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    Hopemead State Park

    • Trails
      1 miles
    • Rating
      ★★☆☆☆
    • Address
      Hopemead State Park Reserve, Cottage Rd, Bozrah, CT 06334, USA
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    At A Glance

    Connecticut State Park

    60 acres in Bozrah and Montville, CT

    Parking: Small lot near 28 Cottage Road, Bozrah, CT 

    Trail Map     Trails: Less than a mile      Rating: ★★☆☆☆

    Hopemead is a tiny and unassuming state park that is one of Connecticut’s ‘scenic reserves‘.  There is a short out and back hiking trail as well as access to Gardner Lake.  I visited in the Winter of 2018 and while there is a bit to explore I think the main draw of this park is secluded swimming access to Gardner Lake.

    Hiking

    The trail here is a straightforward out and back on what must be the former driveway of the Fuller summer estate.  Though a bit wet during my visit, the trail was easy and flat walking passing between high stonewalls until it reached the water.  On a tiny bluff above the water you can find the remains of the house and barn that were torn down once the land was sold to the state.

    A small side trail provides access from the adjacent Laurel-Lock Campgrounds.

    History

    Purchased for $98,000 from Harriet Louise Fuller and Charlotte Fuller-Eastman in 1954, through funds set aside by George Dudley Seymour.  The state park was established in 1955.  The women’s father James E. Fuller originally named the property Camp Charmarlou for his daughter’s names, but later changed it to Hopemead (meadow of hope).  The property had been the farm of Solomon Gardner (son of the David Gardner for whom Gardner Lake is named) in the 1800s.

    Links

    CTMQ – Hopemead State Park (2018)

    The Day – State Aquires 60 Acres For Park at Gardner Lake (1955)

    Leary, Joseph. A Shared Landscape: A Guide & History of Connecticut’s State Parks & Forests. (2004) pg. 212.

    Tags
    • ★★☆☆☆
    • Bozrah
    • Explored
    • Montville
    • New London County
    • Scenic Reserve
    • State Park
    Last Updated

    The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents. Last updated January 28th, 2018

    Trail Map
    Location
    • Hopemead State Park Reserve, Cottage Rd, Bozrah, CT 06334, USA

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    Gallery
    Categories
    • Hiking
    • Swimming
    Gallery
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