A Local Beach Guide
Due to the Pandemic 2020, many local beaches are limiting beach rights to their local residents; however, state beaches are open to the public so be sure to check out websites for new rules and regulations due to COVID 19 before heading to a beach. All beaches and lakes are officially open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Fees apply to most beaches and lakes. If you have information on a local beach or lake that is not on the list, please e-mail with details at sandrakm@macaronikdi.com. For a complete listing to beaches in the state go to: http://www.visitconnecticut.com and for lakes: http://www.ct.gov/deep
Admission fees and days of operation are subject to change.
Bridgeport:
Seaside Park
1 Barnum Dyke
Bridgeport
Parking Fee: $20 for out-of-town day pass
$40.00 for out-of-state day pass
With its 325 acres of lush lawns, shady glades and sports fields rolling toward Long Island Sound, Seaside Park is a park without peer on the Eastern Seaboard. Visitors are delighted by the beaches, surf and sunshine along three miles of sparkling coastline. Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
*Pleasure Beach (Opens June 28th)
Bridgeport
Accessible by water taxi at Seaside Avenue, Bridgeport
After being closed for nearly two decades, Pleasure Beach is back! Pleasure Beach will open on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. and will close at 6:00 p.m. The peninsula will be accessible seven days a week via free water taxi, which will pick beach goers up at the fishing pier located on Seaview Avenue near its intersection with Central Avenue.
Two water taxis -- the 23 passenger Lewis H. Latimer and the 18 passenger Gustave Whitehead -- will run frequently from the fishing pier on Seaview Avenue to the T-Pier on Pleasure Beach.
Upon arrival on the T-Pier on Pleasure Beach, it’s about a half-mile walk along a boardwalk to the beach area. While en route, visitors will pass an info depot where beach goers will be able to ask questions and gain more information about the park. After passing the info depot, visitors will come upon a pavilion and relaxation area that includes several bathrooms, showers, picnic tables and a limited concession stand. And, after walking through the pavillion area, beach goers will walk down a boardwalk and onto the beautiful beach.
*More information to follow as it becomes available
Fairfield:
Lake Mohegan
960 Morehouse Highway
Fairfield
Large beach like area with sand – umbrellas are a must not much shade. There is a sprinkler park for kids, playground and concession stand, picnic area and restrooms.
Parking at the lake is free but there is an admission fee to access lake $6-$15 per person depending on age and day you visit.
Jennings Beach
880 South Benson Road
Fairfield
Parking Fee: $20 on weekdays and $50 on weekends
The largest of Fairfield’s Beaches, this 27 acre site offers visitors a large sandy beach with great views of Long Island Sound. It is handicapped accessible with a concession stand, bathroom facilities, volleyball poles and sailboat racks.
Penfield Beach
323 Fairfield Beach Road
Fairfield
Parking Fee: $20.00 weekdays and $50 weekends
Penfield Beach is a 3.5 acre beachfront property that is a favorite for many Fairfielders. A great place to swim and sun along the Long Island Sound, it offers a long stretch of sandy beach.
Milford:
Walnut Beach
113 East Broadway
Milford
Parking fee: $5-$15 for non residents
Walnut Beach is a great place to spend the day strolling along the edge of the Long Island Sound, fishing from the pier, or swimming in the beautiful ocean. S Visitors have a view of Charles Island from this site. The site provides ample parking. Non-Residents visiting Walnut Beach must park in Lot #4 located in the rear of the main parking lot. Parking fee is $5 for non residents. Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Silver Sands State Park
East Broadway
Milford
Fee: No parking fee
“Could Captain Kidd really have buried his treasure on Charles Island in 1699? Visit Silver Sands for a fun-filled day in the sun and make up your own mind about this legend.
A beautiful boardwalk to beach, no concession stands. Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hawley Beach
Beach Avenue and Wall Street
Milford
Fee: No parking fee
A beautiful small stretch of beach with a small playground across the street near parking lot. The playground is fenced in which is nice for the little ones. If you go on the weekend/holidays – arrive early as parking is very limited. Open sunset to sundown. No concession stands or restrooms.
Monroe
Great Hollow Lake
454 Purdy Hill Road
Monroe
Manmade lake, sand playground, concession stand, picnic area, fishing area, trail, and restrooms. Parking fee applies
Shelton
4 Indian Well Road
Shelton
Picnic, boat, swim, hike
Fees: Weekdays $6 for residents, $9 for residents. Weekends $9 residents, $15 non residents
Stratford:
Short Beach
1 Dorne Drive
Stratford
Parking fee: $20 per day
Short Beach is located adjacent to the mouth of the Housatonic River, and is an excellent example of multiple use planning that provides recreation for citizens of all ages. There are picnic areas, calisthenics course, playground and Stratford’s largest sand box! Concession stand and showers are located on the beach. Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Long Beach
Oak Bluff Road
Stratford
Parking fee: $20 per day
Long Beach, approximately 1.5 miles in length, is Stratford's coastal barrier beach lying between the waters of Long Island Sound and the Lewis Gut. The beach is easily reached by car (parking permit required from May 31st until Labor Day), and is located at the end of Oak Bluff Road in the Lordship section of Stratford.
Fees/hours for all beaches are subject to change.
Westport:
Sherwood Island State Park
Parking fee: $9 Connecticut Residents, $15 non residents on weekdays ($13 for residents and $22 for non residents on weekends).
Connecticut's first state park is still one of its finest. Have a leisurely lunch in the shade of the picnic grove, swim in Long Island sound, or view marsh life from the observation platform at Sherwood Island. It is handicapped accessible with a concession stand, bathroom, picnic grounds, etc.