End of Summer 2025 Hike and Beach Day at Rocky Neck State Park

[David Ostafin]

Join us on SUNDAY, September 21, 2025 (last day of Summer 2025) for an EASY hike in Rocky Neck State Park, one of the premier beaches in Connecticut, located at 228 W. Main Street (Route 156) in Niantic (East Lyme), CT.  Scheduling constraints preclude our offering a Saturday hike in September.  Meet at 10:30 a.m. on SUNDAY, September 21, 2025 for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.  The hike is followed by a picnic on the beach and a (possible) dip in the Sound (temperature and weather permitting).  Although well-known as a white-sand beach with rocky outcrops, the park's intricate trail system north of the beach is a "hidden gem" for hikers.  We last did this hike over two years ago, on June 18, 2023.

Meet at the West Beach Parking area, near the beach pavilion, where the restrooms are located.  This is the farthest parking area from the entrance of the park to the beach.

ABOUT THE HIKE:  This is an EASY, mostly flat hike on an extended loop, from the red-blazed trail to the blue-blazed trail, but with a couple of deviations to see the sights and features of the park.  We will start on the red trail, then go to the white trail, as a scenic route along the Salty Marsh.  We will then return to the red trail via the purple trail (the only short climb), and then continue on the red trail to its intersection with the blue trail.  As we return on the blue trail, we will briefly walk on the yellow trail, to access the scenic overlook (Tony's Nose), before returning to the beach area of the park by walking around the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion, a Depression-era stone building.  The walking time will be less than two hours.  At that point we will be close to the parking area for easy retrieval of picnic items and beachwear left in vehicles. We can picnic either on the beach or at one of the many picnic tables scattered throughout the area adjacent to the beach.  After the picnic, some may want to take a dip in the Sound.  Others may want to visit the cave (Baker's Cave, where a Tory named Baker hid during the American Revolution to avoid military service against the British Crown), which is located a short distance from the beach.

ABOUT THE PARK:  Rocky Neck's 710 acres of varied terrain offer diverse opportunities for summer adventures.  The half-mile crescent-shaped beach with outcrops of gneiss (which gives the park its name) is most popular with park visitors, as the clear waters and white sand make it ideal for beach-goers.  But the less-known (and less-used) trail system North of the beach is equally ideal for those wanting a hike before beach fun. Trail system is usually sparsely populated, even on hot summer days.  This system includes many interesting features and views, including the Salty Marsh, glacial boulders ("errata"), the Shipyard Field (remnants of old Beckwith Shipyard) Four Mile River, a scenic overlook (Tony's Nose), a cave (Baker's Cave), plus the historic stone building called the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion, the largest WPA construction in Connecticut (build in 1936, as one of FDR's "New Deal" projects; inside are tree trunk pillars taken from each of the state parks existing at the time of construction).

DIRECTIONS:  Set your GPS for "228 W. Main Street, Niantic (East Lyme), CT."  Once you turn into the park, follow the road to the last parking area near the beach (West Beach Parking Area), where there is a building usually with an American flag.

NOTES:  As always, dress appropriately for the season and read our disclaimer (the group disclaims all liability; each participant is responsible for him/herself).  Bring ample water for hydration, and also bring sunscreen and bug spray for hike/beach.  There are bathrooms in the area near the beach.  Connecticut-registered vehicles park for free, but out-of-state registered vehicles will be assessed an entrance fee.  As we will be picnicking in lieu of going to a restaurant, bring whatever you want for your own lunch.  Items can be left in your vehicles during the hike, for later retrieval, since the beach is near the parking area.  Dogs are welcome on the hiking trails, and in most areas of the park, but prohibited on the beach itself.  

Giovani Querido and David Ostafin

[Thomas Lindberg]

Thank you. Hoping to go. Barring the unforeseen or bad weather.

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[David]

David, Gio:  I would so love to join you on this hike, but I am still working on selling my parents’ home in Monson, MA.  It has been a major time consumer.  David Sanborn

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