NOTICE: Amplified music, bounce houses and other play equipment are NOT ALLOWED. Please call the park directly, before making a reservation, if you have questions regarding other rules and regulations. Additional information can also be found at: http://www.ct.gov/dep

Chatfield Hollow Picnic Shelter, CT

Description
Chatfield Hollow Picnic Shelter sits upon Chatfield Hollow Brook, an ideal place to swim, fish, picnic, or hike. Reminders of early history include several old building foundations, a restored waterwheel on the upper pond, and a covered bridge reproduction spanning the brook. Chunks of oddly shaped metal fragments found near the watercourse are evidence that an iron smelting furnace worked native ores into metal for implements. Artifacts found in the vicinity of Indian Council Caves indicate that Native Americans once gathered amid the rock recesses and overhangs. An Indian trail once paralleled the brook, along what is now the park road. Early settlers made use of the stream for waterpower. Descendants of three Chatfield brothers, who arrived from England about 1639, were believed to have operated a gristmill along the brook.
Status: Open through Wed Nov 11 2026   Season Dates
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Chatfield Picnic Shelter
PICNIC SHELTER
50 Accessible site
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
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** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
Description

Chatfield Hollow Picnic Shelter sits upon Chatfield Hollow Brook, an ideal place to swim, fish, picnic, or hike. Reminders of early history include several old building foundations, a restored waterwheel on the upper pond, and a covered bridge reproduction spanning the brook. Chunks of oddly shaped metal fragments found near the watercourse are evidence that an iron smelting furnace worked native ores into metal for implements. Artifacts found in the vicinity of Indian Council Caves indicate that Native Americans once gathered amid the rock recesses and overhangs. An Indian trail once paralleled the brook, along what is now the park road. Early settlers made use of the stream for waterpower. Descendants of three Chatfield brothers, who arrived from England about 1639, were believed to have operated a gristmill along the brook.

Geography:

Chatfield Hollow Brook flows toward Long Island Sound between two high ridges covered with oak, beech, and hickory. In 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps built an earth and stone dam across the brook, creating seven acre Schreeder Pond. Pines planted at the same time now form a green setting around the pond.

Recreation:

Chatfield Hollow is a designated Trout Park, so pond and stream fishing are available. Other activities include swimming, picknicking, and hiking.

Facilities:

Park facilities include restrooms, picnic shelters, and picnic tables.

Nearby Attractions:

Nearby parks include Haddam Meadows State Park, Hammonasset Beach State Park, and Wadsworth Falls State Park.

Thu Jun 18 2026 - Sun May 16 2027

Reservations must be made 2 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.


Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Wed Apr 01 2026
Sat Oct 31 2026
Walk In
Sun Nov 01 2026
Wed Nov 11 2026
Within Park
  • Ada Accessible Picnic Area
  • Ada Accessible Pit Restroom
  • Ada Accessible Restroom
  • Bbq Grills
  • Beach
  • Bike Riding
  • Bike Trail
  • Biking
  • Bird Watching
  • Boardwalk
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Flush Toilet
  • Gatehouse
  • Grills
  • Group Cooking Facilities
  • Group Picnic Shelters
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Trails
  • Historic Sites
  • Horse Trail
  • Hospital
  • Interpretive Trails
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature Trail
  • Nature Viewing Area
  • Park Attendant
  • Park Benches
  • Parking
  • Paved Roads
  • Pavilion
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicking
  • Play Field
  • Potable Water
  • Pressurized Water
  • Recycling Center
  • Restroom
  • Sandy Beaches
  • Scenery
  • Swimming
  • Water Faucets
Within 10 Miles
  • Accessible Boat Ramp
  • Bait
  • Cafe
  • Convenience Store
  • Fishing Supplies
  • Grocery Store
  • Lodge
  • Post Office
  • Restaurant
Greater Than 10 Miles
  • Golf
  • Laundry
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
41.36667, -72.58611
41°22'0"N, 72°35'10"W

From I-95: Take Exit 63. Follow Route 81 north to Route 80 west. From Route 9: Take Exit 9. Follow Route 81 south to Route 80 west, and watch for park entrance signs.
Mailing Address:
Chatfield Hollow Picnic Shelter
381 ROUTE 80
KILLINGWORTH  CT  06419
Phone Number:
Information:  (860)663-2030
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