Hammonasset Rules & Regulations

Dogs are allowed at Hammonasset, but not everywhere. DEEP allows leashed dogs in the picnic areas all year, on the beach only from September 30 to April 1, and never in the campground while it's open. On the swimming beach, DEEP bans alcohol, glass, pets, flotation toys, snorkels and fishing.

Dogs at Hammonasset

DEEP sets the dog rules area by area on its Hammonasset page:

• Picnic areas: dogs on a leash, all year.
• Beach: September 30 to April 1 only. That keeps dogs off the sand for the whole summer swimming season.
• Campground: DEEP's park page lists Columbus Day to May 1 for pets. That's when the campground is closed, so in practice no dogs camp here. DEEP's camping pages say flatly that pets are not allowed in the campground.

Bring bags and use them. Friends of Hammonasset stocks pet-waste stations with Mutt Mitts along park trails and common areas. On summer days, DEEP warns that the paved trails get hot enough to hurt paws, so walk dogs early or late.

Where DEEP allows dogs in its campgrounds elsewhere, it caps them at two per site on a leash no longer than seven feet, with proof of rabies vaccination. That's a good standard for any visit with a dog.

Beach and Swimming Rules

DEEP's guidelines for its state park beaches apply at Hammonasset:

• No alcoholic drinks, glass, pets or nudity.
• No flotation devices. Only approved life jackets.
• No snorkels.
• No rough play, no sand or rock throwing, and no throw-and-catch games.
• No soap or shampoo in the water.
• No fishing at the swimming beach.
• Keep the area around the lifeguard chair clear, and stay off buoys and lines.
• When you see lightning or hear thunder, clear the water and the beach.

Swim only in the marked areas, and where you can see a lifeguard. DEEP says lifeguard coverage on any day depends on the season, the time of day and staffing. Hours are on Hours & Fees.

Campground Rules

• No pets.
• Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Alcohol in containers under one liter is allowed in state park campgrounds unless a park posts a ban.
• No fireworks, including sparklers.
• Fires only in a raised fire pit you bring or rent; sites have no fire rings. No outside firewood.
• Up to six people and two vehicles per site; 21 nights in a row at most.
• No firearms, archery equipment or other weapons.

Full booking and cabin rules are on our camping page, and the DEEP camping rules are the source of record.

Fishing Rules

In peak season, daytime fishing (8 a.m. to sunset) is allowed only from the Meigs Point jetty and the West Beach jetty. Night fishing is allowed along the whole beach in peak season, but not in the off-season. Anglers 16 and older need a marine waters fishing license from Connecticut, or from Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island or New York, which Connecticut honors. More on our fishing page.

Boating and Paddling

Canoes and kayaks launch from the car-top boat launch on the east side of the Meigs Point jetty. Connecticut requires life jackets from October 1 to May 31, and children under 12 must wear one all year.

Hours, Trails and Groups

• The park is open 8:00 a.m. to sunset, every day. Only campers and anglers stay later, from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
• DEEP's map says every trail and foot path in the park is non-motorized and multi-use.
• Buses seating 30 or more need a DEEP bus permit.
• Out-of-state cars must pay the parking fee by 10 p.m. on the day of the visit, even if the booth was closed, or risk a $75 ticket.

Check Before You Go

DEEP sets and changes these rules. Its park page and posted signs win over anything here.