The Bolton Lakes are a tranquil plot of nature in the heart of New England. Want to know more about the Bolton Lakes in Connecticut? 14 miles east of Hartford, Bolton Lakes is in Tolland County and split into three lakes: Lower, Middle, and Upper Bolton Lakes. Swimming, canoeing, and year-round fishing are just a few of the ways Hartford residents can take advantage of Bolton Lakes’ offerings. Those of us here at Manchester Mazda are big fans of the lakes in Bolton, CT, and have detailed some of our favorite activities and facts below.
There are some differences between the three Bolton Lakes, which you can read about below:
Upper Bolton Lake
The smallest of the three lakes, Upper Bolton Lake has a surface area of 50 acres. It’s separated from Middle Bolton Lake by a spillway and features one public boat ramp. With that said, the average depth is only three feet deep—the maximum is only 7.5 feet—so it’s as ideal for boating as its sister lakes.
Middle Bolton Lake
Upper Bolton Lake spills into Middle Bolton Lake, which is bigger than upper but smaller than Lower Bolton Lake. Middle Bolton Lake has a surface area of 121 acres and a maximum depth of 20 feet, though the average depth is 12 feet. On the southern side, Lake Dam separates Middle and Bolton lakes. Looking to take a vacation along the scene Bolton Lakes? Many vacation rentals line the shoreline of Middle Bolton.
Lower Bolton Lake
The biggest of the three lakes, Lower Bolton Lake has a surface area of 175 acres. Lower Bolton Lake’s shoreline is lined with estate properties and rentals, which is just one of the reasons it’s the most popular of the three. One of the highlights: Bolton Lake, CT beach. There’s also a public boat launch located on the southeast corner near Indian Notch Park.
Bolton Notch Pond
Unconnected from Bolton Lakes, the Bolton Notch Pond is a 21-acre lake that runs along Route 44 in Bolton, CT. Hiking trails, canoeing and kayaking are among the activities offered at Bolton Pond. The maximum depth is only about 5 feet.
Beach-goers will love Indian Notch Park. On the southeast edge of Lower Bolton Lake, Indian Notch Park is composed of 27 acres of wooded areas along with 300 feet of sandy beach. Ideal for swimming and sunbathing, there are also grills, picnic areas, and a basketball court, along with a local fresh food market.
What are the Indian Notch Park hours?
9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much does it cost to visit Indian Notch Park and the beach?
Day rates for Indian Notch Park and the Bolton Lake beach are $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends for residents, and $15 and $25 for non-residents. A season pass for residents is $50 and for non-residents $100. Seniors over the age of 60-years-old who are residents can purchase a season pass for $25.
Where is the beach on Bolton Lake?
The beach and Indian Notch Park are located on off Tolland Road, Bolton, CT 06043. They are on the southeast corner of Lower Bolton Lake.
Here’s a partial list of the many activities Vernon-area visitors to the Bolton Lakes can engage in:
There’s plenty of great fishing to be had on Bolton Lakes year-round. Some of the common species in Bolton Lakes include perch, sunfish, catfish, panfish, and largemouth bass. Ice fishing is popular in the winter months.
Bolton Lakes Fishing Regulations
Whether you’re coming from South Windsor, Enfield, or Boston, Bolton Lakes make for a great day-trip, weekend trip, or even an extended stay. Needless to say, the staff here at Manchester Mazda love the lakes! If you’re looking to make a quick and sporty visit, why not check out the latest Mazda6 Sedan? If you want to haul a couple coolers with you, there’s always the Mazda CX-3 and Mazda CX-9. If you have any more suggestions for fun Connecticut spots—we also recommend the New England Motorcycle Museum, several brunch spots, and several more parks and lakes—feel free to reach out with your suggestions, or stop by Manchester Mazda for test drive and let us know your recs in person!
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