In a place as old as the Nutmeg State, there are sure to be a lot of ruins around. It’s not uncommon to see abandoned mental asylums, mills, and even entire ghost towns in Connecticut. Many of these places have been absorbed into nearby parks and are popular hiking trails. One abandoned place in Connecticut that’s not quite so well known is on Charles Island off the coast of Milford. This mysterious 14-acre island is only reachable at low tide by a narrow sandbar. It’s got the remnants of a 19th-century resort, but nature is reclaiming the island and little remains. This is a fascinating place for a hike, though its remoteness means few ever explore the area.

The sandbar (also known as a tombolo) that allows you to access Charles Island is only visible during periods of low tide. There's about a two-hour period twice a day in which you can access the island.
Randal J./Wikimedia Commons
Take note that the island is closed to visitors from May to August of each year. It is an important nesting area for herons and egrets and this seasonal closure allows their numbers to stay stable.
Emily Hawley/Alltrails
This island is part of Silver Sands State Park and it's beautiful. While it's now best known as a haven for birds and the occasional nature lover, it has a fascinating history.
D S/Alltrails

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In 1855, a summer resort hotel was built on the island. It found great success and even had an aquarium and pool. The hotel shut down not long after the owner passed away and a fertilizer plant moved to the area. This, too, shut down after a few years.
Kyle Rayner/Alltrails
In the 1920s, a parish built a small retreat on the island. The retreat could hold about 50 visitors and was intended to be a site for tranquility and relaxation.
Kyle Rayner/Alltrails
The retreat closed in the late 1930s. Now, the ruins of the buildings associated with it and the hotel are visible scattered throughout the island.
Nature is reclaiming this spot and it's unclear how long it will be accessible for. The sandbar providing access used to be much wider, but has eroded through the years.
sherry johnson/Google Maps

For more information about the short hike around the island, check out Alltrails.

Did you know about these fascinating ruins in Connecticut? Have you visited Charles Island? Share your experiences in the comments!

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Charles Island, Milford, CT 06460, USA