Your Beach Guide: Beaches You Can Get to in and Near Connecticut

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Connecticut residents can boast about our beaches and Travel + Leisure has ranked one beach in the top 25 in the United States.

The travel magazine included Ocean Beach Park in New London in its list.

See the full Travel + Leisure list here.

Of course, Ocean Beach is just one of many beaches in the state. There are several great beaches and swimming areas here and in nearby states that you can get to within a couple of hours.

DEEP Shoreline Beaches in Connecticut

There are several Connecticut beaches to choose from.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection oversees four shoreline beaches:

Other Beaches and Swimming Areas in CT

New York Beaches

Long Island, New York offers many beaches.

More About CT State Parks, Forests

Connecticut has 110 state parks and 32 state forests and you can learn about them here.

The governor’s office said Connecticut also manages 117 boat launches across the state, on ponds, lakes, rivers and Long Island Sound.

Passport to the Parks: Free Parking

The Passport to the Parks program allows visitors in Connecticut-registered vehicles to enter without paying any parking fee.

ParkConneCT Launch – Free Public Transportation to Seven State Parks

DEEP and the Connecticut Department of Transportation are expanding the ParkConneCT program, providing public transit options to Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands, Fort Trumbull, Osbornedale, Indian Well, Sleeping Giant and Sherwood Island State Parks. They said this is a free service from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Seasonal Jobs Available

The state is still looking to fill seasonal jobs, including lifeguards.

The governor’s office said lifeguard positions are still available at Black Rock State Park in Watertown, Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, Indian Well State Park in Shelton, Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, and Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield.

Apply by June 17 online here.

Other seasonal jobs are available as well here.

Campground Reservations

State park and forest campgrounds are booked for Memorial Day weekend, but you can get reservations for the rest of the summer online through Reserve America or by calling 1-877-668-CAMP (2267).

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