Bluff Point State Park, Groton, Connecticut This easy loop trail is 3.6 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes to complete, making it an excellent choice for casual hikers and families. The classic loop features a well-maintained, wide gravel carriage road with magnificent ocean views along the way, andmany optional spur trails take you out to gorgeous ocean overlooks. The park offers pristine beaches and rugged shoreline beauty as the last significant chunk of undeveloped land along the Connecticut coastline. The flat fire road travels along the Poquonnok River and passes through wooded coastal forest, salt marshes, and open areas until the view broadens as the bluff and Long Island Sound come into view. Over 200 species of birds have been observed throughout Bluff Point, including several uncommon species of gulls, shorebirds and land birds. A historic site featuring the foundation of the Winthrop House—home of Connecticut’s first Governor John Winthrop—is located at a marked site off the main trail and dates back to the early 1700s. Trails are popular with walkers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, and access to the bluff is by foot or non-motorized vehicle only due to its Coastal Reserve designation.