Silver Sands State Park

Silver Sands State Park is a coastal reserve in Milford featuring sandy beaches, salt marshes, and tidal pools that spread across half a mile of shoreline. A wooden boardwalk cuts through this natural area and connects the mainland to Charles Island, which visitors can reach by walking across the sandbar when water levels are low.

This coastal area was severely hit by Hurricane Diane in 1955, which prompted the state to establish the park in 1960. The transformation into a public nature preserve turned it into a place for both recreation and protection of coastal ecosystems.

The name Charles Island refers to King Charles II of England, whose reign influenced the settlement of this coastal area. Visitors can explore the traces of early inhabitants and the stories woven into the landscape that shaped this place.

Plan your visit around the tides, since the connection to the island is only safely walkable at low water levels. Coastal weather changes quickly, so it is wise to prepare for sudden wind conditions and rising water.

The island held mysterious stories in earlier times, but today its importance lies in the bird life that finds shelter there during migration seasons. Hundreds of bird species use this location as a crucial stopover on their seasonal journeys.

Location: New Haven County

Inception: 1960

Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Silver-Sands-State-Park

GPS coordinates: 41.20000,-73.07111

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00