CT State Parks and Forests Main Page Park Location Depot Road Groton (Directions) Park Contact Information Bluff Point State Park c/o Fort Trumbull State Park 90 Walbach Street New London, CT 06320 (860) 444-7591 {Link to Purchase a State Park Season Pass}   {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} ACCESSIBILITY This park offers: {Symbol for Handicapped Accessibility} Parking HOURS: The park and reserve are open year-round from 8 am to sunset. PETS: Pets on a leash are permitted. STATE PARKS CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: dep.stateparks@ct.gov Telephone: (860) 424-3200 (866) 287-2757 (Toll Free in CT) Fax: (860) 424-4070

{Bluff Point State Park} Bluff Point State Park Groton Bluff Point Coastal Reserve offers the visitor a delightful mixture of wooded hiking and biking trails coupled with spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound.   Activities Facilities Geology/  Biology Directions Map History Activities {Hiking} Hiking {Fishing} Saltwater Fishing {Mountain Biking} Mountain Biking {Fishing} Shell Fishing Shell Fishing A permit is required for shell fishing. Permits are issued by the Town of Groton. Groton Town Offices are located on the corner of Route 1 and Depot Road. Telephone: (860) 441-6600 Facilities Boat Launch {Bluff Point State Park, Groton} Bluff Point State Park, Groton Geology The Geology of Bluff Point State Park Biology The Biology of Bluff Point State Park Directions Coming from I-95 North:  Take exit 88.  Turn right onto SR 117 South.  Turn right at the end onto Route 1 South.  Take a left at the first light onto Depot Road.  Park entrance is at the end of the road.   Coming from I-95 South:  Take exit 88.  Turn left onto SR 117 South.  Turn right at the end onto Route 1 South.  Take a left at the first light onto Depot Road.  Park entrance is at the end of the road. Fees   Information on Season Passes There are no parking fees at Bluff Point State Park. More Information Map Park Map (888 K) History Bluff Point is the last remaining significant piece of undeveloped land along the Connecticut coastline. Jutting out into waters of Long Island Sound this wooded peninsula, measuring one and one-half miles long by one mile wide, encompasses over 800 acres. Originally proposed for acquisition as a state recreation facility as early as 1914, it was not until 1963 that the western one-third of the land was purchased from Henry A. Gardiner III. State holdings include a north-south strip of the mainland, a portion of the headland bluff fronting the Sound, and the tombolo or sandspit forming a beach of nearly one mile in length. The beach terminates in a small, rocky island called Bushy Point. Bluff Point was designated a "Coastal Reserve" by a special act of the Connecticut legislature in 1975 to establish the area "for the purpose of preserving its native ecological associations, unique faunal and floral characteristics, geological features and scenic qualities in a condition of undisturbed integrity". Because of its Coastal Reserve designation, access to the bluff is by foot or non-motorized vehicle only. The trail to the bluff passes through wooded and open areas until the view broadens as the bluff is approached. Here vegetation is more sparse and diminutive because of wind exposure. Among the plants to be found at the headland are native beach plum, beach pea and red and white shore roses. The long, narrow beach is a geological remnant of the continental glaciers and subsequent erosion by wind and water... an ongoing process. Other Nearby State Recreation Areas Include: Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, Groton Location: From  I-95N to Groton take the second exit after the Gold Star Bridge (over the Thames River) onto the Clarence B. Sharp Highway. Follow signs to Fort Griswold.  Additional street directions Activities: Historic Fort and grounds, Monument and Museum Charge: None Fort Trumbull State Park, New London Location: On  I-95S to New London cross over the Gold Star Bridge (Thames River) and take Exit 84S towards Downtown New London.  Additional street directions Activities: Historic Fort and Grounds, Visitor Center Exhibits, Saltwater Fishing, Waterfront Walk Charge: Fee for touring Fort and Visitor Center Exhibits Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford Location: 4 miles south of New London on Route 213 Activities:  Field Sports, Formal Gardens, Mansion Tours, Picnicking, Saltwater Fishing Charge: Daily Haley Farm State Park, Groton  Location: Exit 88 off I-95 onto SR117.  Turn left at the end onto Rte 1 North.  Turn right onto Route 215 south to Brook Street in Groton Activities: Biking, Birding, Hiking Charge: None Rocky Neck State Park Location: Exit 72 off I-95. Follow the turnpike connector south to Route 156. Take Route 156 east to the park Activities: Picnicking, Salt Water Swimming & Fishing, Camping, Hiking Charge: Daily Related Links Connecticut Tourism Information Fishing Information Boating Information {Link to Top of Page}