Hammonasset State Park, a Connecticut State Park located nearby Branford, Clinton and East Haven

HAMMONASSET STATE PARK

HAMMONASSET STATE PARK
1288 Boston Post Road P.O. Box 271
Madison, Connecticut 06443

Phone: 203-245-1817
Toll Free: 866-287-2757
Reservations: 203-245-2785
Email:

Hammonasset State Park

website

Hammonasset State Park

website

Hammonasset State Park
'Bridge Walk'
© Copyright 2008 - Rick Olszewski

website

Hammonasset State Park

Hammonasset State Park
'Beach View'
© Copyright 2008 - Rick Olszewski

website

Hammonasset State Park

Hammonasset State Park
'Ocean View'
© Copyright 2008 - Rick Olszewski

website

Hammonasset State Park

Hammonasset State Park
'Ocean View'
© Copyright 2008 - Rick Olszewski

website

Hammonasset State Park

Hammonasset State Park
'Ocean View'
© Copyright 2008 - Rick Olszewski

website

Hammonasset State Park

Hammonasset State Park
'Hammonasset State Park'

website

Boardwalk

Hammonasset State Park
'Hammonasset State Park'

website

Sunset

Hammonasset State Park
'Great White Egert'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

At low tide, Great White Egerts hunt for food in the salt marshes.

Hammonasset State Park
'Salt Water Marsh'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

A Great White Egert flies above the salt water marsh.

Hammonasset State Park
'Kiters'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

Diverse kite designs fly freely in the breeze. Quite the spectacle.

Hammonasset State Park
'ConnectiKITERS'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

The Kite Club needs a steady breeze to keep their kites aloft.

Hammonasset State Park
'Octapus Kite'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

A Connecticut kite club flies their inventions at a field in the park.

Hammonasset State Park
'Sunrise at Megs Piont'
© James Guy Hebert

website

Sunrise at Hammonasset State Park By James Hebert

Hammonasset State Park
'Hammonasset '
© James Guy Hebert

website

Sunset at Hammonasset State Park By James Hebert

Hammonasset State Park
'Sun about to set'

Hammonasset State Park

Hammonasset State Park
'Hammonasset State Park'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

Hammonasset State Park
'Crashing Waves'
© All photos copyright Carrie Weeks Photography and may not be reproduced without permission.

website

Hammonasset State Park
'Evening stroll'
© c Angela Hansen Photography

website

Even in the winter, Hammonasset can be a beautiful place to stretch your legs and breathe fresh air

A visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park, is more than just another day at the beach. Connecticut's largest shoreline park offers over 2 miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or just relaxing in the sun and surf.

History of the Area

"Hammonasset" means, "where we dig holes in the ground" and refers to the place where a settlement of eastern woodland Indians farmed along the Hammonasset River. They subsisted on corn, beans, and squash, and by fishing and hunting. The first colonists arrived in 1639. Property changed hands frequently between Native Americans and the first colonists.

In 1898 the Winchester Repeating Arms Company bought Hammonasset and used it as a testing site for their new rifle. Their Lee Straight Pull rifle was mounted on a horse drawn stone boat, from which it was fired into targets on the beach.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 come annually enjoy to Hammonasset Beach State Park.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

Day-UseFishingyes

Hiking Trailyes

Swimming Beachyes

BoatingLaunch Rampsyes

CampingPrimativeyes

Electric Sitesyes

WinterActivitiesyes

Camping

As Connecticut's largest public beach park, Hammonasset offers over 550 grassy campsites perfect for the nature enthusiast..

Area Accommodations

Tidewater Inn Bed and Breakfast - Madison, CT

BBs / Inns

Located in the shoreline village of Madison, CT, the Inn offers a cozy and elegant atmosphere of antiques and estate furniture.

Web Site: http://www.thetidewater.com/

Captain Stannard Bed and Breakfast Country Inn - Westbrook , CT

BBs / Inns

Located along the CT Shoreline midway between New York City and Boston, and only one hour from Hartford, with tons of local attractions both on the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River.

Web Site: http://www.stannardhouse.com/

Accommodation Availability Calendars


	click here to search are reserve.....


	click here to search are reserve.....

Boats and RVs

Rent My Camper.com, Inc - Shirley, NY

Motor Home Campers

We'll Hook You Up with all the comforts of home including heat and AC. We deliver, setup and pickup. Our campers sleep up to 10. Just bring your food and clothes we've covered everything else, even clean linens and towels Camper is supplied with pots, pans, plates, bowls, cups, utensils, all your kitchen needs.

Web Site: http://www.rentmycamper.com

Get directions
to this park:

Nearby Parks

Chatfield Hollow State Park

Higganum Reservoir State Park

George Dudley Seymour State Park

Haddam Meadows State Park

Haddam Island State Park

Selden Neck State Park

Gillette Castle State Park

Millers Pond State Park

Brainard Homestead State Park

Rocky Neck State Park

Area Attractions

Meigs Point Nature Center

The Meigs Point Nature Center offers programs and activities for park visitors during the summer season. The Center is normally open from late June to Labor Day Weekend, Tuesday - Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For information on programs, please contact staff at (203) 245-8743. To visit the Nature Center, bear to the left at the access road rotary, go halfway around the rotary and follow the signs toward Meigs Point. The Center is on the left across from the Meigs Point bathhouse. Parking is available near the building.

Please note that the Nature Center telephone number is seasonal. After Labor Day Weekend, calls should be directed to the main park number, (203) 245-2785.

Things To Do in the Area

RiverQuest-Connecticut River Expeditions - Haddam, CT

Boating

Explore the Connecticut River aboard the R/V River Quest, an environmentally friendly 64', 60 passenger vessel docked at Eagle Landing State Park, Haddam, CT.

Web Site: http://www.ctriverquest.com

CT Bike Tours.Com, LLC - Guilford, CT

Family Outting

Our Shoreline Bike Boat Tour is a leisurely paced guided ride along the coast on gently rolling hills. We combine it with a narrated 45 minute boat tour of the lovely Thimble Islands. If you have your own bikes and helmets, bring them. Custom guided rides are also available. Minimum age allowed is 16 yrs. old. The bicycle guide, boat tour, bikes, helmets and refreshments are all provided, all you need is your energy

Web Site: http://www.ctbiketours.com/

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

July 24

have camped here off n on since 1941(time off for ww2)have seem many changes over the years. receent rise in fees has put this wonderful park out of reach to many people, and you dont get much in services for the high price( NO HOOKUPS WHATSO EVER)only 5 handicap sites out of 550? only the stste could get away with that!!

July 24

Went there recently to East beach and people were running from there because of an infestation of horseflies!!! Would not recommend!! Was very unhappy and had to go to another state beach!!

July 28 Fun for years by Glenn

Everyone can find something fun to do such as fish,hike,swim or just relax and enjoy the great views!

June 23 Disappointed by Luvofdubes

My boyfriend and I went camping here for the first time, and were disappointed that we had to rent a fire pit. We had gone expecting each site to have one such as Wolf Den in Pomfret. Other than that, our weekend was lovely.

March 31 Grew up there as a kid

My parents took us every summer there for a week... we loved it .. I am now thinking of taking my children that are 16 and 14 ...

February 12 ONE OF our FAVORITE places by dmoneypit00

Kids love it plenty of open space to run, bike and jump. Teenagers can ride bikes to McDonalds, Duncan Donuts. Parents can relax.

June 15

May 28 Great for the kids to ride their bikes! by Cheffrito

All campsites are on circular roads, which is nice for the kids to ride their bikes securely. Bathrooms are very clean for showers, camp store right next to beach! Luv it!!!!!!!!!!! Trailers have more than enough room for optional kitchen tents to set up.

Area Campgrounds

Riverdale Farm Campsites 111 River Road Clinton, CT 860-669-5388	Wolf's Den Campground 256 Town Street East Haddam, CT 860-873-9681
Aces High RV Park 301 Chesterfield Road East Lyme, CT	Camp Niantic-By-The-Atlantic 271 West Main Street Niantic, CT 860-739-9308
Totoket Valley RV Park 244 Foxon Road North Branford, CT 203-484-0099	Eastern Long Island Kampground 690 Queen Street Greenport, NY 631-477-0022

View
Photo Gallery

Share Your
Hammonasset State Park
Photos
(click here)

Weather Forecast, (06413)

Directions

From the north/Hartford area: take I-91 south to Route 9 south. Off Route 9, take Exit 9. Turn right (south) onto Route 81; continue down Route 81 until you run into I-95. Turn right onto I-95 entrance ramp and go approximately 1 mile to Exit 62, then turn left off the exit. Head south 1 mile down Hammonasset connector, go straight through the light crossing Route 1 (Boston Post Road) into the park.

From the south area: take I-95 north, Exit 62. Take a right off the exit ramp onto Hammonasset I-95 connector. Park entrance will be 1 mile ahead.

From the east/Rhode Island area: take I-395 south onto I-95 south, Exit 62. Take a left off the exit and go approximately 1 mile. Go straight through the traffic light crossing Route 1 (Boston Post Road).

From the west/New York area: take I-95 north, Exit 62. Take a right off the exit and go approximately 1 mile. Go straight through the traffic light crossing Route 1 (Boston Post Road) into the park.