[ccbrand]

Hello! I am moving to New London in the next few months (for family reasons, so no choice of location). I am coming from Australia, bringing my dog, and am trying to find any info on dog-friendly beaches? Is there such a thing in New London County?
Thanks in advance!

[Sigequinox]

I don't know, but I'm eagerly awaiting to find out the answer to your question as well.

[mels]

It seems that in CT, you can bring your dog to some public beaches on Long Island Sound during the off season (After Labor Day-1st Monday in Sept.- to before Memorial Day- end of May) though that varies. Bluff Point State Park is a hiking trail with an adjacent little beach that actually gets fairly crowded with people and dogs during the warmer months. It is the only place I can think of in New London (I think it is technically Groton), though someone who knows the area better may have more suggestions.

I tend to bring my dog to the Salmon River State Forest (Marlborough/Colchester line) because it isn't far from my house. There are nice areas for swimming but not designated as such (no proper beach) so dogs are allowed. Powers Lake in East Lyme is about 15 minutes from New London and you can bring your dog- it is a boat ramp to a mostly undeveloped lake but many people swim there along with their dogs.

I bet there are more places near New London. Hopefully someone more familiar with the area chimes in and can give you more suggestions.

[NewJeffCT]

Welcome to Connecticut!

Looks like you can bring your dog "around" Rocky Neck state park in East Lyme, but not actually on the beach itself:
PETS:
Pets on leashes are permitted on hiking trails and in picnic areas north of train tracks. Pets are not allowed in campground. Pets are not allowed south of train tracks, or on beach or boardwalk. Please clean up after your pets!

For Hammonasset in Madison:
PETS:
Pets on a leash are permitted in the picnic areas. From Nov. 1 - April 1 ONLY they are alllowed in the campground and on the beach leashed and under control.

Bluff Point in Groton does allow pets on a leash:
PETS:
Pets on a leash are permitted.


Ft Trumbull State Park in New London (not really a beach...)
PETS:
Pets on a leash are permitted in the park. They are not allowed inside buildings, including the fort, or on the fishing pier.


Misquamicut - just over the border in Rhode Island - does not allow dogs at all from April 1 through Sept 30, and leashed dogs are allowed from 10/1 through 3/31.

McCook's Point Park in East Lyme allows dogs "under the owner's control" from 10/1 through 4/30, but dogs are allowed year-round on the "Amtrak Beach" nearby.

Could not find if Point O' Woods in Old Lyme allows dogs.

[ccbrand]

Wow, thanks so much for the info! Looks like we have a few options, will just have to try them all and see which one is best.
Oh, and thanks for the welcome!

[NewJeffCT]

there are a lot of small beaches in Connecticut - they're nice, but nothing like many of the world famous beaches of Australia.

[ccbrand]

I'm in Western Australia, and we have the world's best beaches, without a doubt.

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by ccbrand

I'm in Western Australia, and we have the world's best beaches, without a doubt.

You'll be in for a letdown here, then. The beaches here are more picturesque/quaint than anything. Growing up in central CT, we usually went to Misquamicut for a day trip to the beach when I was in high school and college.

Cape Cod in Mass has some very nice beaches, as do Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

[AMoly7]

It's a bit of a drive and not an ocean beach but Southbury has a wonderful dog park. Huge open field, walking paths and a calm river for the dogs to swim in. My dogs love it!

[ccbrand]

Originally Posted by AMoly7

It's a bit of a drive and not an ocean beach but Southbury has a wonderful dog park. Huge open field, walking paths and a calm river for the dogs to swim in. My dogs love it!

Thanks for the recommendation! I don't mind a bit of a drive, and luckily the dog loves car rides.