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.
Our state parks are struggling, and the Friends are concerned.
Please visit our new page: The state of our state parks describing the situation and how you can help.
Current happenings at the Castle!
Saturday April 27, 10 a.m. (Rain date Sunday April 28) Ferry Celebration! The Selden III is 75 years old!
Sunday May 19, noon - 3 p.m. Small-group Castle tours AND MORE! Join the 2024 soft opening of the season!
See a Virtual Tour of the Castle, provided by Connecticut's Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection
Founded in 1998, the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and education of the Gillette Castle and its scenic grounds, located within the Seven Sister Hills along the Connecticut River. We are always accepting new members and welcome any donations. Follow the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park Facebook page for updates on various events and appearances. Contact us with any questions.
Heartfelt thanks to our major donors:
2023-2024 supporters
CASTLE KEEPER
Lynn Wilkinson *
Robert Smith *
CLUB 1919
John C. Sherwood *
George Mattern *
Senator Norman Needleman & Jacqueline Hubbard *
Yankee Cider Company *
Staehly Farm & Winery *
Cove Cemetery Association
Supporting Business PartnerS
Ballek's Garden Center, East Haddam *
Hadlyme Country Market, Hadlyme *
Reynolds’ Subaru, Lyme
* multiple years
We are very grateful for all donations.
Check out our March 2024 newsletter, The Gillette Gazette