Hammonasset Beach State Park
Visitor Guide
Two miles of beach on Long Island Sound, the state's biggest campground and a free nature center. Here's what it costs, when it's open, and what to know before you go.
Plan your visit →What Is Hammonasset Beach State Park?
Hammonasset Beach State Park is Connecticut's largest shoreline park: two miles of sandy beach on Long Island Sound in Madison, with the state's biggest campground, a boardwalk, and a free nature center at Meigs Point. It's run by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), open 8:00 a.m. to sunset, every day, and free to enter for cars with Connecticut plates.
Out-of-state cars pay $22 on weekends and $15 on weekdays from April 1 through October 31 (see parking). DEEP describes the waves as generally calm, and lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Hammonasset at a Glance
Things to Do at Hammonasset
Camping
558 open, grassy sites a short walk from the beach, from $20 a night for Connecticut residents. Book up to 11 months ahead.
Campground guide →Meigs Point Nature Center
Free. A touch tank, live turtles and snakes, summer canoe trips, and trails into the salt marsh. Closed Mondays.
Hours and exhibits →Swimming
Calm water on Long Island Sound, lifeguards in summer, and free beach wheelchairs. DEEP tests the water every week in season.
Water quality →Boardwalk & Bike Path
A paved path and boardwalk along the shore from West Beach to Meigs Point, easy and accessible.
Path guide →Fishing
Surfcast from the Meigs Point and West Beach jetties by day, or the whole beach at night in peak season.
Fishing rules →Picnics & Birding
Grills, picnic tables and four rentable pavilions, plus a salt marsh the National Audubon Society calls a Globally Significant Bird Area.
Park map →Getting to Hammonasset
By Car
1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT 06443. The entrance is on Route 1, near I-95. See theparking guide for fees and lots.
Summer Trolley
The free Clinton Trolley runs Friday to Sunday, Memorial Day to Labor Day, to the Middle Beach lot circle. Details on the parking page.
Park Contact
Park office (203) 245-2785. Official notices are on theDEEP page.
A Short History of Hammonasset
DEEP says the name "Hammonasset" means "where we dig holes in the ground," an Eastern Woodland Indian term for the farming land along the Hammonasset River. Friends of Hammonasset's history says the land was farmed for more than 250 years, and that the Winchester Repeating Arms Company bought it in 1898 to test rifles on the beach.
The state began buying the land in 1919, and the park opened on July 18, 1920 as Connecticut's 19th state park. More than 75,000 people came the first season. During World War II the park closed and served as an army reservation and aircraft firing range. It reopened after the war, and the stone breakwater at Meigs Point went in during 1955. The full story is on About the Park.
Rules to Know at Hammonasset
- Dogs: on a leash in picnic areas all year; on the beach September 30 to April 1 only; not in the campground during the camping season. See rules.
- On the swimming beach: no alcohol, glass, floats or fishing.
- Out-of-state parking fees are due by 10 p.m. on the day of your visit, even if the booth is closed.
- Clear the water and the beach at the first lightning or thunder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hammonasset Beach free?
Yes, for cars with Connecticut plates, all year. Out-of-state cars pay $22 on weekends and holidays and $15 on weekdays from April 1 through October 31.
Where is Hammonasset Beach State Park?
In Madison, Connecticut, on Long Island Sound. The address is 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT 06443, on Route 1 near I-95.
Can you camp at Hammonasset?
Yes. The campground has 558 sites, including eight cabins, open from late May to mid-October. Book through ReserveAmerica up to 11 months ahead. No pets.
Are dogs allowed at Hammonasset?
On a leash in the picnic areas all year, and on the beach September 30 to April 1 only. Not in the campground during the camping season.
Is Hammonasset good for swimming?
Yes. DEEP describes the waves as generally calm and the water clear, good for all ages. Lifeguards work in summer, and DEEP tests the water weekly.
How long is Hammonasset Beach?
About two miles, according to DEEP.