CT
Pond
Burr Pond State Park
Torrington, Connecticut
Burr Pond State Park has a seasonal Connecticut pond swim beach with lifeguards, picnic areas, paddling, and a 2.5-mile shoreline loop.
Walk: longerTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4
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Amos Lake Beach
Preston, Connecticut
Private beach-club shoreline on Amos Lake, Preston; public access is a state boat ramp only, no open swim beach.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Angus Park Pond
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Toddler-depth Glastonbury town pond with a sandy swim beach at the south end; shallow, mellow, ice-skates in winter.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleBabb's Beach
Suffield, Connecticut
Suffield town beach on Lake Congamond with lifeguards, pavilion, and wheelchair mats; $20/car for non-residents.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleBantam Lake
Morris, Connecticut
Connecticut's largest natural lake; mostly private shoreline, with Sandy Beach and Morris Town Beach as the public swim doors.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Sandy Beach at Bantam Lake
Morris, Connecticut
Sandy Beach on Bantam Lake — Morris-run lifeguarded beach with concessions, volleyball, and a canoe launch.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleBashan Lake
East Haddam, Connecticut
Private-shoreline East Haddam lake; access is the state boat launch only, no public swim beach, hydrilla posted.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Beach Pond
Voluntown, Connecticut
CT/RI border pond off Route 165. State launch posts no-swim; town-run Finn Beach handles swim access.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleBennett's Pond State Park
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Former Ridgefield estate with carriage trails around a rhododendron-lined pond. No designated swim.
Walk: mediumTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Bicentennial Pond
Mansfield, Connecticut
Mansfield's lifeguarded town pond in Storrs. Open late June through late August; swim only when lifeguards are on duty.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleBigelow Hollow State Park
Union, Connecticut
Quiet water and pine-shaded shoreline on Mashapaug Lake and Bigelow Pond in Union. No designated swim area; unofficial shoreline entries only.
Walk: longerTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Birge Pond
Bristol, Connecticut
Page Park's stocked Bristol fishing pond. Shoreline loop and picnic tables; no designated swim.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Black Rock State Park
Watertown, Connecticut
Lifeguarded pond swim under basalt cliffs in Watertown. Short Mattatuck Trail climb for Naugatuck Valley views.
Walk: longerTrail: moderateParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Bradley Hubbard Reservoir
Meriden, Connecticut
Hubbard Park reservoir under Castle Craig. Metacomet Trail ridge overhead; swimming is posted prohibited.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Brookfield Town Beach
Brookfield, Connecticut
Brookfield's lifeguarded Candlewood Lake town beach. Swim raft, picnic area, and an adjacent boat launch.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleBunnell's Pond
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Olmsted-era Beardsley Park pond in Bridgeport. Fishing and a shaded loop; swimming is posted prohibited.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Candlewood Lake Town Beach
Brookfield, Connecticut
Brookfield's Candlewood Lake Town Park lakefront. Swim raft, picnic area, and a neighbor boat launch.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleCandlewood Town Park
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury's 200-yd Candlewood Lake beach. Lifeguards, concession, playground; non-residents pay daily rates.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleCargill Falls
Putnam, Connecticut
Quinebaug River mill dam in downtown Putnam. River Trail overlooks; no swim, strong dam hydraulic.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Dist: shortChaplin Natchaug River Swimming Spots
Chaplin, Connecticut
Ledgy Natchaug River pools along Route 198 in Chaplin. Diana's Pool gorge nearby; swim at your own risk.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: trailheadCrowd: 3Chatfield Hollow State Park
Killingworth, Connecticut
Lifeguarded pond beach in Killingworth's Chatfield Hollow. CCC-era stonework, shaded trails, and a shallow family swim.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Cockaponset State Forest
Haddam, Connecticut
CT's second-largest state forest across Haddam and Chester. Forest trails and brooks; the swim beach is Pattaconk.
Walk: mediumTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Pattaconk Recreation Area (Cockaponset State Forest)
Haddam, Connecticut
Pattaconk Lake swim beach inside Cockaponset State Forest. No lifeguard; DEEP-tested in season.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleCrescent Lake Park
Southington, Connecticut
Southington watershed pond with shoreline loop trails. No designated swim; trail and dog walker traffic.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleCrystal Lake (Middletown)
Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown's Ron McCutcheon Park. Veterans Memorial Pool for swim; lake has seen contamination closures.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleCrystal Lake Sandy Beach
Ellington, Connecticut
Ellington's Crystal Lake Sandy Beach on Route 140. Resident passes, non-resident walk-in fees, carry-in/carry-out.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleDay Pond State Park
Colchester, Connecticut
Small lifeguarded pond swim in Colchester. Quiet family day under the hemlocks.
Walk: mediumTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Eastbury Pond
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Glastonbury's family pond beach — gentle sand, summer lifeguards, daily per-car fee.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleEichler's Cove Beach
Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown's Lake Zoar town beach beside Eichler's Cove Marina. Weekly E.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleFinn Beach
Voluntown, Connecticut
Voluntown town beach on Beach Pond inside Pachaug State Forest. Swim-at-your-own-risk; no lifeguards.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleFreshwater Pond
Enfield, Connecticut
Enfield town pond off North Main. Fishing pier and walking loop — not a designated swim spot.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Gardner Lake State Park
Bozrah, Connecticut
Small DEEP sand beach on 528-acre Gardner Lake. Tiny lot — closes early on hot weekends.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleGay City State Park
Hebron, Connecticut
Pond swim beach inside Gay City State Park, Hebron. Ghost-town mill ruins on the trails.
Walk: longerTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Godfrey Pond
Weston, Connecticut
Hike-in pond inside Devil's Den Preserve, Weston. No swimming — hike-and-watch only.
Walk: mediumTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Granite Rock Passage in Westwoods
Guilford, Connecticut
Narrow granite rock corridor on Westwoods' Loop 10 in Guilford. A hike feature, not a real swim hole.
Walk: longerTrail: moderateParking: trailheadCrowd: 3Great Falls (Housatonic) at Falls Village
Canaan, Connecticut
Dam-controlled Housatonic cascade in Falls Village. Swimming prohibited — multiple drownings on record.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Great Hollow Lake
Monroe, Connecticut
Monroe's Wolfe Park lake — 700 ft of sand, town-resident-priority summer access.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleHigganum Reservoir State Park
Higganum, Connecticut
Undeveloped CT DEEP reservoir park in Haddam. No designated swim — trail loop, car-top paddling, fishing.
Walk: longerTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area
Middlebury, Connecticut
US Army Corps recreation area in Middlebury. Swim beach was closed in 2024 for algae — always check before you drive.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Hopeville Pond State Park
Griswold, Connecticut
Lifeguarded pond beach in Griswold's Hopeville Pond State Park. Campground and Pachaug Trail access.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Indian Notch Park Beach
Bolton, Connecticut
Bolton's 300 ft sand beach on Lower Bolton Lake. Lifeguarded Wed–Sun 9–5 in summer.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleIndian Well State Park Beach
Shelton, Connecticut
Housatonic River swim beach in Shelton. Lifeguards in season.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Jackson Cove Park
Oxford, Connecticut
Oxford's Lake Zoar cove park — small sand beach, lifeguards, resident-priority access.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleWaltermere Pond (Keney Park)
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford's Keney Park pond (Waltermere). Trout-stocked fishing water — no designated swim.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Kettletown State Park
Southbury, Connecticut
Lifeguarded Lake Zoar swim beach in Southbury. Ridge trail loops and a quiet-water state park feel.
Walk: longerTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Killingly Pond State Park
Killingly, Connecticut
Undeveloped DEEP pond on the CT/RI line, Killingly. Car-top launch and fishing — not a designated swim.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Lake Mashapaug
Union, Connecticut
CT's largest natural lake, in Bigelow Hollow State Park. No designated swim — paddle-and-fish headline.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Lake Mohegan
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield's only freshwater swim beach, plus a 170-acre open space with river cascades.
Walk: longerTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Lake Quonnipaug
Guilford, Connecticut
314-foot Guilford town beach on Route 77. Lifeguarded, small daily fee, no dogs on sand.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleLake Waramaug State Park
Kent, Connecticut
Lifeguarded swim beach at the north tip of 680-acre Lake Waramaug, Kent. Campground and picnic grove.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Lake Wintergreen
Hamden, Connecticut
West Rock Ridge reservoir. No swimming allowed; a flat 1-mile perimeter walk and warm-water fishing instead.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Lake Wononscopomuc
Salisbury, Connecticut
Town Grove beach on Connecticut's deepest natural lake (102 ft). Lifeguards, raft, no dogs or alcohol.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleLower Bolton Lake
Bolton, Connecticut
300-foot sandy beach at Indian Notch Park, Lower Bolton Lake. Lifeguards, small per-car fee.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleLower Moodus Reservoir
East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam Town Beach on Lower Moodus Reservoir. Residents with pass; state boat launch is no-swim.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleLynn Deming Park
New Milford, Connecticut
Candlewood Lake town beach, New Milford residents only. Lifeguards 11–6, pass required.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleMacedonia Brook State Park
Kent, Connecticut
Kent state park with small brook wading pools and the 7-mile Cobble Mountain blue loop.
Walk: mediumTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Mansfield Hollow State Park
Mansfield, Connecticut
500-acre flood-control lake on the Natchaug. No swimming — drinking-water reservoir.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Pomfret, Connecticut
Pomfret state park with a shallow swim pond, Wolf Den lore, and Table Rock views.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Miller Pond
Middletown, Connecticut
Forest pond near Middletown. Short path from a dirt pull-off; locals swim at own risk.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Millers Pond State Park
Haddam, Connecticut
Rocky-bottom 83-acre pond in Haddam; unofficial swim, no lifeguards, DEEP signs it 'not recommended.'
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Mirror Lake
Storrs, Connecticut
UConn Storrs campus pond, swimming banned. Walking-path stop only.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleMohegan Park Beach
Norwich, Connecticut
Spaulding Pond beach at Norwich's Mohegan Park. Lifeguards late-June to late-August.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleMono Pond State Park Reserve
Columbia, Connecticut
Shallow 113-acre Columbia pond; boat launch, fishing, no swim listing.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Mount Riga State Park
Salisbury, Connecticut
Remote Salisbury highland park. Ponds private; swim access is Salisbury-resident pass only.
Walk: longerTrail: hardParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Mount Tom State Park
Litchfield, Connecticut
Mount Tom Pond sand beach plus one-mile climb to the 34-ft stone summit tower.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleNehantic State Forest
Lyme, Connecticut
Uncas Pond sandy beach inside Nehantic State Forest, Lyme. Unguarded swim, free.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Pachaug State Forest
Voluntown, Connecticut
Largest CT state forest. Beachdale Pond launch + Green Falls Pond swim beach.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Pachaug State Forest, Green Falls Pond Swim Area
Voluntown, Connecticut
Roped swim beach on Green Falls Pond, Pachaug State Forest. Campground next door.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possiblePatriots Park Beach
Coventry, Connecticut
Coventry Lake town beach, lifeguards required. Non-resident fee $15 weekday / $30 weekend.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possiblePattaconk Lake Recreation Area
Chester, Connecticut
Natural wade-in swim in Cockaponset State Forest. A 2.6-mile loop circles Pattaconk Reservoir.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Pickett's Pond
Derby, Connecticut
Nine-acre pond in Osbornedale State Park, Derby. Primarily a fishing and skating pond — no designated swim area.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Quaddick State Park
Thompson, Connecticut
Sandy beach on 467-acre Middle Quaddick Reservoir in Thompson. Picnic grove, boat ramp, DPH-tested, no lifeguard.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Quassapaug Sailing Center Open Water Swim
Middlebury, Connecticut
Private sailing-center beach on Lake Quassapaug. Public access limited to the annual Open Water Swim Festival (0.5–5 mi).
Trail: very easyParking: trailheadCrowd: 3Quinebaug Lake State Park
Killingly, Connecticut
Undeveloped state park on 83-acre Quinebaug Lake, Killingly. Hand-carry launch only — no facilities, no lifeguard.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleRogers Park Pond
Danbury, Connecticut
Stocked fishing pond in Danbury's Rogers Park. The city pool handles swimmers — pond is a loop-walk and trout spot.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Ross Pond State Park
Killingly, Connecticut
Undeveloped state park on 45-acre Ross Pond, Killingly. Woods-road access, no beach, no lifeguard.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Sandy Beach at Bantam Lake
Morris, Connecticut
Morris town beach on 947-acre Bantam Lake — the largest natural lake in Connecticut. Lifeguards, sand beach, concession.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Satan's Kingdom State Recreation Area
New Hartford, Connecticut
Farmington River tubing put-in in New Hartford. 2.5-mile Class I–III float with tube-and-PFD rentals each summer.
Trail: very easyParking: trailheadCrowd: 3Swim possibleSaugatuck River
Westport, Connecticut
Tidal lower Saugatuck in Westport. No designated swim — DEEP boat launch and upstream dam pool only.
Trail: very easyParking: trailheadCrowd: 3Swim possibleSears Park Beach
East Hampton, Connecticut
Resident-only Lake Pocotopaug beach, East Hampton. Lifeguards 12–5 PM mid-June to mid-August; cyanobacteria advisories common.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleSharon Town Beach
Sharon, Connecticut
Sand beach on 188-acre Mudge Pond in Sharon. Swim lanes, rafts, pavilion — daily non-resident fee in season.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleSherman Town Beach Park
Sherman, Connecticut
Sherman's resident-only Candlewood Lake beach. Sand shore, swim raft, pavilion, tennis; sticker access only.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Swim possibleSouth Norwalk Reservoir
Wilton, Connecticut
Aquarion drinking-water reservoir in Wilton — no swimming, no boating. Perimeter hiking trails only.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Squantz Pond State Park
New Fairfield, Connecticut
Lifeguarded swim beach on Candlewood's Squantz arm in New Fairfield. Advance parking reservations on weekends/holidays in summer.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Staffordville Reservoir
Stafford, Connecticut
108-acre millpond on Morey Brook in Stafford. Unofficial causeway swim — roadside, no beach, no lifeguard.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possibleStratton Brook State Park
Simsbury, Connecticut
Small sandy pond beach in Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury. Unguarded swim; paved accessible trails through the woods.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Topstone Park Beach
Redding, Connecticut
25-acre pond beach in Redding's Topstone Park. Sand beach, free paddle-craft fleet, summer lifeguards.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4Wadsworth State Park
Middlefield, Connecticut
Upper Wadsworth Falls State Park area, Middlefield. Picnic grove and short Coginchaug spur — swim pond is half a mile south.
Walk: mediumTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Wadsworth Falls State Park Swim Area
Middlefield, Connecticut
Wadsworth Falls State Park's designated river-pond swim area in Middlefield. Seasonal lifeguards, weekly water-quality testing.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 4West Hartford Reservoir No. 1
West Hartford, Connecticut
MDC drinking-water reservoir in the West Hartford Reservoirs district. Trails and fishing yes; swimming strictly prohibited.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3West Hill Pond
Barkhamsted, Connecticut
Spring-fed pond with DEEP boat launch off Perkins Road. Public swimming is at Brodie Park on the New Hartford shore.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Wharton Brook State Park
Wallingford, Connecticut
Pitch-pine rimmed DEEP swim pond off Route 5, Wallingford/North Haven line. Trout stocking in spring, picnic groves, summer water-quality testing.
Walk: shortTrail: easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Stanclift Cove
Barkhamsted, Connecticut
Permit-only lifeguarded swim cove on MDC Lake McDonough, Barkhamsted. Serves New Hartford and Barkhamsted swimmers.
Trail: very easyParking: confirmed / officialCrowd: 3Swim possible