Trails / Connecticut / Eastern Connecticut

Pachaug-Nehantic Loop and Mount Misery (Pachaug State Forest)

Pachaug State Forest, Connecticut DEEP (Voluntown and Griswold, eastern Connecticut)

Pachaug State Forest is Connecticut’s largest, at 26,477 acres, according to the state parks site, and the same site describes a well-established backpacking trail network. Backpacking Routes describes a loop of about 31 miles combining the Pachaug and Nehantic Trails, with unexpected solitude, year-round backpacking, and one real climb, over Mount Misery.

Camping is only at designated sites, by permit, with a one-night limit at each.

The hike

The state parks site says the forest covers 26,477 acres across six towns, with four blue-blazed trails, popular routes to scenic overlooks like Mount Misery, and a well-established backpacking network. Wikipedia notes that the Pachaug Trail connects to the Quinebaug Trail and to the Nehantic Trail at Green Fall Pond, and that the Nehantic and Pachaug Trails overlap for a section that includes Mount Misery and the Chapman Management Area, home to the Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Backpacking Routes describes its loop combining parts of the Pachaug and Nehantic Trails, passing the Dawley Pond and Dry Reservoir shelters. It says Mount Misery is the only significant climb, with a view east over the loop’s flat terrain. The forest’s trail map puts Mount Misery at 441 feet.

Dawley Pond’s lean-to sits on the Pachaug Trail on the west side of Great Meadow Brook Pond. The state parks site lists a primitive lean-to, a fire ring, and a nearby pond for drinking water. Backpacking Connecticut describes beautiful pond views and the sound of water next to the shelter, with flat, open space for tents or hammocks.

The Dry Reservoir lean-to is near the junction of the Nehantic and Pachaug Trails. Backpacking Routes says it’s a short distance north on the Nehantic Trail after the Pachaug Trail splits off, and describes it as clean but small. Backpacking Connecticut adds that it’s short, with no standing room, but wide enough to sleep several people, with a solid fire pit and grate. It says the shelter is about half a mile from Firetower Road and about three-quarters of a mile from the Mount Misery Overlook, and that a nearby stream may dry up in summer.

Backpacking Routes describes the final leg as about 6 miles, backtracking over Mount Misery and then south on the Nehantic Trail. The forest’s other two lean-tos, Peg Mill and Legend Wood, sit on the Narragansett Trail, which connects with the Nehantic and Pachaug Trails at Green Fall Pond. Backpacking Connecticut says Peg Mill stands out especially in rainy weather.

A Hipcamp listing for Peg Mill advises packing a tent and your own water, and bringing a warm sleeping bag in winter, spring, or fall, since the shelters are exposed. The state parks site notes that Mount Misery Campground, one of the forest’s two main campgrounds, sits near the forest’s highest peak and the Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Not every trail here is for hikers only. The forest’s trail map says the blue-blazed trails are foot travel only, but the Pachaug Multiuse Trail is open to registered off-highway motorcycles, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

For car camping before or after, Backpacking Routes points to the forest’s Green Falls and Mount Misery campgrounds.

For Connecticut’s Appalachian Trail, see Ten Mile Hill to Mount Algo.

Tips

Apply for permits at least 14 days ahead. DEEP requires an application for every backpack campsite.
Plan one night per lean-to. DEEP limits stays to one night at each site.
Leave pets at home. DEEP says pets aren’t allowed at backpack sites.
Check water at Dry Reservoir. The nearby stream may dry up in summer.
Use a stove. DEEP asks backpackers to cook on stoves.

Camping

CT DEEP says backpack camping in Pachaug State Forest is only at designated sites, by permit, with a one-night limit per site and no dispersed camping. Applications must arrive at least 14 days ahead and go to the Eastern District Headquarters. The state parks site lists four lean-tos: Dawley Pond, Dry Reservoir, Peg Mill, and Legend Wood. DEEP asks groups to stay under 10 people where possible and to camp only in designated, signed areas.

Inside Intel: Dawley Pond is the scenic pick. Backpacking Connecticut describes pond views and the sound of water right next to the shelter, and the state parks site notes the pond provides drinking water. Dry Reservoir is smaller, with no standing room, per Backpacking Connecticut, but it sits close to the Mount Misery Overlook.

Trail facts

Distance: About 31 miles for the Pachaug-Nehantic loop
Route type: Loop (multiday)
Difficulty: Moderate. Mount Misery is the only significant climb.
Elevation: Mount Misery 441 feet (trail map)
Campsites: Dawley Pond and Dry Reservoir lean-tos on the loop; Peg Mill and Legend Wood nearby
Water: Ponds and streams; the Dry Reservoir stream may dry up. Treat all water.
Permits: Required; apply at least 14 days ahead
Pets: Not allowed at backpack sites
Trailheads: Pachaug State Forest (Voluntown area); Mount Misery area off Firetower Road
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.