Connecticut is the third smallest state by area in the USA, with a landmass of only 14,357 km. Which makes the fact that it possesses 102 state parks all the more impressive!
For those who live in, or are visiting, the city of Stamford, The Constitution State provides plenty of opportunity to explore the great outdoors.
From stunning forests and scenic rivers, to incredible coastlines and imposing rock faces, Connecticut there is plenty to see.
So, if you are searching for inspiration for where to go, these 10 state parks near Stamford are a good starting point.
Map of State Parks Near Stamford, CT
Here is a map of the state parks in Connecticut covered by this post:
List of State Parks Near Stamford
All of the 10 state parks near Stamford outlined below can be reached within a drive of less than 2 hours from the city.
This means you can easily visit them for the day. However, should you want to spend a few days at any of these destinations they all have camping facilities available for you to use.
1. Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
Distance from Stamford: about 9 miles southeast of Stamford (straight-line).
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is a state park on Lloyd Neck, a peninsula extending into the Long Island Sound, in the Village of Lloyd Harbor, New York, United States.
Highlights associated with Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Sherwood Island State Park
Distance from Stamford: about 12 miles east of Stamford (straight-line).
Sherwood Island State Park is a public recreation area on the shore of Long Island Sound in the Greens Farms section of Westport, Connecticut.
Highlights associated with Sherwood Island State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
See our full Sherwood Island State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Cold Spring Harbor State Park
Distance from Stamford: about 14 miles south of Stamford (straight-line).
Cold Spring Harbor State Park is a 47-acre (19 ha) state park located on New York State Route 25A in the Town of Huntington in Suffolk County, New York.
Highlights associated with Cold Spring Harbor State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Cold Spring Harbor State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Distance from Stamford: about 16 miles west of Stamford (straight-line).
Location: 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570
Rockefeller State Park Preserve is a state park in Mount Pleasant, New York, in the eastern foothills of the Hudson River in Westchester County.
Highlights associated with Rockefeller State Park Preserve include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Rockefeller State Park Preserve guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Centennial Watershed State Forest
Distance from Stamford: about 17 miles northeast of Stamford (straight-line).
Location: Valley Forge Road, Weston, Connecticut 06883
Centennial Watershed State Forest is a highly fragmented Connecticut state forest of more than 15,000 acres.
Highlights associated with Centennial Watershed State Forest include lake recreation, river access, and island scenery.
See our full Centennial Watershed State Forest guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Sunken Meadow State Park
Distance from Stamford: about 18 miles southeast of Stamford (straight-line).
Location: Kings Park, New York
Sunken Meadow State Park, also known as Governor Alfred E.
Highlights associated with Sunken Meadow State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground and hiking trails.
See our full Sunken Meadow State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Rockwood Hall State Park Preserve
Distance from Stamford: about 18 miles west of Stamford (straight-line).
Rockwood Hall State Park Preserve covers 88 acres in Westchester County, New York. Established 1999.
Highlights associated with Rockwood Hall State Park Preserve include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Rockwood Hall State Park Preserve guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Black Rock State Park
Distance from Stamford: about 45 miles northeast of Stamford (straight-line).
Location: 2065 Thomaston Rd, Watertown, CT 06795
Another state park that is only an hour from Stamford is the Black Rock State Park.
You will reach it via a drive north from the city, and once you are there you will find yourself within the magnificent undulating hills of the Western Highlands.
Covering 444 acres, at an elevation of 525 feet, this park adjoins the Mattatuck State Forest. It is best known for the dramatic large rock face from which it derives its name.
Rich in Indian legend, this public recreational space offers outstanding hiking opportunities which showcase tremendous views of the surrounding landscape.
This includes steep, forested ledges that are covered with oak, pine and hemlock and the scenic Black Rock Pond. The latter of which provides a welcome opportunity to swim or fish.
All up the park offers 78 wooded and open camping sites. Showers and bathrooms are available, but only for certain parts of the season.
See our full Black Rock State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Hammonasset Beach State Park
Distance from Stamford: about 53 miles east of Stamford (straight-line).
Location: 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443
The Hammonasset Beach State Park is situated just an hour’s drive up the road from Stamford in a north eastern direction.
A very popular spot, on account of its coastal location, this park draws over a million visitors every year. Most of whom are attracted to its stunning 2 mile long shoreline.
Located on the Long Island Sound, Hammonasset is the largest shoreline park in the state. As such, it is a haven for those who love swimming, surfing, fishing, beach combing and taking in coastal views from its boardwalk.
With its picturesque setting this park is also well set up for camping. Overall there are 558 open sites in the William F. Miller Campground which caters to tents, RVs and trailers. There are also cabins available for hire too.
Facilities include bathrooms, showers and a dumping station. Unfortunately pets are not allowed and individual fireplaces are not provided.
However, if that is not an issue for you, then you will love your time at the park.
See our full Hammonasset Beach State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
10. Housatonic Meadows State Park
Distance from Stamford: about 54 miles north of Stamford (straight-line).
Location: 90 US-7, Sharon, CT 06069
Situated along the gorgeous Housatonic River, the Housatonic Meadows State Park is one of the most serene public recreational spaces in Connecticut.
It will take you about 90 minutes to drive north there from Stamford, but once you are there you will be presented with an area that resides within the northwestern uplands. A spectacular area of rugged hills and rock strewn valleys.
Spread across 452 acres, this park is a top spot for hiking and photography. While catch and release fly-fishing for trout and bass, and canoeing are popular activities here too. (Swimming is not allowed).
The campground is nestled by the riverbank under tall pines, which gives it a rather sedate and biophilic ambience. It features 61 rustic sites which have bathrooms and showers available at selected times of the year.
Like most of the other state parks on this list, pets are not allowed. However, there is a dumping station at the campground, as well as portable toilets.
See our full Housatonic Meadows State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
