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: 203-226-6983

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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.

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

Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area
18 Ranger Road
Haddam, CT
Phone: 860-566-2304

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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.

Swimming Holes

MYSTIC/EASTERN top of listings

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve / Bluff Point State Park
Depot Road, off US Route 1
Groton, CT
Phone: 860-444-7591

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Bluff Point Coastal Reserve offers the visitor a delightful mixture of wooded hiking and biking trails coupled with spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound. Activities include hiking, saltwater fishing, mountain biking, shell fishing. 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. No fee to park.

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

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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)

Rated one of the best beaches by National Geographic

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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
244 West Main Street (Route 156)
East Lyme, CT
Phone: 860-739-5471

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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.

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

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.

Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT
Phone: 203-245-2785

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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: 203-946-8005

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.

Fairfield/Southwest

Hartford/Central

Mystic/Eastern

New Haven/South Central