rocky neck state park

The park has approx 4 miles of easy trails. Some trails provide great marsh views and you can often see several types of ducks, egrets, herons, osprey, etc. Nice beach with concession stand. Camping allowed in the park.

Been here over the years and it's still the same in terms of being quiet with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the calm waters. There is a picnic area to relax there and have food...also places to bbq...

I've been to Rocky neck numerous times, there is no charge in the winter, and a nice place to take a stroll, after parking, there is a short walk through a tunnel under the railroad to the beach and pavilion , which is and impressive stone structure. there is a large grass meadow, and trails to explore, and numerous picnic tables. make sure to explore the rocky neck that extends into Long Island Sound on the far side of the park, the views are beautiful, and in summer a great place to watch the sunset, the road leading down to the beach why does through another very large picnic area, all in all a really great place to visit.

I stay away during summer months except to ride my bicycle. The is a great place to come clear your mind in the off season...just don't try to battle the crowds on a summer weekend. I live nearby so visit all the time. Great place to walk the dogs. Beautiful views and trails. Another bonus to off season...no charge at the gate. Be prepared to pay $10+ per carload in the summer.

We were here during the off season.. businesses were all closed as expected for this time of year. The beach is a very nice size beach area.. very nice sand.. very clean even during the off season.. plenty of parking and easy access to beach and ocean

We went in late September so the "beach crowd" was not there and it was so peaceful and beautiful. We took many pictures of different water birds and scenery. It is a great place to just chill or walk or bike ride. There was no fee for parking when we went.Not sure what it is like in the middle of summer though.

We visited Rocky Neck beach over the summer. Great beach, decent waves, and wonderful sand for building sandcastles. Beware of the trains that run behind the beach!

I used to come here when I was younger with my parents. Back then there were rules and at 10PM it was lights out. Now it is much different. On weekends people are noisy and even after 10 PM they keep on going. Last year we were next to a noisy group that were even climbing in trees to cut branches. We called the front office and they told us they could not do anything. If the noise kept on going they said they would call the state troopers which they never did.This year we went during the week and although not as noisy people do not stay quite at 10 pm. We had a camper chopping wood at 6AM and generators pretty well running all day.The beach is great for younger chilren since there are only small waves and the water is not too deep. at low tide they can look for hermit crabs in the rocks along the beach.There are many families with young children and the kids can use their bikes safely since thre is not much traffic in the campsite.I will return but not on weekends.

We arrived on the Friday of Labor Day weekend in late afternoon. As we se camp, we recognized dozens of people collecting at a large canopied tent area where several picnic tables were assembled together to host a large group of diners. As the night darkness came, we heard conversation from a party of over 20 people beside our campsite become louder laughter and shouts. (Rocky Neck allows guests to consume alcohol.) This group consumed vodka and began playing instruments and singing--loudly! As the quiet hour of 10pm passed, we heard the crowd gather more vodka drinkers and balalaikas and guitars accompany the chorus of drunken campers a few yards from our sleepy children. When we spoke to the park staff, they reported this group presents problems the grow larger in number and severity each year--but they are unable to ban them from a public park!!! Save your body, mind, and sole and seek another camp dominated by aggressive, hostile, and profoundly drunken revelers.

Accustomed to "Cape and Islands" vacations during my youth, when my wife suggested Rocky Neck State Park Beach in Connecticut - I was definitely a skeptic and completely clueless about the Connecticut shoreline. As it turned out, this beach became our beach - 5-6 day trips each summer for the past 15 years. Yes, we still go to the Cape -but at one hour and ten minutes from our home - Rocky Neck has always been a great beach day for us. Views of the eastern end Long Island - Orient Point, Plum Island, Gardiner's Bay along with frequent commuter and freight trains whizzing by have always contributed to the ambiance of this beach which always has been a family-friendly beach. My daughters have always loved the white, soft sand. Shallow water and lack of waves make this beach terrific for young children and infants. Among the many things I love about this beach is the fact that I get to listen to WLNG - an Oldies station from across the Sound in Sag Harbor - that has always added to my beach experience. On the downside, the water is not always the cleanest - it is Long Island Sound not Nantucket Sound. On the weekends - I have learned my lesson - too crowded I only go during weekdays - much cleaner and less crowded. Also, we always park on the left side at "East Beach" or "Lost Beach." It is quieter and restrooms are cleaner. We walk further along the boardwalk towards the middle of the beach where it is the less crowded - that almost always works even on the busiest of days. Parking on weekdays is inexpensive compared to other New England Beaches (15.00 versus 20.00) My girls are in high school now and family trips to the beach sadly are less and less frequent these days (just once this summer). I'm hoping that a young family will discover this "hidden gem" as I did back in 2000. And yes, that is a picture of me at Rocky Neck a few years back.

If you want a state park near Mystic, this is a bargain. But, you get what you pay for. Not a bad park, but Hammonassette, just 10 exits west, beats it 20 times over. There are more expensive private campgrounds closer to Mystic, but that only saves you 30 minutes, and will cost you +$35/night. If it's worth it to you, go for it.The campgrounds themselves are pretty, with paved driveways for each site. A little close together, but there aren't that many in the park as a whole. Bathrooms are adequate, but fairly nasty, even by campground standards. The showers are basically outside, with a roof and walls, but, outside, let's be perfectly clear. No showering if it's cool or buggy, and they're the push kind, giving you 10 seconds of water in a hit. Also, not nice on the floor, etc. No designated biking trails, so, you bike with the cars, but there aren't that many. Security is hit and miss: Sometimes no one is at either booth after 11 pm, which doesn't sit well with me. But the staff that are there are nice and helpful. No camp store. The main problem is that the beach is not within walking distance, and in fact, is on the other side of the railroad tracks. It's a long walk around and to the beach bathrooms. Also, there are power lines above the beach, which pretty much kills my beach buzz. There is little exploring to do and no wildlife reserve to explore. They have enormous dumpsters parked in the middle of the picnic area. Just functional but not big on style. You'll be ok there, just not inspired.

This was the worst campground I have ever been to. The facilities were filthy, the garbage containers were over flowing and the stench was overwhelming. I would be ashamed to be from Connecticut.

Nice white sand, jetty to explore, bath house, concession stand, old rock pavillion built in the 1930s. Water was clean and warm, great for swimming. Not crowded at all. Lots of room to make "base camp". Has a campground.

We stopped here to relax and move while traveling the New England states. There is a small admission, but it was worth it to move. The stop offered beachs, bathrooms, and small trails. Very pretty rocky shore with sand. Recommend this state park.

We drove 1hr 20min from MA expecting a nice day at the beach, instead we found this beach to be small and RIDICULOUSLY OVER CROWDED! Don't bother arriving early in hopes of securing a spot on the beach. Late comers have NO CONSIDERATION for PERSONAL SPACE. They practically sit right on top of you! Not mention the ACTIVE TRAIN TRACKS within a stones throw from the beach! If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful beach to read and relax this IS NOT the beach for you. Also, don't bother packing any flotation devices, footballs, frizzbees or snorkel masks; theses items ARE NOT ALLOWED in the water. Better off driving 2 hrs to RI beach and paying out of state parking fee!