Wolf Den Campground

Pomfret Center, Connecticut

About

Steeped in history, legend and lore, Mashamoquet Brook offers hiking, camping, and fishing for the whole family. Named after the Mohegan word for “stream of good fishing”, the park was once the domain of the Mohegan Chief, Uncas. Later, Captain John Sabin built a house here to serve as an outpost and the settlement gradually increased in size. Today’s 1,000+ acre park is the combination of three parks: the original Mashamoquet Brook, Wolf Den, and Saptree Run. The park’s most famous feature is the Wolf Den. Legend has it that on a night in 1742, Israel Putnam, later a Major General in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, crept into the den and shot Connecticut’s last documented wolf. The wolf was notorious for preying upon local sheep and livestock and Putnam was heralded for the slaying. The site was added to the National Historic Places in 1985 and a plaque at the entrance of the den recounts the story. Near the Den are two other natural stone formations: the Table Rock, a big flat shelf of rock, and Indian Chair, a wide seat-shaped ledge that looks like — you guessed it — a chair. The Wolf Den portion of the park has been in the public domain since before State Park and Forest Commission's creation in 1914. The Daughters of the American Revolution had the foresight to purchase the parcel in 1899 and graciously sold the land to the State in 1924 for the original 1899 price. Views from the Park showcase the beauty of Mashamoquet State Park, with images of hiking, camping, and nature.

Amenities

Available Site Types

• camping

Local Attractions

• Wolf Den historic site
• Table Rock
• Indian Chair rock formation
• Mashamoquet Brook Trail
• Natchaug State Forest
• Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret
• Trail Wood: The Edwin Way Teale Memorial Sanctuary
• Brayton Grist Mill & Marcy Blacksmith Museum
• Sharpe Hill Vineyard
• Vineyard Valley Golf Club
• Watercure Farm Distillery