Heads up, CT Residents,

Did you know with a Connecticut license plate you have free access to state parks? Well technically, we pay for it with taxes, but you're welcome in and out of our state parks without any charge. And that means there's no excuse not to stop in one of the many state parks that dot the Connecticut Shoreline.

Hammonasset State Park

With beaches, hiking, bike rentals, camping, fishing, picnicking, scuba diving, boating, Meigs Point Nature Center and concessions, Hammonasset State Park is one of our favorites.

Meigs Point Nature Center

Meigs Point Nature Center is an exciting environmental learning center open to all ages at the Hammonasset Beach State Park. Run by the Department of Environmental Protection, Meigs Point Nature Center offers educational programs, events, and even birthday parties. Stop in to see the Nature Center's variety of native animals, including: turtles, snakes, amphibians, crabs, fish and their Touch Tank.

Annual Events at Meigs Point Nature Center

Guided Canoe Trips
Fireside Stories
Stargazing
Night Hike and Owl Prowl
Early Morning Bird Walks
Seal Search
Sunset Beachcombing
Special Programming for School Vacations

Selden Neck State Park

The Selden Neck State Park is only accessible by boat. Cut off from the mainland in the 1850s, Selden Neck has spent the better part of 160 years on its own as the largest island in the Connecticut River. Originally a farm and stone quarry, this unique park offers four boating camp site areas. Today the 607 acre island is uninhabited and roadless, making it the perfect area to hike a explore. A marked trail begins near the Quarry Knob camp site and leads to the quarry area in the southeast part of the island. The trail encounters the old causeway, built to transfer the granite stones from the quarry face to the shoreline for shipment. Another trail extends northwest to the ruins of old farm buildings and a well.

Chatfield Hollow State Park

Stop by Chatfield Hollow State Park and hike the trails in search of Indian caves, explore the jagged rocky ledges and recesses, relax by the cooling waters, or picnic in the soft pine woods. Chatfield Hollow is also home to a trout stocked lake, just make sure and pick up your fresh water fishing license before baiting your hook.

Rocky Neck State Park

Located on Long Island Sound in the town of East Lyme, 710-acre Rocky Neck is the perfect recreation spot. The historic stone Ellie Mitchell Pavilion dominates the park's western shoreline, and is constructed with native materials and crafted supporting pillars with wood cut from each of the state parks and forest. The park is also home to clear waters and a stone-free beach with white sand make it ideal for swimming. You’ll also find camping, hiking, and wildlife.

Gillette Castle

Gillette Castle State Park, a top the most southerly hill in a chain known as the Seven Sisters, William Hooker Gillette, noted actor, director, and playwright, built this one hundred and eighty-four acre estate, the Seventh Sister. The focal point of his effort was a twenty four room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle.

Fort Trumbell State Park

Get an interactive history lesson at the visitor's center, or just walk the Fort and ramparts for a view of the Thames River, a visit to Fort Trumbull has something for everyone including a boardwalk and fishing pier.

6 State Parks on the Shoreline