Guide
Swimming in Candlewood Lake: Beaches, Passes, Water Quality
Yes, you can swim in Candlewood Lake at public and town beaches. CT DEEP says Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield is a rare public space on the otherwise private shoreline, with a beach on Squantz Pond, a natural lake off Candlewood. Danbury, Brookfield and New Milford run town beaches on Candlewood, and Brookfield sells non resident day passes. New Milford's park pass page lists a non resident day pass, and its Lynn Deming Park facility page says the park is open for New Milford residents only. Marina Radar lists the boat launches at 3 of these parks across 3 towns below.
Swimming in Candlewood Lake by town
Danbury (1)
- Candlewood Town Park Boat Ramp
Boat launch · Danbury, CT
Call Candlewood Town Park Boat Ramp, (203) 797-4632Confirmed: Ramp
New Fairfield (1)
- Squantz Pond Boat Launch
Boat launch · New Fairfield, CT
Call Squantz Pond Boat Launch, (203) 312-5023Confirmed: Ramp
New Milford (1)
- Lynn Deming Park Boat Ramp
Boat launch · New Milford, CT
Call Lynn Deming Park Boat Ramp, (860) 355-6050Confirmed: Ramp
Newest record check . Listed by town, A to Z, not ranked. No business paid to appear.
Is Candlewood Lake clean enough to swim in?
The Candlewood Lake Authority has tested and monitored water quality since 1983, from May through October, at four sites on Candlewood and one on Squantz Pond. It says some algae, called blue green algae, can produce harmful toxins and should be avoided when swimming, that blooms typically occur in mid to late summer, and that not all algae is harmful. At Squantz Pond State Park, CT DEEP posts a water quality report that is updated weekly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Check both before you swim.
Source: Candlewood Lake Authority water quality page, Candlewood Lake Authority blue green algae page, CT DEEP Squantz Pond State Park page
Where is the public beach on Candlewood Lake?
Squantz Pond State Park, at 178 Shortwoods Road in New Fairfield, is the only state park on Squantz Pond or Candlewood Lake, and its beach and swim area are on Squantz Pond. CT DEEP says the park is open daily from 8 am to sunset, entry is free for Connecticut registered vehicles, and in the peak summer season parking is limited to 250 vehicles and the park closes for the day when full. You can reserve a weekend or holiday parking pass up to 14 days ahead.
Source: CT DEEP Squantz Pond State Park page, Candlewood Lake Authority parks and launches page
Can non residents swim at a Candlewood Lake town beach?
In Brookfield, yes, with a day pass. Brookfield Parks and Recreation lists a $20 non resident day pass per person per day for its Town Park Beach at 500 Candlewood Lake Rd, and season memberships are for Brookfield residents with proof of residency. The two official New Milford pages do not agree. The park pass page lists a non resident day pass for Lynn Deming Park at $30 per person per day, sold only at its Parks and Recreation office at 2 Pickett District Road, and season passes are for New Milford residents only. The Lynn Deming Park facility page says the park is open for New Milford residents only. Confirm with the town before you go. Danbury says its Candlewood Town Park at 36 Hayestown Road has 11 acres and 200 yards of beach, and its boat ramp is for Danbury residents only.
Source: Brookfield Parks and Recreation town beach page, New Milford Parks and Recreation park pass page, New Milford Parks and Recreation Lynn Deming Park page, City of Danbury Candlewood Town Park page
When do the Candlewood Lake town beaches open?
Danbury opened Candlewood Town Park for the season on Saturday, May 23, open 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 7 pm on weekends. New Milford says Lynn Deming Park opens on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and closes on Labor Day. Brookfield listed its Town Park Beach season from Memorial Day weekend to early September, with weekdays closed early in the season.
Source: City of Danbury Candlewood Town Park page, New Milford Parks and Recreation Lynn Deming Park page, Brookfield Parks and Recreation town beach page
Answers checked on the sources named under each one. Confirm details with the business or park before you go.
Parks with a beach and a boat launch
3 listings on record. Call to confirm.
- Candlewood Town Park Boat Ramp (Danbury)
- Squantz Pond Boat Launch (New Fairfield)
- Lynn Deming Park Boat Ramp (New Milford)
What should I ask before I book?
- Is there a lifeguard on duty, and when?
- Do you need a pass, and where do you buy it?
- Is parking limited, and can you reserve it?
- Are dogs, grills or alcohol allowed?
- Has the latest water quality report flagged anything?
How did Marina Radar build this guide?
Every listing here comes from Marina Radar records, and every service shown is a confirmed yes from the business's own site or a public source. Each listing page shows its sources and check dates. A service missing from a card means its record does not say, not that it is not offered. Listing cards do not show prices or space. Any price in the answers above is quoted from the named source on the check date. Call the business to confirm. See something wrong? Suggest a business or a correction.
For owners
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