🌤 Weather at Pachaug State Forest by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29–70 °F | 58–84 °F | 34–76 °F | 21–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Norwich Public Utility Plt, 11 mi away, elevation 20 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Pachaug State Forest is a state forest in Connecticut near Voluntown in the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Spanning 26,477 acres and established in 1928, the forest offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Connecticut |
| Nearest City | Voluntown |
| County | Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region |
| Park Size | 26,477 acres |
| Established | 1928 |
Location & Getting There
Pachaug State Forest is located near Voluntown, Connecticut. The park’s coordinates are 41.6013, -71.8858.
Things to Do
Connecticut’s compact state park system packs diverse experiences into a small state — from Long Island Sound beaches and tidal marshes to Appalachian ridgeline trails, glacial lakes, and cascading waterfalls. Activities include swimming at supervised lake and ocean beaches, hiking along the Blue-Blazed Trail system that connects many state parks, fishing in stocked trout streams and coastal waters, camping in forested settings, biking rail-trails and park roads, nature study at wildlife management areas, rock climbing at Ragged Mountain, kayaking coastal estuaries, and exploring historic sites from Revolutionary War battlefields to industrial-era heritage.
Best Time to Visit
Connecticut parks are at their best from May through October. Summer (June–August) brings peak beach season along Long Island Sound and warm lake swimming inland. Spring delivers azalea and mountain laurel blooms (Connecticut’s state flower), plus rushing waterfalls. Fall foliage in Connecticut peaks mid-to-late October and can be spectacular along ridgeline parks like Sleeping Giant and Talcott Mountain. Winter offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and peaceful forest hiking when trails are less crowded. All Connecticut state parks are free for pedestrians year-round; vehicle parking fees ($10–$22 for non-residents) apply at listed parks from April 1 through October 31.
Visitor Tips
Connecticut state parks are free for walk-in visitors year-round. Vehicle parking fees (free for Connecticut-registered vehicles / $10–$22 for out-of-state vehicles) apply at listed parks from April 1 through October 31. Camping is available at select parks — reservations through ReserveAmerica. Connecticut’s compact size means most parks are within a 90-minute drive of any point in the state, making day trips easy. Dogs are allowed on leash but prohibited at swimming areas.
Explore More Connecticut State Parks
Looking for state parks in Connecticut? Discover them in our Best State Parks in Connecticut guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Pachaug State Forest — Connecticut’s largest at 26,477 acres — encompasses a landscape of remarkable ecological diversity. The forest protects the state’s finest rhododendron grove — massive native rhododendrons (Rhododendron maximum) bloom spectacularly each July along the forest streams. These ancient plants can reach 25 feet tall and form dense thickets. Pachaug supports Connecticut’s largest remaining population of timber rattlesnakes — the endangered reptiles den communally on south-facing rocky ledges. Bobcats, black bears, and fishers have been documented. The forest’s remoteness supports dark skies — some of the best stargazing in Connecticut. Great horned owls, barred owls, and eastern screech-owls all breed in the forest.
Nearby Attractions
Green Falls Pond within Pachaug offers secluded swimming and camping in a forest setting. Beach Pond straddles the CT-RI border with swimming and picnicking. Voluntown — settled by Revolutionary War volunteers — retains authentic rural character. Foxwoods Resort Casino (Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) and Mohegan Sun are both within 20 minutes. Pequot Museum and Research Center in Mashantucket is one of the finest Native American museums in North America. Lantern Hill offers panoramic views across southeastern Connecticut from a distinctive quartzite ridge.
More parks nearby: Hopeville Pond State Park is a short drive away, while Moosup Valley State Park Trail lies a short drive away.
⛺ Camping at Pachaug State Forest: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | Pachaug State Forest has three separate campgrounds, each with its own site count and fees (sources conflict slightly on Mount Misery pricing, so total is not summed as a single figure): Green Falls Campground — 18 wooded sites, no hookups, no showers (compost toilets only), $17/night resident, $27/night non-resident plus processing fee. Mount Misery Campground — 22 wooded sites (3 sites, #24/36/37, have limited electricity but are 'not rated for RV use'), no showers/flush toilets (compost toilets), $17/night resident, $27/night non-resident plus processing fee (an older listing cited $14/$24, but the current official page lists $17/$27, matching Green Falls). Frog Hollow Equestrian Campground — 18 semi-wooded sites reserved exclusively for campers with horses, no hookups, compost toilets, $17/night resident, $27/night non-resident, paid on-site. |
|---|---|
| Pets | Up to two pets per campsite allowed at both Green Falls and Mount Misery (leash required, max 7 ft, per Mount Misery listing). Frog Hollow allows pets per site in addition to the required horse(s). |
| Reservations | Green Falls and Mount Misery: Reserve America online or 1-877-668-CAMP, up to 11 months in advance; 2-night minimum for advance bookings (1 night allowed within 3 days of arrival at Mount Misery); max 14 consecutive days with a mandatory 5-day break between stays; check-in 1:00 PM–10:00 PM. Frog Hollow Equestrian Campground: first-come, first-served only, no advance reservations, fee paid on-site. |
| Special sites | Rustic, walk-ins not permitted at Green Falls/Mount Misery (reservation required). Frog Hollow is Pachaug's dedicated equestrian campground (horses required, no rental horses on site). No RV hookups anywhere in the forest; interior gated forest roads are typically closed January 1–March 31. Alcohol prohibited. Mount Misery sits near the Mount Misery Overlook and the Rhododendron Sanctuary; Beachdale Pond (stocked trout) is nearby. |
| Season notes | Green Falls, Mount Misery and Frog Hollow: 2026 season April 10–October 12; 2027 season April 9–October 11. |
Camping questions about Pachaug State Forest
Can you camp at Pachaug State Forest?
Pachaug State Forest has three separate campgrounds, each with its own site count and fees (sources conflict slightly on Mount Misery pricing, so total is not summed as a single figure): Green Falls Campground — 18 wooded sites, no hookups, no showers (compost toilets only), $17/night resident, $27/night non-resident plus processing fee. Mount Misery Campground — 22 wooded sites (3 sites, #24/36/37, have limited electricity but are 'not rated for RV use'), no showers/flush toilets (compost toilets), $17/night resident, $27/night non-resident plus processing fee (an older listing cited $14/$24, but the current official page lists $17/$27, matching Green Falls). Frog Hollow Equestrian Campground — 18 semi-wooded sites reserved exclusively for campers with horses, no hookups, compost toilets, $17/night resident, $27/night non-resident, paid on-site.
How do you reserve a campsite at Pachaug State Forest?
Green Falls and Mount Misery: Reserve America online or 1-877-668-CAMP, up to 11 months in advance; 2-night minimum for advance bookings (1 night allowed within 3 days of arrival at Mount Misery); max 14 consecutive days with a mandatory 5-day break between stays; check-in 1:00 PM–10:00 PM. Frog Hollow Equestrian Campground: first-come, first-served only, no advance reservations, fee paid on-site.
Are pets allowed at the Pachaug State Forest campground?
Up to two pets per campsite allowed at both Green Falls and Mount Misery (leash required, max 7 ft, per Mount Misery listing). Frog Hollow allows pets per site in addition to the required horse(s).
Source: ctparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Pachaug State Forest
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets on a leash are permitted in most Connecticut state parks and forests, but not in buildings, swimming areas or state park campgrounds.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Pets must be leashed and under control at all times; in state forest camping areas the leash may be no longer than 7 feet.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in swimming areas; Sherwood Island and Squantz Pond State Parks ban pets entirely April 15 - September 30.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are banned from all state park campgrounds; they are allowed only in the American Legion, Pachaug and Salt Rock state forest campgrounds, but not on rustic cabin sites.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited year-round at Dinosaur State Park and in the formal gardens and beach at Harkness Memorial State Park.
Are dogs allowed at Pachaug State Forest?
Pets on a leash are permitted in most Connecticut state parks and forests, but not in buildings, swimming areas or state park campgrounds. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via portal.ct.gov. More: Connecticut state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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