Diverse trails within the park provide easy and interesting walks to the scenic salt marsh and to such points of interest as Baker's Cave, Tony's Nose, and Shipyard. The variety of trails pass sandy beach, many picnic areas, active train tracks, and salt marshes. Rocky Neck State Park has a variety of wildlife including ospreys, cranes, herons, and other waterfowl. A road closed to traffic provides excellent walking and bicycling access from the campgrounds to the beach and the trail system.
Bounded on the west by a tidal river and to the east by a broad salt marsh, Rocky Neck was known to both Native Americans and colonists as a place of abundant fish and wildlife. Today, high spring tides allow schools of alewives (herring) to swim into Bride Brook toward inland spawning grounds. The osprey, or fish hawk, is a frequent early summer visitor. In the fall, cranes, herons and mute swans wade among cattails and rose mallow. Seasonal changes provide opportunities to fish for mackerel, striped bass, blackfish and flounder.
This CT State Park provide free access to All Terrain Wheelchairs. Reservations to use the all-terrain wheelchairs must be made at least four days in advance through Reserve America. First-time users are required to watch a brief training video, prior to making their reservation. Upon arrival for their reservation, users must provide a valid state photo ID and sign a waiver.
For full details visit the CT State Parks All-Terrain Wheelchairs web page. If visitors need assistance navigating the website, please contact the State Parks Division at deep.stateparks@ct.gov or 860-424-3200.
Located on Long Island Sound in the town of East Lyme, 710-acre Rocky Neck is a popular recreation spot. The public now enjoys use of the park because of a few farsighted conservationists who secured the land in 1931, using their personal funds until the State Legislature authorized its purchase.
The historic stone Ellie Mitchell Pavilion dominates the park's western shoreline. In the 1930's, relief agencies constructed the curved masonry building of native materials and crafted supporting pillars with wood cut from each of the state parks and forests.
Current information on swimming water quality.
This park is managed by the following CT DEEP Park Headquarters:
From I-95, take Exit 72. Follow the turnpike connector south to Route 156. Turn left onto Route 156 for 1/4 mile to the park. The park street address is 244 West Main Street (Route 156).
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