Connecticut has salt-water beaches on the coast; lakes and ponds inland
Calf Pasture Beach
Calf Pasture Beach Road, off I-95 at Exit 16
Norwalk, CT
Phone: 203-854-7806
Open: Memorial Day - September
This 33 acre beach is the largest in the area. Features include a miniature golf course, fishing area, softball fields, volleyball courts, sailboat/windsurf/kayak rentals. Parking fee: $15 per car.
Jennings Beach
South Benson Road, off I-95 at Exit 22
Fairfield, CT
Beach has playground for children, bathhouse and food concession. Parking fee per car: $15 weekdays, $25 weekends.
Lake Mohegan
Tahmore Road, off the Merritt Parkway at Exit 15
Fairfield, CT
Phone: 203-256-3010
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day
Lake beach with public grills and a picnic area. Admission: $18 per person weekdays, $15 per person weekends.
Long Beach
Oak Bluff, off I-95 at Exit 30N/31S
Stratford, CT
Open: Memorial Day - September
Parking fee: $10 per car.
Penfield Beach
Fairfield Beach road, off I-95 at Exit 22
Fairfield, CT
Phone: 203-256-3010
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day
Beach amenities include a playground, picnic area with public grills, food concession and restrooms. Parking fee: $15 per car weekdays, $25 per car weekends.
Seaside Park Beach
Barnum Dyke, Off I-95 at Exit 27
Bridgeport, CT
Phone: 203-576-7233
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day
Beach with a picnic area, food concession, bathhouse and restrooms. Fees: Day passes are $20 for vehicles with Connecticut registration and $40 for cars with out-of-state registration. People with out-of-state vehicle registration may buy day passes only.
Off I-95 at Exit 18
Westport, CT
Phone: 203-226-6983
State park features a sandy beach, fishing areas, food concession, bathhouse, and swimming areas. Have a leisurely lunch in the picnic grove, swim in Long Island sound, or view marsh life from the observation platform. Because of the sharp rocks and shells at West Beach, swimmers are urged to use East Beach, which has lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The Nature Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Surf and shore fishing are allowed outside of swimming areas. Facilities: bathrooms, food concession, picnic shelter, picnic tables, showers. Park fees: Weekends, $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Weekday fees are $14 and $20. Fee is $10 after 4 p.m.
Short Beach
Dorne Drive
Stratford, CT
Short Beach is located adjacent to the mouth of the Housatonic River, and it provides recreation for citizens of all ages. The northernmost section provides handicapped access to the beach as well as least tern and piping plover nesting areas. Fisherman also use the marine basin to fish for snapper bluefish during the summer months. Farther south on the beach are picnic areas, a calisthenics course, a playground, and a sandbox. A concession stand/shower is located on the beach.
Weed Beach
Nearwater Lane, off I-95 at Exit 27
Darien, CT
Phone: 203-656-7325
Beach amenities include public grills, picnic areas, tennis courts, restrooms. Reservations are required for the tennis courts. A $25 parking fee per car is charged. Open: Memorial Day-September.
18 Ranger Road
Haddam, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304
The second largest forest in the state, set on 15,652 acres. Areas for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, hiking and cross-country ski trails, fresh water swimming and picnic areas.
Cockaponset State Forest offers youth group camping.
There is a seasonal weekend/holiday parking fee at the Pattaconk Recreation Area of $14 for state residents and $20 for non-residents. No fee on weekdays.
Harvey's Beach
Route 154
Old Saybrook, CT
Phone: 860-395-3152
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day
Beachfront is 100 yards long and includes a concession stand, playground and restrooms. Lifeguards are on duty during operating hours. There is an entrance fee to use the beach.
Bluff Point Coastal Reserve
Depot Road, off US Route 1
Groton, CT
Phone: 860-444-7591
Bluff Point Coastal Reserve offers a hiking through woods and along a stony coastline along with viewing of wildlife and sea birds on Long Island Sound. The trail to the bluff passes through wooded and open areas until the view broadens as the bluff is approached. Here vegetation is more sparse and diminutive because of wind exposure. The long, narrow beach is a remnant of the continental glaciers. Activities include beach hiking , saltwater fishing, mountain biking, shell fishing. Parking is free.
A permit is required for shell fishing. Permits are issued by the Town of Groton. Town offices are located at Route 1 and Depot Road. Telephone: 860-441-6600.
Information: http://1.usa.gov/12qbkYR
Day Pond State Park
State Route 149
Colchester, CT
Harvey's Beach
Route 154
Old Saybrook, CT
Phone: 860-395-3152
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day
Beachfront is 100 yards long and includes a concession stand, playground and restrooms. Lifeguards are on duty during operating hours. There is an entrance fee to use the beach.
Hopeville Pond State Park
Just off State Route 138
Griswold, CT
One of the area's largest parks, on 554 acres, and featuring a freshwater pond, beach, fishing, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails.
257 Atlantic Avenue
Westerly, RI
Phone: 401-596-9097
Seven miles of sandy, white beach, clean, clear, water with moderate surf little undertow. Parking for 3,000 cars. Picnic area, restroom, telephone, complete wheelchair access, warning signals for blind people, fire alarm signals for deaf people. Open only weekends, May through Memorial Day (weather permitting); open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
1225 Ocean Avenue
New London, CT 06320
Phone: 860-447-3031
Toll-Free: 1-800-510-SAND (7263)
Rated one of the best beaches by National Geographic
There’s family fun and more at Ocean Beach Park. New this year is our Splash Park for kids under 8. For more water fun we have the ocean, of course, an Olympic-size swimming pool and triple waterslide. Our award-winning lifeguard staff is on duty for your safety. For more fun we have rides, mini-golf, and a Family Fun Center with a video arcade. Kids can enjoy our playground and adults can work out in the health club. The nature walk and observation deck let you enjoy our natural beauty. When all the activity makes you hungry you can choose from our full-service restaurant, a food court, or ice cream stands. Ocean Beach Park can also accommodate picnics and corporate events. Our nightly entertainment schedule includes Classic Car Cruises on Mondays; kids movies on the beach Tuesday and Thursday; live magic on Wednesday; live bands on Friday; and family entertainment on Saturdays.
244 West Main Street (Route 156)
East Lyme, CT
Phone: 860-739-5471
The large stone pavilion, diverse trail systems, and gently sloping beach make this park ideal for families. Try crabbing or fishing. Look for hawks, cranes, and herons. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, saltwater fishing, interpretive programs, saltwater swimming. Facilities include bathrooms, food concession, pavilion, and picnic tables. Rocky Neck Campground offers 160 sites in both open and wooded settings. The camping season begins in May and ends September 30.
From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day there are separate weekend/holiday and weekday parking fees. On weekends from April 17 through May 23 and again from September 11 through September 26, the weekday rate for parking will be in effect. There is also a camping fee at Rocky Neck State Park.
Sound View Beach
Hartford Avenue
Old Lyme, CT
Fewer crowds and concession stands are the mark of this small beach in Old Lyme. Parking is available for a fee in lots run by the town.
Watch Hill
Located minutes east of Westerly on Bay Street
Watch Hill, RI
The village of Watch Hill sports the more tranquil cousin to Misquamicut. This is a terrific scenic beach, and requires a walk of at least one half mile from your car. This area is more popular with boaters and bird-watchers. A noticable landmark is the Fort Mansfield, which is an attractive spot for photographs. The beach has no facilities or snackbars, although dining can be found in Watch Hill village itself. On-street parking is free but on a one or two hour time limit. Private parking is available at a fee.
Bradley Point Beach
Exit 42 off I-95
West Haven, CT
Phone: 203-937-3651
Admission: $10/day, $5 after 4 pm
Clinton Town Beach
Waterside Lane
Clinton, CT
Phone: 860-669-6901
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day, 9 am - 5 pm daily
This is a sandy beach facing the entrance to Clinton Harbor with views of Long Island Sound. Enjoy the beach at high tide, and walk out to the sand bars in Clinton Harbor at low tide. There is a car-top boat access area for sea-kayaks and car-top boats, and a walkway for fishing off an old stone bridge that crosses the Hammock River at the entrance. In season, sanitary facilities and a food concession are open to the public. A pavilion is available for picnic lunches as well as a viewing platform with interpretive signs to enjoy wildlife in adjacent tidal marshes. Lifeguards on duty during daytime hours.
Cost: $25 per day per car from third week of June through Labor Day
Gulf Beach
Exit 39A off I-95
Milford, CT
Phone: 203-783-3280
Admission: $5 per day, season pass $165.
1288 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT
Phone: 203-245-2785
Connecticut's largest shoreline park offers over two miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or just relaxing in the sun and surf.
Activities include saltwater swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking, fishing, paddling, bicycling, and camping. The Meigs Point Nature Center offers programs and activities for park visitors on a limited year round basis.
Facilities: Bathrooms, boardwalk, car top boat launch, concessions, nature center, picnic shelters, picnic tables, showers.
Park fees: Weekends, $20 for Connecticut residents and $30 for non-residents; weekday fees are $14 and $20. All days, $10 after 4 p.m.
Hammonasset offers over 550 grassy campsites. Open for the season from May 21 through October 30 (203-245-1817).
Lake Quonnipaug
Route 77
Guilford, CT
Phone: 203-245-2785
Beach and swimming area in a fresh water lake. Admission: $4 per person Monday - Friday, $6 per person Saturday - Sunday.
Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Road
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-946-8019
Lighthouse Point in New Haven is at the eastern point of New Haven Harbor. Now dark, the lighthouse protected ships in New Haven harbor for 73 years. Today, the park attracts thousands of people to the public beach for swimming, fishing, boating (there is a public boat launch) picnicking, and play. Lifeguards are on duty during summer season, times as posted. Lighthouse tours can be arranged by appointment.
Located on the Atlantic flyway, the park is one of the most popular spots for bird watching along the East Coast. The park is the headquarters of the East Shore Ranger program, which offers programs about marine ecology, sailing history, and the history of the forts. The ranger station houses a salt water hands-on touch tank and several smaller aquariums. Other displays include a sailing ship's deck with a ship's wheel, sailor's hammock, and moveable sails. The East Shore Rangers lead group tours to the top of the Lighthouse by advance reservations only. To plan a tour, call the East Shore Ranger at 203-946-0790.
Several water-based adventure programs, including canoeing, kayaking are conducted at Lighthouse. For information on either of these or the Canoe New Haven schedule, call the Outdoor Adventure Coordinator of the New Haven Park Rangers at 203-944-6768.
The Lighthouse Park Carousel is one of less than 100 in use today. It includes 72 figures on a 60 foot platform. The carousel is also available for private functions. For rental information email: sbruno@newhavenct.net . The Carousel operated Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. The Lighthouse Park Splashpad is a series of fresh water fountains.
Hours: Gates open year-round, 7 a.m. to sunset; season is from April 1 to November 1.
Parking fees: New Haven registered vehicles, free; non-resident vehicles, $20/day, $100/season
Information: http://bit.ly/17ffDal
Morse Beach
Exit 42 off I-95
West Haven, CT
Phone: 203-937-3651
Admission: $10/day, $5 after 4 pm
Oak Street Beach
Exit 42 off I-95
West Haven, CT
Phone: 203-937-3651
Admission: $10/day, $5 after 4 pm
Exit 42 off I-95
West Haven, CT
Phone: 203-937-3651
Admission: $10/day, $5 after 4 pm
Silver Sands State Park
Exit 35 off I-95
Milford, CT
Phone: 203-735-4311
Swimming and fishing (saltwater) are allowed at this park, which features Charles Island, legendary location of Captain Kidd's buried treasure. Admission is free.
Walnut Beach
Exit 34 off I-95
Milford, CT
Phone: 203-783-3280
Admission: $5 per day, season pass $165.
