This is a beautiful park, it's very well maintained and clean. There are a lot of people walking…read moretheir dogs. You can walk in a small boardwalk and read about the wildlife. There are also some more challenging hikes where there is even some scrambling. Very clean and peaceful. The pine needles smell so beautiful! There's lots of free parking. You need pay for parking if you're out of state. Plenty of porta potties and bathrooms.

It has been at least 25 years since we last visited this park which is a shame because it is a true…read moregem. There is no entrance fee for CT residents and only costs $5 for out-of-state vehicles. We enjoyed walking around the ponds and trails with out dog as it appears many others do. The sole disappointment is the small covered bridge is currently closed. Next time, and there will be a next time in the not too distant future, we will bring a lunch and settle in at one of the many picnic tables.

Clean and quiet and a short walk to the water. Has a play area for the littles and has canoeingread more

We stopped around 6pm on a Saturday. We didn't had to pay anything, however I understand you are…read moredefinitely required to have a beach pass earlier in the day just not sure how much that is. The beach Was very nice and clean. They also had some kind of festival going on ,lots of families with kids and pets. Very nice atmosphere. I will definitely return.

I love this park! It is really nice and pretty, pleasant for a walk or just watching the marsh and…read moreboats. There are also kids playgrounds, fields for games. The park is always taken care of. The main parking is for Branford residents only, non residents can park before the main entrance.

I love this park! It has playgrounds, tennis courts, places to run, baseball diamonds, soccer…read morefields, the works. Or if you just want to sit and enjoy views of the river running to the ocean, that's awesome too. There's a nice walking trail. We like to walk to the park from our house, walk around the trail, sit for a bit and then come home. A good hour of exercise in a beautiful park. If you have kids there are amazing playgrounds all over the place.

Beautiful and peaceful park. Lots of grills (bring charcoal) picnic areas and rolling grass. While…read moreno launch is available- appears that kayaks are easily launch-able from the shore due to proximity. Overall beautiful and peaceful.

Lovely park at the banks of the mouth of the West River, with scenic views of Long Island Sound…read more Large boulders, natural saltwater marsh and plenty of green grass await. Excellent spot for photography, a picnic or just to soak up nature. And it's dog friendly, afaik.

We are not regular visitors of this beach because its a bit of a drive for us but we like to enjoy…read moreit every now and then We visited the East side of the beach this time. Pretty far from the crowded side and no food shack because it was permanently closed. Bummer. Good thing I brought some food . My daughter had a school beach day programmed and I came along. Why not? Breezy day but everyone enjoyed their time.

It has been a washout Memorial Day weekend. It rained all day Sunday. Today, Monday, we wanted to…read moretake a walk on the beach in Hammonasett State park. This is a gorgeous naturally beautiful piece of land. To our shock they were already charging $22 for out of state fees. Normally the season starts July 4th. We were unaware of the change in policy. Then, as we walked along the beach, we talked to life guards- all teenagers. They said they were asked to come out & stay on the beach even on Saturday although it was raining all day. Who are the ppl in charge of the park? Who makes these unilateral decisions? We the ppl are charged to walk on the edge of the ocean that belongs to the human race, so they can pay life guards on a rainy day with no ppl on the beach. Clearly, the CT govmt is in trouble.

Thank you, David Anderson, the Trolley Trail is thanks to…read morehim. Boy Scout Troop 442 lent helping hands to build this trail through the marshlands. A lovely 1.2 mile out and back, revitalized old trolley track. Bird watchers are in for a special treat, kids delight as crabs scuttle by their feet. Parking has always been a breeze and the trail is flat, navigated with ease. Be sure to sit and take in the peace (save the hum of life that doesn't cease.)

Nice easy flat trail. Not much to see but the water views are nice. Large Egrets in the water and…read morea large eagle. Trails are narrow but if you're looking for an easy stroll by the water, this is a good spot.

This is a fun little spot. The weather is so nice out today…read morethat I wanted to go for a walk with my son in a safe, well populated location and have a beachy vibe to it. We stumbled upon Branford Point after seeing tons of private beach roads nearby and a quick Google search for a public Branford beach. There were at least a dozen fishermen here near the parking area. There is a small strip of a sandy beach with an actual lifeguard. Also, there is a playground/park with picnic tables. Next time we come back, we'll be more prepared to go on the sand and pack a lunch to stay longer!

I have now forgotten the circumstances that brought me to Branford Point this past spring: all that…read moreI remember now is that I had to be out of the house an hour or so before I needed to leave for work. The amount of time seemed just right to explore this city of Branford park, on my way in to New Haven, and I am glad I did. Branford Point park is small but packed with memorable features. From the boat launch, which is surrounded by water on 3 sides, to the beach, backed by a grassy, tree-lined hill, there is much beauty to absorb from this point. Parking was possible, but limited: I imagine in the summer high season that it becomes difficult for anybody that lives outside Branford to visit. Though it may be small and packed, the challenge in this case would be worth the breeze from Long Island Sound, the sights of nearby Thimble Islands, and the peaceful vibes I found at Branford Point.

Crystal-clear water + sunny spring day = perfect hike…read more Spent a beautiful spring sunny day at Wadsworth Falls State Park, and it did not disappoint. I took so many pictures of the clear river. It's seriously that stunning. The swimming water vanished. We hiked the Wadsworth Falls Loop (3.6 miles, easy, great waterfall views) and also checked out part of the Main Trail. Trails were in good shape; just a little mud here and there, but totally manageable. Bonus tips from my visit: · Dogs welcome on leash · Free for CT-registered cars; $10-15 for out-of-state · Restrooms, parking, and picnic tables available · Get there early on a sunny day to beat the crowds If you love clear water, peaceful forest walks, and two distinct waterfalls, don't miss this spot. Already planning to come back with an all-terrain wheelchair for a friend (you can reserve one in advance). Would I go again? 100%.

Gorgeous gorges! Although this park has ample signage against swimming, the Coginchaug River is…read morelovely on the eyes and ears, and being centrally located, Wadsworth Falls is a great local escape. If you have the right footwear in winter, it's a place for a rewarding hike! Boots and grips and the occasional side stepping is good for your winter trip. Mind the tracks, or crews tending the still in-use tracks, then enjoy the lovely views of multiple waterfalls, some frosted over, but water audibly rushing beneath the ice. Starting out, we didn't see the blue trail marked on the yellow and orange junction map, but the trails were well-marked with vertical tree blazes, so if you take the orange, yellow, or blue trails, you should be in good shape. If you don't have the time for a decent hike and just need a restful stop, large falls are just below the parking lot (those no access signs on the trails don't kid!). All year, enjoy! There are zero facilities here, and the only amenities appear to be accessible recreation and a dog waste station beneath the parking lot, but you aren't in the middle of nowhere. Pack in, pack out, and enjoy as much or little woods as you like, and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of the many falls.