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Pachaug State Forest

4.6 ★★★★★ 750 Google reviews · Running trail in Voluntown, Connecticut · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
1.9 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Pachaug State Forest's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Mixed1.9 miLoopDog-friendlyWaterTrailhead parking

24,000-acre forest offers a range of hiking trails, campgrounds, fresh-water fishing & picnic space.

What runners say about Pachaug State Forest

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (750 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Really nice clean area to ride around and enjoy the scenery.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful place for a nice day hike, the trails are clearly marked and easy to navigate!”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Beautiful place for a nice day hike, the trails are clearly marked and easy to navigate!”

Really nice clean area to ride around and enjoy the scenery. There are a few trails for you to drive on none of which really requiring and 4x4 or off road capability however do be careful on some of the roads in the area after a heavy rain as there may be some pooling.

★★★★★ — Devon , Aug 2019

Beautiful place to hike and explore. 🌲 Pachaug State Forest was established with a 1,011 acre land purchase from the Briggs Manufacturing Co. in Voluntown in 1928. In 1933, the first year the Civilian Conservation Corps began, Camp Lonergan was established in the Forest.

★★★★★ — M , Nov 2019

Great state forest with a variety of trails for hiking, biking, enduro, horseback, etc. Nicely marked and managed. Enjoy having this in my area especially with a dog that likes to go on a hike anytime!

★★★★☆ — Cesar , Nov 2022

Easy to find, plenty of trails from easy to hard, and I only just started riding here and love it already, I definitely recommend checking it out from riding to mountain biking to hiking!

★★★★★ — Corey , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 750 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“Very extensive network of smooth gravel roads thru-out the park.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly

“Enjoy having this in my area especially with a dog that likes to go on a hike anytime!”

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🔁 Loop trail

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🪵 Boardwalk

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Pachaug State Forest

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Loop distance1.9 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteportal.ct.gov
  • Phone(860) 376-4075
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–6 PM
Thursday 7 AM–6 PM
Friday 7 AM–6 PM
Saturday 7 AM–6 PM
Sunday 7 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Pachaug State Forest

Voluntown, Connecticut

Get directions

Running trails near Voluntown

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Hopeville Pond State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 965 reviews

Griswold, CT

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

This serene spot offers an 80-site campground, boat launch, biking & walking trails & picnic tables.

3.0 miles away

Hopeville Pond Beach

4.8 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

Griswold, CT

3.1 miles away

3.9 miles away

Billings Hiking Trail

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

North Stonington, CT

4.9 miles away

Green Falls Dam

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Voluntown, CT

1.9 miLoopMixedDog-friendly

5.2 miles away

Ben Utter Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 84 reviews

Exeter, RI

2 miNatural surfaceScenic

Hiking area featuring waterfalls, picnic spots, and kid-friendly trails.

6.8 miles away

All running trails in Voluntown, CT →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.