Lake Hayward is a natural spring-fed lake situated just north of Devil's Hopyard State Park in the northeastern corner of East Haddam, Connecticut, and is bordered by the towns of Colchester and Salem.

In 1847 after breaking away from Goodyear's company, Mr. Hayward established a factory in Colchester, Connecticut to manufacture shoes.

During the time he was residing in Colchester, he purchased land for hunting along Shaw's pond on the north east edge of East Haddam, Connecticut, where a grist mill was operating.

Its surface area is 174 acres (70 ha), and its elevation is 348 feet (106 m) above sea level.

The lake has four private beaches and does not allow motorboats with gasoline engines.