Devil's Hopyard Airport (CT11) — East Haddam's Uniquely Named Private Airstrip
Devil's Hopyard Airport, designated CT11, is a private general aviation airstrip in East Haddam, Connecticut, sharing the town with Goodspeed Airport. The airport's name derives from the legendary Devil's Hopyard State Park — a Connecticut state forest known for the Chapman Falls waterfall, curious cylindrical potholes in the stream bed, and the folklore surrounding these geological formations. The name reflects East Haddam's character as a town where natural wonder and local legend intersect, and where the backcountry character of the inland areas contrasts with the cultural life along the Connecticut River. CT11 is registered with the Connecticut Airport Authority and regulated by the FAA New England Region as a private-use facility.
The terrain around Devil's Hopyard State Park and the Eightmile River valley is among the more rugged in Middlesex County, with forested hills, stream-cut valleys, and wooded ridges that require careful flight planning for private airstrip operations. CT11's location in East Haddam's inland areas — away from the Connecticut River floodplain environment of Goodspeed Airport — means higher terrain elevation and different approach path challenges. The Eightmile River, a designated federal Wild and Scenic River, flows through the area near Devil's Hopyard, and low-altitude flight should respect the environmental sensitivity of this watershed. A network of private and public aviation facilities in the East Haddam area gives pilots multiple options depending on their operating requirements.
What is the origin of the name Devil's Hopyard Airport?
Devil's Hopyard Airport takes its name from Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, Connecticut, a beloved state park known for Chapman Falls, cylindrical stream potholes, and Connecticut folklore about the devil's presence at the site.
What is the FAA designator for Devil's Hopyard Airport?
The FAA designator for Devil's Hopyard Airport is CT11. It is a private-use facility in East Haddam, Connecticut, registered with the Connecticut Airport Authority.
Is CT11 near Devil's Hopyard State Park?
Yes. Devil's Hopyard Airport (CT11) is located in the East Haddam area near Devil's Hopyard State Park and the Eightmile River watershed, in the inland uplands of Middlesex County.
What are the terrain features near CT11?
The Devil's Hopyard area features wooded hills, stream valleys, and forested ridges rising to 400-600 feet MSL. Pilots must account for these terrain features when planning approaches and departures at CT11 and similar private inland Connecticut airstrips.
Devils Hopyard Airport - Ct11 Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in East Haddam, Connecticut.
| Name | Devils Hopyard Airport - Ct11 |
| Address | Hopyard Road, East Haddam CT 06423 Map |
| Phone | (203) 434-8022 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Devils Hopyard Airport - Ct11
Airports in near by County
Airports near East Haddam
Flying to Devil's Hopyard Country in East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam's inland areas surrounding Devil's Hopyard State Park offer a distinctly different Connecticut experience from the cultural river frontage near the Goodspeed Opera House. Routes 82 and 434 wind through the hilly forested terrain, providing access to the state park, the Eightmile River corridor, and the private residential areas where CT11 is located. Prior permission is required from the owner before landing at Devil's Hopyard Airport, consistent with all private-use facilities in the Connecticut Airport Authority's registry.
The FAA New England Region's sectional chart for this area of Middlesex County shows relatively sparse aviation traffic compared to the Hartford and New Haven areas, making it a quiet environment for experienced backcountry and private strip pilots. The nearby Eightmile River's designation as a Wild and Scenic River means environmentally sensitive low-altitude operations should be avoided over the watershed. Pilots seeking full-service aviation support while visiting the East Haddam area should plan stops at Groton-New London Airport (GON) on the Connecticut coast or Robertson Airport in Plainville for any maintenance, fuel, or instrument training requirements.