Natural swimming hole
Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area
Lake · Connecticut
About this swimming hole
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control project spanning Middlebury, Naugatuck and Waterbury, built after the devastating 1955 flood and completed in 1968. The 536-acre recreation area centers on a 21-acre lake with a designated sandy swimming beach and buoyed swim area. Picnic shelters, grills and more than nine miles of trails round out the day-use park.
Good to know
| Water type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Depth | The 21-acre recreation pool reaches a maximum depth of about 18 ft; swimming is confined to the buoyed designated area |
| Best season | Late May-September |
| Fees | Free — entrance into the park and activities are free of charge |
| Reservations required | No |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from the weekend before Memorial Day to the weekend after Labor Day; closed to vehicular traffic Monday-Thursday |
| Parking | Free parking inside the recreation area; entrance at the intersection of Route 63 and Route 188 in Middlebury |
| Amenities | restrooms, picnic tables, picnic shelters, hiking trails, boat launch |
| County | New Haven County |
| Nearest town | Middlebury |
| Safety notes | Swim only within the buoyed designated area. Beach water is sampled weekly in season and the swim area can close after heavy rain due to bacteria — check current conditions before going. |
Map
Official information
Official park / agency page ↗ — check current conditions, fees, and reservations here before you go.
Nearby swimming holes
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area?
Yes — Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area is listed as a natural swimming spot in Connecticut. Heads-up: Swim only within the buoyed designated area. Beach water is sampled weekly in season and the swim area can close after heavy rain due to bacteria — check current conditions before going.. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — verify conditions locally before you go.
Does Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area require reservations?
No reservations are required at Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area based on current information — but verify before you go.
Is there a fee to visit Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area?
Reported fee info: Free — entrance into the park and activities are free of charge. Fees can change — confirm with the official link.
When is the best time to visit Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area?
The best season is typically Late May-September.