- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Hammonasset State Park
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for Hammonasset State Park
I love Hammonasset. My fiance and I go there every summer to camp for Memorial Day, 4th of July Week and Labor Day. The camp sites mostly have no trees or one or 2, but big fields in the middle of each section so you can play games. There are modern bathrooms, so you can shower everyday for free and they clean them daily. The only bad thing is there is no soap, and if you bring your own the clean crew takes it away. you are only allowed 2 vehicles at once on a spot, and visitors can park in the lot til 10pm. I do not think dogs are allowed.
The beach is really nice, although it is getting smaller and smaller. They have food shacks with hot dogs and hamburgers if you don't want to bring a grill or pack lunch. There are picnic tables right off the beach so you can enjoy a family meal. Meag's point is really cool, there is also a nature center down that end of the beach. Sometimes there are jelly fish, they will warn you before entering the park.
This is where my fiance proposed to me :)
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (2)
For the eastern sea board this is a great place.
I taught a 5 year old how to meditate here and he got it. Like, really got it.
After a few seconds of breathing with eye's closed he exclaimed "it's ok, everything's ok, there's nothing to worry about. I don't need to worry about things". Need I say more?
it's a pretty beach with a cool walking path. I like to climb down to the rocks and climb and jump my way to the end.
there's also good paved ways for rollerblading (but I am probably the only person left on earth who still does that)
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (1)
Hammonasset is much more than just a beach - with its camping, hiking, biking, nature center, outdoor pavillions, kite flying, snack bars, and more and more .. its a really cool place to go in the winter for a nice walk on the boardwalk or to sit in the sand and catch some rays. In the winter its peaceful, cold, but still a nice respite from the bustle of modern life.. usually we end up here a dozen times over the summer and its always nice.
sometimes it does get VERY buggy - but after all, it is a beach situated on a marsh full of insects. last year we were swarmed by dragonflys. i mean like hundreds, it was amazing and creepy like out of The Birds, but with dragonflys.
People thought this was:
- Funny (1)
The largest beach in Connecticut, how can it not get 5 stars. Sure it gets crowed it the summer but the beach is long enough so if you walk a bit you still can find a place for your self. There is a great broad walk to take a hike on and a great nature center for the kids as well as views of Faulkner's island on a clear day. Meigs point is great place for everyone, including a place to launch or land kayaks. Throw in a couple of concessions stands for crummy food and several huge parking lots and a campground and you have the best beach in all of Connecticut.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
Just got back from here last week, it is the second time I've camped at this campground. Overall it is a very nice place. Out of the hundreds of camp sites there are very few that aren't ideal.
There are both wooded and sunny sites, although there are many more sunny sites. Most of the sunny sites do have trees for some offering of shade at some point of the day. Yet because the campground is so close to the shore there are generally cooling breezes.
Not all sites have electric hook up, but there are outlets in the bathrooms (for charging cell phones, and one woman actually brewed her coffee every morning). The campground is well maintained, fire pits at each site, but you must bring something to burn a fire in. No open ground fires.
There is an outdoor, walk-up movie arena, which plays movies a few times a week. Volley ball net set up. Kiddie playground and camp store for snacks, ice cream, ice, and other forgotten items.
I would have given five stars, but this trip I thought the bathrooms were not kept as clean as the last time I camped here. Oh, and the showers are an adventure. You must push the water knob every 20 seconds because it is self regulated. At first it takes a little getting used to, but really is not a big deal, sounds worse than it actually is.
I like camping in the farther section of the campground because there are fewer sites, which means there are typically less people on the beach in this area. There are two campground beach accesses, the one at the other end, near Podunk, is also near one of the public, day-use access, therefore there are many more people to contend with for beach space.
If it ever clears up, I'm going there once a week, as I always do. Crowded on weekends, but during the week, it's manageable, especially if you go to Meigs Point and walk away from the madding crowd a bit.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
Pretty nice. If you like a park at the beach, which I do.
We've been a number of times - one time it was packed, once it was a quieter day (more uncertain weather). But there's always been plenty of room to park and plenty of space on the sand. It's not as packed as Jones Beach, or even Island Beach State Park, in New Jersey.
It is the Sound, so the water is incredibly calm but it's great for kids and older folks and you can really stay in for a long time.
The landscape is pretty, I like the little walking/jogging trail (which has never been over-crowded and is esp. nice off season), the roses, the rocks at the far end . . . I find it hard to walk on the actual beach here, the sand is very soft, and pebble-y.
I almost forgot: STINGING BLACK FLIES. The first time we went, there was wind from the marshes and the flies were unbearable. The second time, due to winds off the ocean, we didn't see any. We also brought bug spray.
Oh yeah, and the pavilions, with picnic tables in the shade (East Beach), and changing rooms and showers and a snack bar (open part of the day) all come in handy.
All in all, an easy place to have a quiet day on the beach.
UPDATE: On our latest trip, we arrived a little late on a beautiful day and only the West Beach had parking available. Much more crowded and hectic, but fun, with fine facilities. Stiff breeze off the water meant some little waves and not even the suggestion of flies.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
Coming from the west coast it's just hard to compare apples and oranges...but...as far as oranges go, Hammonasset State Park is a large, deep colored one!!
It's CT's largest beach and houses over 2 miles of shoreline....you can enjoy swimming, bicycling, camping, picnicking, salt water fishing...!
I've camped here once or twice and sat on the beach in the summer...as far as CT goes...it's a great location for soaking up the sun. There are different park entrance fees depending on the time of the year so it's always best to look into it prior to arrival. You might also need to call ahead if you want a great spot at which to pitch yer tent.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
I love camping here! We used to come at least once every summer to camp when I was growing up, and more just to go to the beach. There are some especially great sites if you know your way around and book in advance. The bathrooms are usually pretty clean - very bare bones, but clean. Long lines in the mornings though, but I think that's true of most campgrounds. The roads are great for biking, and there are some nice off road trails. The nature center is really fun, a good rainy day activity. The beach itself is huge, and a short walk or bike ride away from the campground. I don't particularly like that the sand is very gravelly, but it's okay. Lots of jellyfish at times, but in general, there's little to bother you when you are swimming. There are lots of families and kids - I made several friends when I was younger and camping here (and met my first boyfriend!). I love camping here - there's nothing better than falling asleep to the sound of the waves. For that matter, you can of course do the same thing laying on a blanket on the beach :)
