Green Fall Pond

Green Fall Pond

Connecticut State Forest and Blue Blaze Trail

200 acres in Voluntown, CT

Parking: Large lot near Green Fall Pond Rd, Voluntown, CT

Trail Map       Trails: 7 miles          Rating: ★★★☆☆

Green Fall Pond is one of the most complete outdoor experience areas in the state.  It serves as the junction of three long trails and offers camping, backpacking, swimming, and boating.  There is a waterfall, ravine, mill ruins, glacial fields and so much more.

Hiking/Backpacking

• Narragansett Trail (see the complete Trail Guide here)
  • This section of the Narragansett starts from the eastern side coming from a road walk on Sand Hill Road.  The 1.21 mile trail is a less traveled section but is easy to follow with a few interesting rock features.  You’ll soon reach a dirt section of Green Fall Road which heads downhill before taking a left just before the Green Fall River.  The mouth of the ravine features the remains of an old mill with a cairn that once held a wooden sluiceway aloft.  The foundations of the mill are said to be off near the river, but I couldn’t spot them on my last visit.
  • The ravine is impressive and newly built bridges and boardwalks make this section a hidden gem.  The trails then continues along cut into the steep bank until reach the outflow waterfall at the southern end of Green Fall Pond.  The trail climbs up the side of the retaining wall for a view of the pond before skirting it’s edge for just over a half mile.
  • Among thick mountain laurel you’ll turn away from the pond and head into the forest.  There is a newer red blazed trail not marked on the trail map above which heads north.  Not far past that trail is a small clearing with an unmarked access trail to the Peg Mill lean-to backpacking shelter.  Just a bit west is Peg Mill brook as a water source and the remains of the eponymous Peg Mill.
  • Next section: Dinosaur Caves
• Pachaug Trail
  • The southern terminus of the Pachaug Trail starts just west of the camping area heading north.  It was a bit difficult to find on my last visit in 2019.  The first feature is a “Fat Man’s Squeeze” a narrow curving break in a large boulder.  The trail then ascends a boulder field following a forested ridgeline towards the multi-purpose trail.  This deep forest section feels remote and alternates between narrow trail, occasional ATV track, marshy areas, and steep hillsides until reaching Rt 138.
  • Next section: —
• Nehantic Trail
  • I hiked this 2.45 section in summer 2019 as part of a 30 mile Pachuag Loop, but unfortunately don’t remember much of note in this stretch.
• Pond Loop
  • The 1.9 mile loop features many secluded views of the pond.  Though rocky in many spots the is well maintained and well traveled by all.
• Multipurpose Trail
  • Unexplored

Swimming

Check the Beach Status Report to see if the beach is currently open.

Green Fall Pond has a small sandy beach at the north end of the pond with a couple picnic tables.

Boating/Fishing

Boat Launch Link

The 48 acre Green Fall Pond is also known as Green Fall Reservoir.  There is a dirt boat launch a bit before the camping area.  No internal combustion engines are allowed so you’ll mainly see kayaks out on the water.  Paddling around the pond will take about an hour and there are a few small islands.

Camping

The Green Falls Campground in Pachaug State Forest will be open for the 2021 season, from April 9 through October 11 (daily). The campground has 18 wooded sites. One pet per site is allowed. Alcohol prohibited.

Reservations Link

• $17/night/campsite for CT residents plus a Processing Fee
• $27/night/campsite for non-CT residents plus a Processing Fee

Campground Map

History:

The picnic areas, camping sites, earthen dam and even the road to the pond were built in the 1930s and early 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps’ Camp Lonergan; the camp was named after Connecticut Representative and Senator Augustine Lonergan. A nice footbridge crosses a stream in the campground; it was designed and built in May 2001 as an Eagle Scout project by Brian Hedler of Troop 75 Preston, Connecticut.

Links:

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Last updated August 28th, 2021