Campground Details - ROCKY NECK STATE PARK, CT - ReserveAmerica

Description

700-acre Rocky Neck State Park features 1/2 mile of crescent-shaped sandy beach. Rocky Neck's varied terrain offers something for everyone. Clear waters and the stone-free beach with expanses of white sand make it ideal for swimming. 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. Picnickers enjoy the large stone pavilion. Bounded on the west by a tidal river and to the east by a broad salt marsh, Rocky Neck was known to both Indians and colonists as a place of abundant fish and wildlife, and today, the large marine estuary that bisects the park provides saltwater fishing opportunities, and high spring tides allow schools of alewives (herring) to swim into Bride Brook, toward inland spawning grounds. Osprey, cranes, and herons wade among cattails and rose mallow, and fishermen may catch mackerel, striped bass, blackfish, or flounder.

Geography:

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. 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.

Recreation:

There are 5 miles of hiking trails on the western side of the park, as well as ocean-side picnic areas. Other activities include a wildlife viewing platform, interpretive programs, scuba diving, saltwater swimming and fishing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, rollerblading, and camping.

Facilities:

Rocky Neck Campground offers 160 sites in both open and wooded settings. The camping season begins in May and ends September 30. Additional park facilities include restrooms, food concessions, group picnic pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, drinking water, paved and gravel parking, and pay telephones.

Nearby Attractions:

Nearby attractions include Bluff Point State Park and Coastal Reserve, Devil's Hopyard State Park, Haley Farm State Park, Hammonasset Beach State Park, and Harkness Memorial State Park.

Services & Amenities:

Within Facility
ADA Accessible Beach Combing Beach Wheelchair Beach With Lifeguards Biking - Road Bird Watching Concession Stand Dishwashing Station Dump Station Fire Rings Fishing - Ocean Flush Toilet Hiking Historic Sites Ice Machine Interpretive Programs Mountain Biking Nature Center	Nature Trail Orienteering Course Parking Photography Pit Toilet Public Drinking Water Taps Ranger Station Recycling Center Restroom Saltwater Scenic Overlook Scuba Diving Showers Swimming Walking Water Drinking Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
Camping Supplies Church Fishing Supplies Grocery Store	Hospital Laundry Restaurant
Greater Than 10 Miles
Gambling Facilities	Tourist Attractions

Alerts and Important Information

You can now make a reservation for the day before your arrival and up until 11 months in advance. If you make your reservation within 7 days of your arrival you can book a 1 night stay on the weekends. The maximum length of stay is twenty-one consecutive days. If you have a 21 day reservation, all members of your camping party and your camping equipment must leave the park for 5 days before you can return.

In an effort to protect Connecticut's forests from the introduction and spread of destructive insect pests - in particular the emerald ash borer and Asian long-horned beetle - the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is taking the following action:

Prohibiting the bringing of firewood into state of Connecticut campgrounds and state parks from other states. As an alternative, firewood can be either purchased at the camp stores within the state campgrounds or at local retail sellers of firewood.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection greatly appreciates the public's assistance in helping to protect the state's natural resources and apologizes for any inconvenience this initiative may cause.
Pets are not permitted in the campground.

Additional information can be found at the following address.
CT State Parks (DEP) or Friends of Connecticut State Parks

General Camping Information
Explore the natural and cultural histories of Connecticut State Parks and Forests through interpretation! Interpretive events are listed on the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's website. Take a hike, meet a snake, learn about forest heroes, and more! Follow this link to the DEP's Calendar of Events. Perform a "Keyword" search for this park/forest and then join a program. Additional programs may be offered, so be sure to check with the campground staff. For additional information please call the DEP Division of State Parks at 860-424-3200. Find interpretive programs: http://dep.state.ct.us/calendar/calendar.htm

Getting There:

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).