New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Beach guide for post-Labor Day
Labor Day is the unofficial end to summer, but there are still plenty of warm sunny days to be had in September and even October. And there are some perks to beaching it in Connecticut during the off season: free parking (at some beaches), smaller crowds and your dogs can come along eventually, too.
The “season” is different depending on the beach, so here’s a guide to help navigate your beach outings after Labor Day and into the fall.
Greenwich Point Park, Greenwich
Summer season: May 1 to Oct. 31
After Labor Day: Parking is free
Restrooms: Yes
Dogs allowed: Dec. 1 to March
7 Tods Driftway, Old Greenwich, CT
Island Beach, Greenwich
Ferry season: June to midSeptember
After Labor Day: Ferry access ends Sept. 12
Restrooms: Yes
100 Arch St., Greenwich, CT
Byram Park, Greenwich
Summer season: Memorial Day weekend to Oct. 31
After Labor Day: Parking is free
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: In-season only Dogs allowed: No
4 Ritch Ave. W., Greenwich, CT
Cove Island, Stamford
Summer season: May 1 to Sept. 30
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Concession: Until Sept. 30 Lifeguards: Until Sept. 30
Dogs allowed: No
1125 Cove Road, Stamford, CT
Cummings Park, Stamford
Season: May 1 to Sept. 30
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Concessions: Until Sept. 30 Lifeguards: Until Sept. 30
Dogs allowed: No
1 Shippan Ave., Stamford, CT
West Beach, Stamford
Season: May 1 to Sept. 30
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Concessions: Until Sept. 30 Lifeguards: Until Sept. 30
Dogs allowed: No
1 Shippan Ave., Stamford, CT
Weed Beach, Darien
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
After Labor Day: Parking permits required through late September or when gatehouses are staffed
Restrooms: Yes
Concessions: Until Labor Day Lifeguards: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Between Nov. 25 and March 31
155 Waterlane Road, Darien, CT
Pear Tree Beach, Darien
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Concessions: Until Labor Day Lifeguards: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Only for access to Darien Boat Club
90 Pear Tree Point Road, Darien, CT
Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk
Season: May to October
After Labor Day: Parking is free
Parking: Free for residents with vehicles registered in Norwalk
Restrooms: Yes
Concessions: In-season only
Lifeguards: In-season only
Dogs allowed: Taylor Farm Dog Park nearby
99 Calf Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk, CT
Shady Beach, Norwalk
Season: May to October
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Concessions: In-season only Lifeguards: In-season only
Dogs allowed: Taylor Farm Dog Park nearby
14 Canfield Ave., Norwalk, CT
Compo Beach, Westport
Season: May 1 to Sept. 30
After Labor Day: Parking passes required through Sept. 30
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Sept. 30 Concessions: Until Sept. 30
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 30 60 Compo Beach Road, Westport, CT
Burying Hill Beach, Westport
Season: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
After Labor Day: Parking passes required through Sept. 30
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: No
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 30 1 Beachside Ave., Westport, CT
Old Mill Beach, Westport
Season: May 1 to Sept. 30
After Labor Day: Parking passes required through Sept. 30
Restrooms: No
Lifeguards: No
Concessions: No
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 30 1 Old Mill Road, Westport, CT
Sherwood Island State Park, Westport
Season: April 15 to Sept. 30
Free year-round for CT residents Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Sept. 30 Concessions: Until Sept. 30
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through April 14 1 Sherwood Island Connector, Westport, CT
Jennings Beach, Fairfield
Season: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 31 880 S. Benson Road, Fairfield, CT
Penfield Beach, Fairfield
Season: Memorial Day Saturday to Labor Day
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 31 323 Fairfield Beach Road, Fairfield, CT
Southport Beach, Southport
Season: Memorial Day Saturday to Labor Day
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: No
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 31 1505 Pequot Ave., Southport, CT
South Pine Creek Beach, Fairfield
Season: Memorial Day Saturday to Labor Day
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: No
Concessions: No
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 31 1424 S. Pine Creek Road, Fairfield, CT
Sasco Beach, Southport
Season: Memorial Day Saturday to Labor Day
Entry: Fairfield residents only
After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Oct. 1 through March 31 4-1301 Sasco Point, Southport, CT
Seaside Park, Bridgeport
Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day Entry: Passes available for Bridgeport and non-Bridgeport residents
Parking: Annual $15 parking stickers for residents, $130 for non-residents of Bridgeport; day passes range from $25$40 for CT residents and $30-$60 for non-CT residents
After Labor Day: Annual stickers are required for year-round access
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: Food carts
Dogs allowed: No
1 Barnum Dyke, Bridgeport, CT
Pleasure Beach, Bridgeport
Season: July 3 to Labor Day weekend After Labor Day: Closed
19-1 Central Ave, Bridgeport, CT
Short Beach, Stratford
Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Dec. 1 through March 31 1 Dome Drive, Stratford, CT
Long Beach, Stratford
Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: No
Concessions: No
Dogs allowed: Dec. 1 through March 31 1 Oak Bluff Drive, Stratford, CT
Silver Sands State Park, Milford
Season: May to September
After Labor Day: Parking passes not required
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: In season only
Dogs allowed: In picnic areas
1 Silver Sands Pkwy., Milford, CT
Walnut Beach, Milford
Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: No
113 E. Broadway, Milford, CT
Gulf Beach, Milford
Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day After Labor Day: Parking is free Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day Concessions: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: No
1 Gulf St., Milford, CT
Bradley Point Beach, West Haven
After Labor Day: Nonresidents pay to park at parking lot kiosk
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Restricted to boardwalk 1 Savin Rock Trail, West Haven, CT
Savin Rock Park, West Haven
After Labor Day: Nonresidents pay to park at parking lot kiosk
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Restricted to boardwalk 435 Captain Thomas Blvd, West Haven, CT
Seabluff Beach, West Haven
After Labor Day: Nonresidents pay to park at parking lot kiosk
Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Until Labor Day
Dogs allowed: Restricted to boardwalk 1 Captain Thomas Blvd., West Haven, CT
Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven
Season: April 1 to Nov. 1
After Labor Day: Park is open through Nov. 1; carousel closes after Labor Day. Restrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Concessions: In season only 2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven, CT