Michael J. Drotar Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Michael J.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Drotar Park is a 52-acre park located in the town of East Lyme, Connecticut. The park is notable for its well-maintained trails, multiple sports fields, and picturesque views of the Niantic River. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. The park also features a playground, picnic areas, and a pavilion available for rentals.

One of the main attractions of the park is its disc golf course, which is ranked as one of the top courses in Connecticut. The course features 18 holes with varying levels of difficulty, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players.

Another point of interest in the park is the quarry pond, which was once used for mining granite. The pond is now a popular spot for fishing and provides a scenic backdrop for picnics and nature walks.

The best time to visit Michael J. Drotar Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, visitors can enjoy the park year-round, as it is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

In conclusion, Michael J. Drotar Park is a beautiful and well-maintained park in Connecticut, with plenty of activities and attractions to offer visitors. Whether you're looking for a scenic hike, a challenging round of disc golf, or a relaxing picnic by the river, this park is definitely worth a visit.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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
View more

Featured Parks