Hopeville Pond State Park

One of the beaches at Hopeville Pond State Park.

A former woolen mill pond, Hopeville Pond is a good place to fish, explore or just relax on the beach.

Popular for its beaches and campground, this park was developed around a former woolen mill pond in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Adjacent is the 30,000-acre Pachaug State Forest.

Along more than 35 miles of dirt roads in the park and forest, pine plantations and the bordering Pachaug River offer hikers and cyclists tranquil views. Roads in the state forest are also open to equestrians and winter sports enthusiasts.

Eighty campsites are open daily from mid-April through September.

Fishing is good for trout and largemouth bass, and the park and forest are noted for birdwatching.