Connecticut has more than 600 miles of intricate coastline facing idyllic Long Island Sound; however, 80% of it is privately owned. As a result, Connecticut’s seaside state parks, such as Sherwood Island State Park, are rare gems of public access to the state’s scenic coast. Sherwood Island State Park is also unique in that it is one of Connecticut’s oldest state parks, dating back to 1914. However, it took nearly 30 years before it was officially opened to the public because wealthy residents wanted to keep the coastline private. Today, the 235-acre park sits outside of Westport, a hidden town with sandy shoreline walks and a cute downtown. Westport is a train station between New Haven and Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal, so in less than 90 minutes New Yorkers can trade towering skyscrapers for blissful beach days and outdoor adventures.
Sherwood Island State Park is flanked by two scenic beaches, the longer East Beach and the bay-like West Beach, both lapped by the cool, calm waters of Long Island Sound. The park is also a popular fishing spot for the saltwater species that inhabit the bay. Further inland, visitors can traverse nature trails or visit the park’s 9/11 Living Memorial and Nature Center.
Sherwood Island State Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year. However, the best time to swim in a state park is between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when lifeguards monitor the shoreline. Entrance to state parks is free for Connecticut-registered vehicles, but out-of-state drivers pay a fee of $7 to $22 (at the time of this writing), depending on the time of year and day of the week.
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Enjoy scenic beach time at Sherwood Island State Park
View of the sand path leading to the beach at Sherwood Island State Park – hs3189/Shutterstock
Sherwood Island State Park’s two scenic beaches are the park’s main attractions, with approximately 1.5 miles of prime oceanfront views. Both beaches have a unique collection of shells, sea glass, and pebbles deposited along the water. East Beach is the larger, crescent-shaped beach located just steps from the park’s main parking lot, bathrooms, and concession stands. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6 pm. “The water is calm, with some small waves, and while it’s shallow, you don’t have to go far to swim,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer, who also recommended bringing water shoes as the sand bed can be rocky. Active visitors can launch kayaks and paddleboards from the east end of the beach to explore the bay and park’s shoreline from a whole new perspective. The park’s nature center is located behind East Beach, where you can learn more about the park’s flora and fauna.
For a quiet escape, head to the smaller West Beach, accessed via a seaside path along the coastline. Sherwood Point, between East Beach and West Beach, is the 9/11 Living Memorial, where the names of Connecticut residents who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 are engraved on stone monuments. In the distance, if the weather cooperates, you can see the New York City skyline rising from the water. Continuing along the path, you’ll reach West Beach, flanked by basalt piers. There are also bathrooms and picnic tables nearby for group gatherings. If you want to check out more of the area’s beaches, head five miles east to Fairfield, a thriving Connecticut seaside town with an abundance of recreational activities.
Fishing at Sherwood Island State Park
Sherwood Island State Park’s rock pier juts into Long Island Sound – Dan Hanscom/Shutterstock
Anglers can fish anywhere off the Long Island Sound shoreline of Sherwood Island State Park, except in designated swimming areas on the beach from April 15 to September 30. Outside of these months, surf fishing is allowed anywhere on the beach. One of the favorite gathering spots for anglers is the park’s Sherwood Point Pier, which juts out into the bay between the two beaches. Because Long Island Sound is located between Connecticut rivers and the Atlantic Ocean, its waters are brackish, a mix of saltwater and freshwater. These waters are home to more than 100 species of fish, and you can catch a variety of saltwater species from the park’s shores, including bluefish, flounder, and striped bass. “I’ve been fishing on the west beach for the past few weeks, but switched gears today and headed to the far east side of the channel,” one Reddit commenter wrote. “Beautiful place, such a blessing to be able to explore Sherwood Island.”
Fishing is only allowed at Sherwood Island State Park with a Connecticut fishing license, which costs $32 for residents and $63 for non-residents (as of this writing). However, there are several free fishing days throughout the year where you can get a free one-day fishing license. For a more adventurous Long Island Sound fishing trip, head to uninhabited Shea Island, a secluded Connecticut island resort with rustic camping facilities and peaceful sunsets, about 8 miles west of Norwalk Shores State Park.
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