Westport Beaches Compared
Westport has five public beaches on Long Island Sound, and only one is a state park. Sherwood Island State Park is free for any car with Connecticut plates and $15 to $22 for out-of-state cars. The four town beaches — Compo, Burying Hill, Old Mill and Canal Beach — need a Westport beach parking emblem in season, and only Compo and Burying Hill sell a daily pass ($45–$70 and $25–$50). For most visitors without a Westport emblem, Sherwood Island is the best value by far.
Westport Beaches at a Glance
Sherwood Island State Park
- Run by: CT DEEP. 235 acres, over a mile of beach, East and West beaches.
- Parking: free for Connecticut plates; out-of-state $15 weekdays, $22 weekends and holidays, $7 after 4 p.m.; $112 season pass (parking).
- Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, all year (hours).
- Extras: Nature Center, salt marsh trail, disc golf, the 9/11 Living Memorial.
- Dogs: not April 15 – September 30.
Compo Beach
- Run by: Town of Westport. 29 acres at 60 Compo Beach Road, at the mouth of the Saugatuck River.
- Parking: Westport emblem, or a daily fee of $45 weekdays and $70 weekends and holidays, May 1 – September 30; 125 daily passes a day.
- Hours: May 1 – September 30, 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Extras: lifeguards, boardwalk, playscape, concession, courts, skate park, marina.
- Dogs: not April 1 – September 30.
Burying Hill Beach
- Run by: Town of Westport. 2.39 acres of sand and rock at Burying Hill Road and Beachside Avenue.
- Parking: Westport emblem, or daily $25/$30 (Connecticut car, weekday/weekend) and $35/$50 (out-of-state).
- Hours: Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Extras: lifeguards, restrooms, changing area, picnic tables, grills, a wildlife area along the canal.
- Dogs: not April 1 – September 30.
Old Mill Beach
- Run by: Town of Westport.
- Parking: residents only, with a Westport beach emblem; the town sells no daily passes here (daily passes are sold only at Compo and Burying Hill).
- Hours: May 1 – September 30, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- A small 1.8-acre beach with no restrooms and limited parking; the town says no lifeguards are on duty (swim at your own risk).
Westport Beach Passes (Emblems)
Westport sells season parking emblems through Parks and Recreation. Residents buy them each year; for 2026 the town's emblem page says non-resident emblems are sold out. Without an emblem, your options are a daily pass at Compo or Burying Hill, or Sherwood Island, which needs no town pass at all.
Which Beach Should You Choose?
- Best value: Sherwood Island — free with Connecticut plates.
- Most space and nature: Sherwood Island.
- Lifeguards and a town-beach scene: Compo.
- Small and quiet: Burying Hill.
- With a dog in summer: none of them; dogs return to Sherwood Island on October 1 (dogs).
Other Beaches Nearby
DEEP's nearby list for Sherwood Island also names Southport Beach in neighbouring Fairfield. For a day that mixes beaches with town, see things to do in Westport.
Westport Beaches Compared FAQ
What is the best free beach in Westport, CT?
Sherwood Island State Park, which charges nothing for cars with Connecticut plates. Westport's town beaches need an emblem or a daily fee.
Do you need a beach pass in Westport?
For the town beaches, yes: a Westport emblem or a daily pass at Compo or Burying Hill. Sherwood Island is a state park and needs no town pass.
Can non-residents go to Compo Beach?
Yes, with a daily pass: $45 on weekdays and $70 on weekends and holidays, limited to 125 passes a day. Non-resident season emblems are sold out for 2026.
How many beaches are in Westport, CT?
Five public beaches: Sherwood Island State Park and the town's Compo, Burying Hill, Old Mill and Canal beaches.