Warning

Water is temporarily unavailable at the Wolf Den campground.  Campers and visitors must provide their own water when visiting the park.  

The State Mosquito Management Program is warning Connecticut residents about the risk of infection by eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) this season. As of late August 2024, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has detected EEE-infected mosquitoes in Canterbury, Ledyard, North Stonington, Sterling and Voluntown. Information on EEE and WNV, mosquito bite prevention, mosquito test results, and human infection updates can be found on the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website at https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito.

Mashamoquet Brook State Park

Pomfret, CT

Steeped in history, legend and lore, Mashamoquet Brook offers hiking, camping, and fishing for the whole family. Named after the Mohegan word for “stream of good fishing”, the park was once the domain of the Mohegan Chief, Uncas. Later, Captain John Sabin built a house here to serve as an outpost and the settlement gradually increased in size. Today’s 1,000+ acre park is the combination of three parks: the original Mashamoquet Brook, Wolf Den, and Saptree Run.     

The park’s most famous feature is the Wolf Den. Legend has it that on a night in 1742, Israel Putnam, later a Major General in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, crept into the den and shot Connecticut’s last documented wolf. The wolf was notorious for preying upon local sheep and livestock and Putnam was heralded for the slaying. The site was added to the National Historic Places in 1985 and a plaque at the entrance of the den recounts the story. Near the Den are two other natural stone formations: the Table Rock, a big flat shelf of rock, and Indian Chair, a wide seat-shaped ledge that looks like — you guessed it — a chair.

The Wolf Den portion of the park has been in the public domain since before State Park and Forest Commission's creation in 1914. The Daughters of the American Revolution had the foresight to purchase the parcel in 1899 and graciously sold the land to the State in 1924 for the original 1899 price. 

Views from the Park
Location

276 Mashamoquet Road
Pomfret, CT 06259

Details

Open Daily
(8:00 a.m. – Sunset)

Contact

Main (860) 928-6121

Skipping rocks with dad at Mashamoquet State Park
Activities

Biking

Boating

Camping

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Mashamoquet Brook State Park has 53 campsites across two separate campgrounds. The Mashamoquet Brook Campground is just a short walk to the river and is the smaller of the two, with fewer sites in a more densely wooded area, providing a little more solitude and privacy (but no running water or showers). The Wolf Den Campground is nearby the swimming pond and comes with the added creature comforts of running water and showers. You can’t lose with either option!

Youth Group Camping is available to qualifying youth organizations. The park has two youth camping areas, a site in the Indian Chair area, and a lean-to shelter in the Averill area. To learn more about reserving a spot or apply for a permit, call our Eastern District Headquarters at (860) 295-9523

MASHAMOQUET BROOK STATE PARK CAMPGROUNDS 

  • 320 Mashamoquet Road (Route 44), Pomfret
  • 2024 season: May 3 – October 14
  • 18 wooded campsites with picnic table, fire ring, and grate
  • Drinking water not available Labor Day to Memorial Day
  • Park office: (860) 928-6121

Campground Maps

Wolf Den Campground 

  • 147 Wolf Den Drive, Pomfret
  • 2023 season: May 24 – September 2
  • 35 open campsites with picnic table, fire ring, and grate

53 RV/TENT SITES

Daily Rate: 

  • $14 resident/$24 non-resident plus processing fee
  • Additional $15 charge for water/electric trailer hookup (site 20 in Wolf Den) 
  • Six-person maximum per site
  • Maximum stay: 14 days

AMENITIES

  • Bathhouses with hot showers, dishwashing, and potable water (Wolf Den only) 
  • Composting toilets (Mashamoquet Brook)
  • Firewood and ice available on site
  • Sports fields 
  • Dumping station (Closed for 2024 season)

RESERVE A CAMPSITE 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Fishing

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Named “Mashamoquet”, the Native American term for "stream of good fishing”, Mashamoquet Brook
lives up to its name. Annually stocked with brook, brown, and rainbow trout, the stream is ideal for novice to expert anglers looking to hook their next catch.

Types of fish: Brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Before heading out, be sure to check the latest conditions and fishing regulations. 

Hiking

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The park’s looping 6.5-mile network of trails, terrain for all types of adventure, and signature rock formations are all big draws. Here, you’ll find everything from kid-friendly paths to more challenging heart-thumping climbs.

Mashamoquet Brook Trail (Blue Blaze) 

  • 4.2-mile loop
  • Level of difficulty: Moderate
  • A meandering path with some uphills and rock scrambles forms a large loop around the park’s hilly topography. The trail passes by the park’s signature rock formations, including Wolf Den, Table Rock, and Indian Chair is around four-miles-long and can be enjoyed by new hikers as well as seasoned ones. To trim some miles from your hike, take a shortcut on the red loop which intersects the trail at many points.

Indian Chair Equestrian Trail 

  • 1.06-mile trail linking to Natchaug State Forest
  • Level of difficulty: Easy 
  • Starting at the Youth Group camping area, this approximately mile-long equestrian trail links to adjoining Natchaug State Forest and its network of trails and passes alongside the Indian Chair rock formation just before leaving the park.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Historic

Nature

Other

Picnicking

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Retreat to the park’s picnic area to have a bite, hang out, and relax after a day of exploring the park. You’ll find picnic tables, grills, and a picnic shelter available for rent.

Built from hemlock timbers harvested at Rocky Glen State Park, the picnic pavilion feels at home in its surroundings. And is the perfect place to picnic when visiting with a bigger group. To rent, please call the park office at (860) 928-6121.

Additional Park Info

Fees

Free
Campsite fees charged separately

Accessibility

Minimal

Pets

Picnic Areas & Trails
On leash 

Campground, Beach, Picnic Shelter
Not permitted