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Fresh Water Beaches in Connecticut

Connecticut > State > On the Water > Beaches - Fresh Water

Connecticut has many state and local parks that are well-maintained with lots of amenities for a family vacation. Some of these include sandy, fresh-water beaches on lakes and ponds. Many offer playgrounds, changing rooms, refreshments, and other treats to enjoy a full day on the lake.
If salt water combined with ocean waves is your favorite, check out details about the state’s beaches on Long Island Sound.

ct fresh water beaches
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Burr Pond State Park

384 Burr Mountain Road Torrington, CT Phone: 860-482-1817

Pond has beach for swimming, canoe & kayak rentals, trails around the shoreline; lifeguards on weekends

Visitors can enjoy swimming from the beach, picnicking, hiking the perimeter of the pond, and boating at this pretty park. Visitors may rent canoes and kayaks.
Hiking map.
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Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area

18 Ranger Road Haddam, CT Phone: 860-566-2304

Large state forest; good for fishing, hiking & walking, horseback riding, snowmobiling

Freshwater swimming in various bodies of water of all sizes, from ponds to lakes to reservoirs, at Cockaponset State Park. Most people swim at Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area, which is a natural lake; it has no sandy bech.
Fees: Memorial Day to Labor Day: Weekends, $9 for state residents and $15 for out-of-state residents; weekdays, parking is free.
See Cockaponset State Park for full description of this park.
Lake Waramaug State Park

30 Lake Waramaug Road New Preston, CT Phone: 860-868-2592

This clear, crisp freshwater lake in a state park western Connecticut offers swimming, fishing, and boating for cvartop and hand-carried vessels. The surrounding hills are visit all year, and especially beautiful in fall. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent. Lifeguards are usually on duty weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards may also be scheduled on weekdays.
Hopeville Pond State Park

929 Hopeville Road Griswold, CT Phone: 860-376-2920

Freshwater swimming, fishing in Hopeville Pond. Campground in woods.

This nice day-use and overnight park has a swimming beach and boat ramp. See full description of Hopeville Pond State Park.
Indian Well State Park

Howe Avenue Shelton, CT Phone: 203-735-4311

Sweet riverside park for water sports and picnicking. Easy walking trails along the river.

This park on the Housatonic River has places to swim and enjoy other water sports. Also has shaded picnic areas. See full description of Indian Well State Park
Hop Brook Dam Park

4 Straits Tpk. Middlebury, CT, 06762 Phone: 203-729-8840

Day park offers water sports on the lake, picnicking, fishing, and trails for walking

This nice day park is centered upon Hop Brook Lake. The lake has a sandy beach and is open for swimming, paddling, rowing, and fishing. Fishing may be done on the lake and its streams, which are stocked with brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Bass and panfish are also found in the lake. Hikers will find over seven miles of trails winding through the woods and meadows at Hop Brook Lake. An 11-hole disc golf course is also located within the park. Facilities include flush toilets, drinking water, ball fields, volleyball courts, and horseshoe pit.
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.
Lake Mohegan

960 Morehouse Hwy Fairfield, CT Phone: 203-256-3191

Lake Mohegan and its surrounding open space comprise a total of 170.4 acres off Morehouse Highway. In summer, the fresh water lake is open to swimmers in a designated area supervised by lifeguards. The large beach is sandy and sunny. There’s little natural shade. There is a sprinkler park for children. The lake has a playground, a snack bar, picnic shelter and restroom facilities.
Fees: Parking is free, but a fee is charged at the gate to enter the swimming area from Memorial Day Saturday to Labor Day. Daily rates: Adult resident, $8-$10; adult non-resident, $15-$18; children (age 3-17) resident, $4-$6; child non-resident, $8-$12.
Stratton Brook State Park

149 Farms Village Road (Route 309) Simsbury, CT Phone: 860-242-1158

Wheelchair-accessible park has trout fishing, hiking, sports fields, swimming

Swimming at the upper pond along scenic Stratton Brook. See Stratton Brook State Park for full description of this park.