Coastal Boat Launches
Coastal Access in Connecticut
Welcome! To access the Connecticut Coastal Access Guide, please click here.
This interactive map, along with brown and white public access signs posted at or near many of these locations, can help you find your way to over 350 diverse shoreline sites in Connecticut that provide a variety of opportunities for coastal enjoyment.
While all the sites included are open to the public, please note that DEEP does not manage all of them. Users should review the interactive map’s Site Contact Information for each site to determine the appropriate party to contact with questions or concerns, or for current conditions before visiting.
Connecticut's Shore - The People's Resource
Connecticut's shore belongs to the people under the common law public trust doctrine. As such, all coastal states, as sovereigns, hold the submerged lands and waters waterward of the mean highwater line in trust for the public. In Connecticut, a line of state Supreme Court cases confirm that private ownership ends at the mean high water line, and that the state holds title to the lands waterward of mean high water for the use and benefit of the public. (In general, if an area is regularly wet by the tides, you are probably safe to assume that it is in the public trust.) The public may freely use these lands and waters, whether they are beach, rocky shore, or open water, for uses such as fishing, shellfishing, boating, sunbathing, or simply walking along the beach.
For more information, please see our Public Trust Fact Sheet and our General Public Access Fact Sheet.
Responsibly Enjoy Your Public Trust Right
Public trust areas and the coastal resources within them are important and deserve our respect. Visitors should exercise their public rights responsibly, without disturbing neighboring property owners or others using the public shore. Don’t litter, trample dune or tidal wetland vegetation, or trespass on private property. Do obey fishing, shellfishing, and other restrictions. Sites listed are generally open from dawn to dusk unless otherwise specified.
Contact Us
For questions, comments, or additional information about the Connecticut Coastal Access Guide, please contact the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Land and Water Resources Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford Connecticut, 06106-5127. Telephone: (860) 424-3019. Email.
Please Note: The coastal access guide includes many CT DEEP beaches and swim areas. For the most up-to-date information on closure status these facilities, please visit Connecticut Waterfront Updates.
Floating Docks
A concerted effort is made annually by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to get docks* installed at sites no later than April 15 and removed no earlier than November 15. Schedules are tentative; however, and can change based on water levels, weather and ice conditions. Most sites are open for public use even if the dock is not installed.
As of May 9, 2025, courtesy docks have been installed at the following locations:
Barn Island State Boat Launch, Stonington, CT
Bayberry Lane State Boat Launch, Groton, CT
Branford River State Boat Launch, Branford, CT
Coventry Lake State Boat Launch, Coventry, CT
Housatonic River State Boat Launch, Milford, CT
KE Streeter State Boat Launch, Groton, CT
Lake Housatonic (Indian Well), Shelton, CT
Lake Lillinonah State Boat Launch, Bridgewater, CT
Lake Zoar State Boat Launch, Southbury, CT
Niantic River State Boat Launch, Waterford, CT
Thames River State Boat Launch, New London, CT
Please note: The Haddam Meadow State Boat Launch Docks and the Salmon River State Boat Launch Docks are delayed due to high water levels at the launch.
*The following boat launches have floating docks that remain in year-round:
Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch, Old Saybrook, CT
Niantic River State Boat Launch, Waterford, CT
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) owns and/or operates 117 boat launches statewide on ponds, lakes, rivers and Long Island Sound. Unless noted otherwise in the Connecticut Boater's Guide or in these web pages, all launches are open* 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise noted.
Read the signboard at each launch for important local rules and regulations. Alcohol consumption is prohibited. Many popular sites offer seasonal toilet facilities, however, no trash receptacles are provided and we request that patrons "carry out what they carry in". Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Please help us keep these launches safe, clean and enjoyable by reporting acts of vandalism, littering or dumping, and other illegal activities to our Environmental Conservation Police at 860-424-3333 or complete and submit a "Report a Boat Launch Maintenance Issue, Concern or Suggestion". Together we can preserve these recreational sites for all to enjoy. We appreciate your help.
Visitors to fresh water boat launches should be aware that some water bodies may be prone to blue-green algal blooms. Blue-green algae may produce and release toxins that – at high enough concentrations - are potentially harmful to swimmers, dogs and people involved in activities that puts them in contact with the water. More information.
