Rocky Neck FAQ
Short, sourced answers to the questions visitors ask most about Rocky Neck State Park. Each answer links to the page that covers the topic in full. Facts come from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which runs the park, unless another source is named.
Before You Go
Rocky Neck is a 710-acre state park on Long Island Sound in East Lyme (Niantic), Connecticut, open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Start with plan your visit, parking and fees and hours.
Still Have a Question?
For anything that changes day to day (closures, the water report, campground availability), call the park at (860) 739-5471 or the campground at (860) 739-1339. Our contact page lists every number.
Rocky Neck State Park Questions
Is Rocky Neck State Park free?
Yes for cars with Connecticut plates. Out-of-state cars pay $15 on weekdays, $22 on weekends and holidays, or $7 after 4 p.m., from April 1 to October 31. A $112 season pass covers out-of-state cars at every state park that charges.
What time does Rocky Neck State Park open and close?
It opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sunset, every day.
Where is Rocky Neck State Park?
244 W Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357, in the town of East Lyme. From I-95, take exit 72 and follow the Rocky Neck Connector to Route 156.
Can you swim at Rocky Neck?
Yes, at West Beach only. East Beach is marked no swimming on DEEP's map. DEEP posts water-quality results weekly from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Is Rocky Neck beach sandy?
Yes. DEEP describes a half-mile crescent of soft, white, stone-free sand. The rocks are on the headlands and jetty.
Are dogs allowed at Rocky Neck State Park?
On a leash in the picnic area and on the trails north of the train tracks. From May 1 to October 1, pets are banned on the beach, the boardwalk and the campground, and the campground bans them all season.
How much does it cost to camp at Rocky Neck?
$20 a night for Connecticut residents and $30 for non-residents, plus a $9 processing fee. Cabins are $70 or $80 a night with a seven-night minimum.
When is the Rocky Neck campground open?
In 2027, from Friday, May 21 to Friday, September 24 at noon. In 2026 it ran from May 15 to September 25.
Does Rocky Neck have cabins?
Yes, three rustic two-room cabins that sleep four comfortably and up to six, rented Sunday to Sunday.
Are there hookups at the Rocky Neck campground?
No. DEEP lists no electric or water hookups; a dump station is free for registered campers.
How long is the hiking trail at Rocky Neck?
The Rocky Neck Loop is 2.5 miles (Red to Blue to Yellow), rated easy to moderate. The full network is about five miles.
Can you fish at Rocky Neck?
Yes. The jetty is open year-round, and the whole beach opens to fishing September 15 to Memorial Day. Anglers 16 and older need a Connecticut marine license.
What is Bride Brook?
The tidal creek and salt marsh on the park's east side, where alewives run every spring. Save the Sound counted about 220,000 in 2015.
Can you rent the pavilion at Rocky Neck?
Yes. The second floor of the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion holds events of up to 300 guests from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, from $3,750.
Is there a picnic shelter at Rocky Neck?
Yes, an open-air shelter for up to 80 people with 10 tables, $220 plus a $9 fee, reservable May 22 to October 13.
Is Rocky Neck wheelchair accessible?
DEEP lists accessible parking, picnic tables and restrooms, free beach surf chairs, and all-terrain wheelchairs by advance reservation.
Who runs Rocky Neck State Park?
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), State Parks Division.
Is Rocky Neck the same as the Niantic boardwalk?
No. The Niantic Bay Boardwalk is a Town of East Lyme walk between Cini Memorial Park and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, a short drive east of the state park.