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Silver Sands State Park

A sandbar walk to an island!

Silver Sands StateParkA sandbar walk to an island!

How long is the walk?


The sandbar is about a mile each way. It is a lot longer than it looks! You'll also cross a LONG boardwalk and wide beach before you get to the sandbar. It typically takes my boys about 20 minutes just to get from the parking lot to the start of the sandbar.



Some notes from my family's experience:


This is a really special and unique experience - a sandbar that stretches all the way to an island, with treasure hunting along the way (shells, rocks, sea glass, and other cool things!).


Silver Sands Beach can get REALLY busy. We mostly enjoy this adventure in the off season (fall, winter, early spring). Rain boots and rain pants make a beach outing much easier in the off season. Anything on the water is usually cooler and windier than inland, so bring an extra layer.


You need to plan for the tides on this one and go at low tide! Tide tables HERE. The sandbar is uncovered at least an hour before and after low tide. The lowest point of the sandbar goes underwater quickly when the tide is coming in, so plan carefully, keep track of time, and never try to cross a water covered part of the sandbar.


My boys can hike a mile in 15 - 20 minutes, but it usually takes us about 40 minutes each way to do the mile long sandbar. The sandbar is rocky (definitely need shoes or sandals, not bare feet), and there are so many interesting treasures to search for that we have to plan for plenty of time. Take some buckets for treasure collecting!


You can walk around the island once you reach it. It takes 30 - 40 minutes to walk around, so be sure you have reached the island before peak low tide and that you have plenty of time to go around. Some tides are lower than others, so sometimes you have more time to get around the island. We have only gone around once, but have made the trek to and from the island lots of times.



More Information:

There is lots of interesting information online about Silver Sands Beach and Charles Island!

History of Charles Island

Cursed Charles Island!

Pics and info from Only in Your State

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About this series of hikes and outdoor adventures

Our programs for children at Common Ground are place based, hands on, and focus on community, friendship, and nature based learning and play.


In this time of program closure and social distancing, we are seeking to support families and children in getting outside in safe and healthy ways .We hope you can stay active and get some sunshine and fresh air, and that this series of hikes and adventures offers some inspiration for places to explore.


Guidance from CT DEEP HERE on hiking and outdoor activities while staying safe and healthy.


This series is shared by Rebecca Holcombe, Director of Children's and Community Programs at Common Ground. Rebecca has two boys (ages 6 and 8), who enjoy outdoor adventures around CT and beyond. Photos and content for this series is drawn from 52walksinthewoods, a personal Instagram project (now in its 4th year!) to document at least one nature based adventure with my boys, every week of the year.