Pavilion & Picnic Shelter

The main pavilion at Sherwood Island State Park, on Sherwood Point, is closed for the 2026 season, along with its snack bar. For a covered spot, the East Beach picnic shelter holds up to 64 people and can be reserved from May 1 to September 30 through ReserveAmerica. Picnic tables and grills are spread across the east side and the wooded west side, first come, first served.

The Main Pavilion

The pavilion stands on Sherwood Point, beside the 9/11 Living Memorial, with its own parking lot. In a normal season it has a food concession, tables and public restrooms. It also holds the bio-plaques and the sculpture made with World Trade Center artifacts that were dedicated for the memorial's tenth anniversary in 2011.

For 2026, DEEP has closed the pavilion for the season. DEEP has not said when it will reopen. Bring your own food, and check the DEEP park page before a 2027 visit.

The East Beach Picnic Shelter

With the pavilion closed, the shelter at East Beach is the park's reservable covered space:

• Capacity: up to 64 people.
• Season: reservations May 1 to September 30. The shelter is closed October 1 to April 30.
• How to book: online through ReserveAmerica (Connecticut State Parks, Sherwood Island State Park).
• What is nearby: East Beach, the bathhouse and restrooms, the Nature Center, open lawns and the salt marsh path.

Out-of-state guests' cars still pay the daily parking fee; Connecticut cars park free (parking). For larger groups arriving by bus, a DEEP bus permit is required for buses seating 30 or more.

Picnicking Without a Reservation

Most of the park's picnicking is first come, first served:

• West side: a shaded picnic grove with tables and grills throughout, near West Beach and the disc golf course.
• East side: picnic tables and grills near East Beach, with open lawns for kites and games.

DEEP describes the picnic grove as a place to "relax in the shade," and on hot weekends the shaded tables go early. Bring a blanket as a backup.

Rules for Picnics

• No alcohol. Sherwood Island is on DEEP's list of state parks with an alcohol ban.
• Grills: use the park grills or your own off the ground, and dispose of coals in the containers provided.
• Pack out what you bring when bins are full.
• No dogs April 15 to September 30 (dogs).

Food Nearby

With the snack bar closed for 2026, the nearest food is in Westport and the Greens Farms and Southport areas, a few minutes' drive from the Connector. DEEP's "While You're Here" list on the park page names several nearby restaurants. See things to do in Westport.

Planning a Group Picnic

With the main pavilion closed, the East Beach shelter is the only reservable covered space for 2026, so book it as soon as reservations open for your date. For groups bigger than 64, plan for picnic tables nearby and bring pop-up shade. Bus groups need a DEEP permit if the bus seats 30 or more. Bring everything you need: there is no snack bar this season, and there is no alcohol allowed anywhere in the park. Connecticut guests park free; out-of-state guests pay $15 on weekdays and $22 on weekends (parking). The East Beach bathhouse and restrooms are close by, and the Nature Center next door keeps children busy Wednesday to Sunday (Nature Center).