ALERT: Rocky Neck State Park trails are impacted by fires. Visit the Rocky Neck State Park page for updates on closures.
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 gently sloping trails offer soft sandy beach, picnic areas, train watching, diverse trail systems and salt marsh viewing platforms. This trail has a variety of wildlife including ospreys, cranes, and herons and other waterfowl. A road closed to traffic provides excellent walking and bicycling access from the campgrounds to the beach and 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.
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 Exit 72 off I-95, follow the turnpike connector south to Route 156. Turn left and take Route 156 east for 1/4 mile to the park. The park street address is 244 West Main Street (Route 156).
Trails are currently impacted and potentially closed due to fires. Check the details tab for more information.
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