Two people canoeing on a misty lake (Instagram@hot_baked_stoke_)

Selden Neck State Park

Lyme, CT

Sleep under the stars along the river, listen to the wind in the wings of waterfowl passing overhead, and discover quiet serenity at Selden Neck State Park. Though called Selden Neck, this park is actually an island and accessible only by boat. Cut off from the mainland in the 1850s, Selden Neck has spent the better part of 160 years on its own as the largest island in the Connecticut River.

Except for the tidal marshes, the roadless, uninhabited, 607-acre island is completely blanketed with lush woodland vegetation. The island tops out at nearly 230 feet in elevation providing some areas of potentially strenuous hiking. Lookouts from the trail offer wonderful views of the lower Connecticut River — you’ll quickly understand why the Nature Conservancy designated the lower Connecticut River as one of "America's Last Great Places".

Fun fact: The island was once home to a farm and red granite schist quarry for paving stones, including those used to pave the streets of New York city nearly 130 years ago.

Views from the Park
Location

(Accessible only by water)
Lyme, CT 06371

Details

Open Daily
(8:00 a.m. – Sunset)

Contact

Main (860) 526-2336

Two people kayaking on the lake (Instagram@rlmatsch59)
Activities

Boating

Camping

Body

RIVER CAMPING

Camp on the banks of the Connecticut River at one of just four state parks with boat-in, boat-out spots along the river. There are four primitive camp areas in this park.

  • Cedars site — 20 campers
  • Hogback site — 6 campers
  • Springledge site — 8 campers
  • Quarry Knob site — 12 campers
  • River Camping Map

Reserve a campsite: 

 

Hiking

Historic

Hunting

Nature

Fees

Free
Campsite additional fees

Accessibility

N/A

Pets

Camping Area
Not permitted