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Devils Hopyard State Park
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State Park Overview |
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History of the Area |
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In 1919, the former State Park and Forest Commission obtained an 860 acre parcel located in the Millington section of Haddam. The principle feature of the park, Chapman Falls drops more than sixty feet over a series of steps in a Scotland Schist stone formation. The falls also once powered "Beebes Mills" which were named after the original owner. The mills operated until the mid 1890s.A search for the origin of the name "Devils Hopyard" reveals a wide variety of different stories none of them are verifiable and all are likely to be more fiction than fact. One of the most popular of these stories is about a man named Dibble, who had a garden for growing hops used in the brewing of beer. It seems that through usage, Dibbles Hopyard became Devils Hopyard. There are records of several farmers having hopyards in the area, but there is no mention of a landowner named Dibble. However, Dibble might have been a tenant.Another tale focuses on the potholes near the falls, which are some of the finest examples of pothole stone formations in this section of the country. Perfectly cylindrical, they range from inches to several feet in diameter and depth. These potholes were formed by stones moved downstream by the current and trapped in an eddy where the stone was spun around and around, wearing a depression in the rock. When the rock wore itself down, another would catch in the same hole and enlarge it. We know this now, but to the early settlers the potholes were a great mystery that they tried to explain with references to the supernatural. They thought that the Devil has passed by the falls, accidentally getting his tail wet. This made him so mad he burned holes in the stones with his hooves as he bounded away.
The park today offers some of the finest birding in the state and fishermen find the clear, cool stream water an excellent source of brook trout. |
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Area Accommodations |
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Ivoryton, CT
BEST COUNTRY INNConnecticut Magazine, September, 2003
A Beautiful Restored Turn-of-the-Century Inn with 13-Rooms and A
Top-Rated AAA Four-Diamond Restaurant. One mile From Main Street Essex
Price Range $184$375
Web Site
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Westbrook , CT
Located along the CT Shoreline midway between New York City and Boston, and only one hour from Hartford, with tons of local attractions both on the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River.
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More Info | |
State offbeat attractions, roadtrip sights and virtual vacation highlights. Part of travel book ... We have several attractions!" Devils Hopyard State Parkbeautiful! Camping, picnicking, hiking ... | |
The US50 is a extensive guide to history, outdoors, tourism, events and attractions for the fifty ... 860)424-3200 [Return to top] Devils Hopyard State Park Devils Hopyards primary focal point ... | |
Backpacking, hiking and camping tips and links for Connecticut ... DAY POND STATE PARK DENNIS HILL STATE PARK DEVILS HOPYARD STATE PARK DINOSAUR STATE PARK FORT GRISWOLD BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK GAY ... | |
New England bed and breakfast inn located in historic district in the charming village of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Offering elegant country bed and breakfast accommodations with... | |
... locations Chatfield Hollow State Park Killingworth Cockaponset State Forest Haddam Devils Hopyard State Park East Haddam Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park Groton Hammonasset Beach State Park ... | |
... or youth groups. Troop 72 donated several hundred hours to build a handicapped foot bridge at Devils Hopyard State Park. The bridge will provide a better view of the waterfall. In addition, the ... | |
Deacon Timothy Pratt B&B Inn, c.1746, Magnificent National Historic Register Inn! Features elegant ... Hammonassett State Park, Devils Hopyard State Park, Chamard Vineyards, Haight Vineyards, Childrens ... | |
... Comments Connecticut deserves a few notes, so here goes I remember a trip to Devils Hopyard State Park, with my beagle pup running freely through the campground (no leash laws back then!). We ... |
Area Campgrounds | | River Dale Farm Camp Site
111 River Rd
Clinton, CT
(860) 669-5388
| Camp Niantic by the Atlantic
271 W Main St
Niantic, CT
(860) 739-9308
| Aces High RV Park
301 Chesterfield Rd
East Lyme, CT
(860) 739-8858
| Wolf's Den Cooperative Campground
256 Town St
East Haddam, CT
(860) 873-9681
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From CT Route 9 take Exit 7, then a left at the end of the exit ramp onto CT Route 154 north. Take a right at the first traffic light and follow the signs.
From Interstate 395 take Exit 80 west. Take a right onto CT Route 82 west. Take a right onto Hopyard Road and follow signs.
From I-91S take Exit 22. Take Route 9S, Exit 10. Take Route 9AS to Tylerville. Take Route 82E over CT River for about 3 miles. At the stop sign take a right, and then take immediate left. Follow that road for approximately 8 miles, then follow the signs. |
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Devils Hopyard State Park
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