Hammonasset Beach State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hammonasset Beach State Park is located in Madison, Connecticut and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state.
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Summary
The park is situated on a two-mile-long beach and offers a variety of activities for visitors.
One of the main reasons to visit Hammonasset Beach State Park is for its beautiful beach. The park features a long stretch of sand perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. There are also numerous picnic areas, restrooms, and changing facilities for visitors.
In addition to the beach, the park has several points of interest to see. Visitors can explore the Meigs Point Nature Center, which features exhibits on the wildlife and ecology of the area. There are also several hiking trails in the park, including the Shoreline Greenway Trail, which offers stunning views of the beach and Long Island Sound.
Interesting facts about the area include its history as a Native American settlement and its use as a military training ground during World War II. The park was established in the 1920s and has since become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families.
The best time of year to visit Hammonasset Beach State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the beach is open for swimming. However, the park is open year-round and offers hiking and other activities during the fall and winter months.
Overall, Hammonasset Beach State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Connecticut. Its beautiful beach, natural attractions, and historical significance make it a unique and memorable experience for all visitors.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Natural Area Preserve Hammonasset
Waterside Green Park
Liberty Green
Madison Green
Town Open Space (magna Lane)