Rocky Neck State Park

Rocky Neck State Park spans 710 acres of unspoiled natural beauty near the town of East Lyme, Connecticut, on the Long Island Sound. It was purchased in 1931 by local conservationists who were determined to preserve it as an undeveloped area.

Attractions

Rocky Neck boasts one of the area's largest beaches. With white sand and clear, calm water, it is perfect for a day of swimming and sunbathing. For people wishing to spend more than a day at the park, camping is available, with 160 wooded and open campsites within walking distance of the beach. Bathroom facilities and food concessions are also available. A multitude of trails wind through the park, leading to various points of interest, including Tony's Nose and Baker's Cave. These two caves were once a hiding place for Tory sympathizers during the Revolutionary War. Overlooking the beach is a large stone pavilion, built in the 1930s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is available for hire year-round.

Wildlife

Bounded by a salt marsh and tidal river, Rocky Neck attracts both migratory and resident birds, including herons, cranes, egrets and osprey. High tides encourage schools of herring to swim through Bride Brook towards inland spawning grounds. Throughout the year, fishing is very popular, due to the abundance of flounder, striped bass, mackerel and blackfish.

Directions

Rocky Neck State Park is accessed by taking Exit 72 off Interstate 95. This leads to the Rocky Neck Connector. Parking costs $9 for Connecticut residents on weekends and holidays, while non-residents are charged $14. Weekday parking costs $7 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

Rocky Neck State Park is the perfect destination for a day trip or a weekend camping vacation. It offers a variety of things to do for young and old alike, and it is one of the area's most popular and unspoiled parks.