Bluff Point State Park in Connecticut, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-30. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bluff Point State Park in Groton, Connecticut, combines a coastal reserve with a 3.45-mile gravel loop to Long Island Sound. Leave the car at the entrance and continue on foot or by nonmotorized travel to the bluff.

Highlights

The main loop passes woods and salt marsh before reaching the coast. It offers a clear starting point for a first visit, while the broader trail network adds options for walkers and mountain bikers.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety information

Before paddling, check conditions and stay within your abilities. Carry a wearable life jacket for each person. Connecticut requires paddlers to wear one October 1–May 31; children age 12 and younger must wear one throughout the year. Follow the state paddling safety guidance.

Visit responsibly

Stay on marked trails and use official dune crossings. Do not use blocked former trails or disturb plants, animals, and rocks. Access to the bluff is limited to foot or nonmotorized travel.

Reservations and permits

For an out-of-state vehicle, buy the day pass on arrival. An advance purchase does not guarantee entry after the park reaches capacity. The authorized day-pass page explains that limitation. Buses seating 30 or more passengers require a permit.

Maps, location, and access

Use 55 Depot Road, Groton, CT 06340. From I-95 exit 88, take CT-117 south to US-1 south, then turn left onto Depot Road. The park entrance is at the road’s end. The boat launch lies west of the entrance, beyond the railroad trestle.

Nearby parks

Haley Farm State Park has a separate road entrance at 24 Haley Farm Lane in Groton and a pedestrian bridge connection to Bluff Point. Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park is another Groton stop, at Park Avenue and Monument Street. Use those road entrances for a driving itinerary.

Things to do

Walk the unblazed Bluff Point Loop for a 3.45-mile route on a multi-use gravel path. The park rates it easy. For paddling, the Poquonnock River offers a more sheltered setting than the exposed waters beyond Bushy Point Beach. Pair that choice with the safety requirements above.

Facilities and accessibility

Picnic tables sit near the parking lot. The park lists accessible parking, which does not establish that every trail or beach approach is accessible. Ask staff about the route and surface your group needs.

About the park

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection manages the park. Its Coastal Reserve designation protects ecological and scenic features alongside public recreation.

History

The legislature designated Bluff Point a Coastal Reserve in 1975.

Wildlife and habitats

The peninsula includes coastal woods, dune grasslands, salt marsh, tidal flats, ponds, and offshore eelgrass beds. This variety supports protected species, so keep wildlife viewing on established routes.

Contact

Call 860-444-7591 or use the official Bluff Point State Park page for maps and current park information.