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4.5
414 votes

Hammonasset Beach State Park

1288 Boston Post Rd, Connecticut 06443 USA

Closed Now
Opens Mon 8a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“slumber upon Connecticut's largest public beach park”

On July 18, 1920, Hammonasset Beach State Park was opened to the public. The first season attracted over 75,000 visitors. The park's reputation drew tourists from across the continent as well as the state. During World War II, the park was closed to the public and loaned to the federal government as an army reservation. Meigs Point functioned as an aircraft range. Planes flew over Clinton Harbor, fired at the range, and then flew out over Long Island Sound. The stone breakwater at the Meigs Point end of the park was built in 1955. The stones were brought in by truck from quarries in northern New England. Today, over one million people enjoy Hammonasset Beach State Park each year. Swim in the salt water, collect shells, build a sandcastle, sunbathe, relax, and walk along the 3/4 mile boardwalk, gazing upon Long Island Sound. Launch a carry-in boat, take a canoe trip, or fish from the stone breakwater. Summer activities include nature talks, bingo, movies, horseshoes, bocce and volleyball. The children's play area offers a pirate ship, swings, and slides. Visit Meigs Point Nature Center and experience the hands-on saltwater touch tank or search for the hundreds of bird species present at the park. See displays of area flora, fauna and geology. As Connecticut's largest public beach park, Hammonasset offers over 550 grassy campsites, perfect for the nature enthusiast. Hammonasset's campground has 552 sites with many amenities, including restrooms, showers, a camp store, dump stations, and water. The Meigs Point Nature Center offers programs and activities for park visitors during the summer season.

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Reviews of Hammonasset Beach State Park

6 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.0 Access
4.0 Location
3.6 Cleanliness
3.2 Site Quality
3.4 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G/5G

Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on July 07, 2024

AT&T 5G

Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on July 19, 2022

Reviews

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Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

January 19, 2018
Rated

We didn't stay here but visited friends who were camping to avoid paying more for the cottages we stayed at across the street.

Anyway, Connecticut state parks are pretty expensive, and non-residents pay up to $45 to camp in an RV in the park. Just to visit for the day, if you have a car, costs $22 on the weekends. Or you can bike in, as we did, for free as far as day access goes.

The campground is just a series of loops where you're essentially camping in wide open grass spaces, so there's no privacy at all. The beach is walkable or an even easier bike ride, and it's certainly beautiful. There was no trash and plenty of shells to explore. We went in September and the water was already frigid. A bike path from the park was fun and shaded, wide and well-maintained, and the bathrooms were clean.

The nearby town of Madison is pretty much a postcard of what I think everyone imagines New England small towns to be, and well worth the visit if you find yourself in this park anyway.

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Nightly Rate: -

Days Stayed: -

Site Number: -

RV Type: Van

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
1 Site Quality
2 Noise

Reviewed by
Leslie Spencer

  • 83 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
January 07, 2021
Rated

We camped here in early October 2020 and enjoyed our stay. We stayed in Beach loop which I think is the best area. Large grassy sites, just beautiful. We had a 27 foot Airstream and a large tent on our site and still had a ton of room. Most of the other loops were not in use due to COVID restrictions. Easy check in process, Clean bathrooms, clean sites. Kind of a bummer that there were no fire pits but you could rent one from the campground store. Sites were level and a short walk over the dunes to the beach. Other loop sites look closer together - it is a huge park.

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Leslie Spencer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $45.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: BCH24

RV Length: 27 ft

RV Type: Travel Trailer

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

Reviewed by
Steph

  • 8 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
July 19, 2022
Rated

The sites along Beach Road are pretty spacious! Plenty of room to set up a tent next to your RV and have 2 cars parked without feeling cramped at all. Our site was a 5 minute walk to the beach, so it's easy to set up a spot on the beach early and walk back to your campsite for lunch during the day. The sunset over the beach is beautiful, there are some great local seafood spots down the road, and a cute downtown area to check out in Madison. Bring a bike to cruise around the loops throughout the park or to take a ride down a dirt walking/biking trail.

Note that the $35/night rate is for a site with electric & water hook-up for CT residents, it's $45/night if you're from out of state. Cheaper sites without hookups are available.

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Nightly Rate: $35.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: BCH027

RV Type: Other

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 5G

Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

July 28, 2022
Rated

Huge fields of campsites with little shade. If you are lucky, you might snag a larger perimeter campsite with a little privacy and a shade tree. The beach is awesome and we enjoyed kayaking. There is a smaller hidden beach to the East that is worth exploring. Our bathroom and showers were exceptional - I never tried another so I can’t report on them. We were dry camping and fortunately the temps were tolerable at night due to a light sea breeze.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $30.00

Days Stayed: -

Site Number: 28

0 Access
0 Location
0 Cleanliness
0 Site Quality
0 Noise
Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

July 07, 2024
Rated

I was reading reviews from alot of out of state visitors. ...there's alot of complaints about the sites not having shade..I don't disagree. I got sunpoison once from having no shade camping in a tent near friends in their RV. I And grew up down the street and I knew better.
I just wanted to explain most of this campground is set up for RV campers and don't have alot of shade. There is a section of the park that is designed for tents. If you see a site that says it's for RVs but you can use it for tents also that's a Pretty good indicator there's gonna be not very much shade. The area near the volleyball court and amptheater is better for tent camping.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: -

Days Stayed: 5

Site Number: -

5 Access
5 Location
3 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 5G

Reviewed by
Liz

  • 3 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
June 27, 2023
Rated 5.0

Easy to find and such a beautiful place!

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Hammonasset Beach State Park

1288 Boston Post Rd
Connecticut
06443 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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  • Check
    Parking
  • Unavailable
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
Max Stay
21
Max Length
50 ft
Season End
September
Affiliation
State park or forest
Sites Count
558
Season Start
April
Last Nightly Rate
30.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
30.0
Back In RV Sites Count
20
Pull Through RV Sites Count
275
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
27 ft
  • Check
    Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Check
    Showers
  • Check
    Big Rigs
  • Check
    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
  • Check
    Fifty Amp
  • Unavailable
    Slide Outs
  • Check
    Tent Sites
  • Check
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Paved Sites
  • Check
    Dump Station
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
  • Check
    Public Water
  • Check
    Pull Through
  • Check
    Reservations
  • Unavailable
    Sewer Hookup
  • Check
    Water Hookup
  • Check
    Potable Water
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
  • Check
    Open Seasonally
  • Unavailable
    Permit Required
  • Check
    Back In RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
  • Check
    Standard Tent Sites
  • Check
    Pull Through RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Vehicle Wash Permitted
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