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. $5 parking fee per car.

Sherwood Island State Park
Off I-95 at Exit 18
Westport, CT
Phone: 203-566-2305

State park features a one-and-a-half mile beach, fishing areas, food concession, bathhouse, and swimming areas. Parking fee: weekdays, $7 for in-state vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles; weekends, $10 for in-state vehicles and $15 for out-of-state vehicles. Open Memorial Day - Labor Day.

Swimming Holes

Swimming holes can be found in or near rock quarries, streams, gorges, and waterfalls. Most are pristine, uncrowded, and surrounded by beautiful woods and forests. For details, see the web site www.SwimmingHoles.info

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.

HARTFORD/CENTRAL top of listings

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.

Swimming Holes

MYSTIC/EASTERN top of listings

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.

Misquamicut State Beach
257 Atlantic Avenue
Westerly, RI
Phone: 401-596-9097

See Map

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. Parking fee.

Ocean Beach Park
1225 Ocean Avenue
New London, CT 06320
Phone: 860-447-3031
Toll-Free: 1-800-510-SAND (7263)

New England's Finest Beach and Boardwalk

Email See Map

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.

Rocky Neck State Park
Just off State Route 156
East Lyme, CT

This state park consists of over a mile of beachfront and woods for enjoyment. Swimming, saltwater fishing and scuba diving are permitted in Long Island Sound. Hiking trails are also available in the woods.

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.

Swimming Holes

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.

NEW HAVEN/SOUTH CENTRAL top of listings

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

Open weather permitting. Lifeguards on duty during daytime hours. There is a daily parking fee of $7 per car.

Gulf Beach
Exit 39A off I-95
Milford, CT
Phone: 203-783-3280

Admission: $5 per day, season pass $165.

Hammonasset State Park
Route 1
Madison, CT
Phone: 203-245-1817

The largest beach in Connecticut also has one of the state's largest public campsites. Full-facility camping with 550 sites. There is a camping fee and a fee to use the beach at the park.
William F. Miller Campground. 558 open sites. Concession, dumping station, bathrooms, showers. Salt water swimming and fishing. Individual fireplaces not provided. No pets. Cost: $15/night/campsite plus a processing fee. Open May through October.

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: 203-946-8005

Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day, 6 pm - sunset

This 82 acre park on Long Island Sound features exhibits on natural history, swimming areas, nature trails, a bird sanctuary and an antique carousel. There is a parking fee.

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

Sandy Point Beach
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.

Swimming Holes

Walnut Beach
Exit 34 off I-95
Milford, CT
Phone: 203-783-3280

Admission: $5 per day, season pass $165.

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