Bashan Lake in Connecticut

Trip Overview

Bashan Lake in East Haddam is a nice location for a half day paddle trip, especially early morning or later in the day. There are homes around the lake and small power boats, but mainly from the locals. Excellent ramp for put in at the end of a winding road that is half unpaved. Lack of visibility from main road keeps lake traffic to a minimum.

I observed people taking early morning swims, and several kayaks on various properties. Lake is clean. Circle of the lake takes plus or minus two hours depending on how long you want to linger around the several small islands. The few boaters that were out had manners.

Accommodations:

Porta-John next to sign board. Sandy ramp with some pebbles. Put-in is small pond, paddle right to lake.

Fees:

None

Directions:

From north/south and west of CT River, Take Rt. 9 to exit 7, Rt 154. At end of LONG ramp, left on 154 to first light, right on Rt 82 over E. Haddam bridge (pass Goodspeed Opera House). Follow Rt 82 a couple of miles until stop sign at "T" intersection of 151 and 82. Right to stay on 82 and take first left on Mt. Parnassus Rd. (Past Shagbark Hardware store on left). Look for sign for Devil's Hopyard State Park. At 2.8 miles, look for Ballhack Road on left. Boat launch sign is on right side of Mt. Parnassus Rd. across from Ballhack Rd. Follow to end <2 miles to parking and launch area.

Resources:

Hagstrom atlas of Middlesex/Hartford/New London counties is excellent, and includes location of boat launches at numerous places to paddle. $24 bucks at Borders. Well worth it.