Gillette Castle Interior & Visitor Center open daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Memorial Day - Labor Day, and weekends through Columbus Day.
Advance purchase of tickets is highly recommended. Tickets are sold by the state, not the Friends.
Grounds are open daily, year-round, from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Please note that the East Haddam Swing Bridge is undergoing a major multi-year renovation (see the link for schedules and webcam links). The bridge closure schedule outlines days the bridge is scheduled to be completely closed. Alternatives are the bridges through Middletown or Old Saybrook, and the seasonal Chester-Hadlyme ferry.

Directions:

Gillette Castle State Park is located at 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423.

If you are crossing the Connecticut River, note that you can take either the Swing Bridge, or seasonally the Ferry which operates from spring through fall. Both are interesting travel points!

The Swing Bridge, which swings to accommodate river traffic, is a local landmark. Opened in 1913, the 899-foot-long bridge is reputed to be the longest of its type in the world. The bridge opens to recreational traffic on the hour and half hour and on-demand for commercial barge traffic.

A seasonal ferry connecting Chester and Hadlyme has been in operation since 1769! The present Chester-Hadlyme ferry, the Selden III, was built in 1949. It is an open, self-propelled craft, 65 feet long and 30 feet wide. The vessel can accommodate 8 to 9 cars and 49 passengers in normal times; due to the COVID-19 pandemic this is currently reduced. The ferry operates from spring through fall.

From southbound I-91, take exit 22 for Route 9S.

From north or southbound I-95, take exit 69 and follow Route 9N.

For a bridge crossing of the Connecticut River, take Route 9 exit 10 (old exit 7). Follow Route 82E and signs for Gillette Castle State Park.

Seasonally, for the Chester-Hadlyme ferry, use Route 9 exit 8 (old exit 6). Follow route 148 and park signs. The ferry operates spring through fall.