all of the major networks.
One major thing to note about camping at Kettletown State Park is the sites are quite small and can only accommodate trailers and RVs up to 28 feet long. If your rig is too big, or if you are looking for one to take to the campground, check out RVs available near the park. Make sure that you reserve a campground before you arrive so that you guarantee a place for you to spend the night.
Hikers rejoice! There are over seven miles of trails available for you to explore at Hop Brook Lake. If you aren't a keen hiker than you can also you the trails many other activities, including mountain biking and then during the winter time you can also go cross country skiing and snow shoeing. If you decide to go hiking remember to go with a buddy so that help can be reached if anything goes wrong.
Looking to catch the big one? If that is the case you must cast out a line during your visit to Hop Brook Lake. The lake is known for its diversity in fish species thanks to the streams that feed into the lake. Some of the species caught regularly include largemouth bass, perch, panfish, brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Remember to bring your own fishing gear to the lake as none is available for you to rent.
Thanks to the combination of lake and forest there is some great wildlife viewing to be had during your visit. The forest surrounding the lake is quite diverse and features maple, oak, hickory, ash, birch, white pine and hemlock trees. Bird watchers will also be happy to know that they may be able to spot species such as hawks, owls, osprey, turkeys, waterfowl, numerous songbirds and the occasional bald eagle. You may also get to see animals including white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and beavers.
You can catch buses from the neighboring towns and cities to the lake if you do not have an RV. For further details check out the bus schedule online.
Hop Brook Lake has some of the best picnicking amenities in the area and you really should make the most out of them. There are scattered picnic tables throughout the park, along with four picnic shelters that contain electrical outlets, picnic tables, and charcoal grills. If you are looking to have some more fun there is also an on-site ball field, volleyball courts, and horseshoe pits that you are able to use free of charge.
Exploring the clear waters of Hop Brook Lake via watercraft is a very popular activity and one that we recommend you do. While no motorized boats are allowed taking out a canoe, kayak or rowboat is allowed and will be a lot of fun. If you don't have you own watercraft you will have to rent one before you get to the lake as there is no concession stand there for you to do so.
If you love to swim remember to pack your swim trunks in the RV because swimming is allowed in the lake. There is a sandy beach that you can use to sun bathe and relax on and here is where you will find the designated swimming area. Before you go and jump in, please note that there are no lifeguards on duty at the lake, so remember to swim to your ability. We also recommend that you check the water quality report before getting.
