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

Camping in the sun at Selden Neck (Instagram@thevagueastronomer)

Canoes parked on the shore of the lake (Instagram@rookie1848)

Dogs running in the water at Selden Neck (Instagram@bigrig_rigby)

Two people kayaking on the lake (Instagram@rlmatsch59)

A man canoeing in the lake (Instagram@jennmparks)

Two people rock climbing (Instagram@traprock_pipedreamz)

a large wall of rock in the woods (Instagram@j_ball124)

A man standing on rocks in the woods overlooking the scenery (Instagram@lymelandtrust)

Boats at the dock (Instagram@rlmatsch59)

Three women on a hike through the woods (Instagram@jeteallard)

Location

(Accessible only by water)
Lyme, CT 06371

Get Directions

Details

Open Daily
(8:00 a.m. – Sunset)

Park Maps

Contact

Main (860) 526-2336

Activities

Overview

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

This park is an island and is only accessible by boat.

Boating

Know Before you Go

Camping

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

Notice to Campers

The Selden Neck Campground is located near State lands that are also open to hunting. The season for goose opens immediately after Labor Day and archery season for deer opens in mid-September. Hunting is not permitted on Sunday. If you are camping when hunting is permitted, please note the following precautions:

Wear bright clothing such as a fluorescent orange vest or hat. Avoid brown, tan, gray or white.
If you see someone hunting, call out to them to identify your location.
Let someone know where you are going, and when you will return.