Gillette Castle State Park
East Haddam, CT
A fieldstone mansion built like a medieval castle on a hill above the Connecticut River, once the home of an actor. Tour the quirky interior, then walk the grounds for river views; the ferry crossing nearby makes a fun detour.
The actor William Gillette, famous for playing Sherlock Holmes on stage, designed and built this castle between 1914 and 1919; an addition followed in 1924. He lived here until his death in 1937. The 24-room house of about 14,000 sq ft (1,300 m²) is built of fieldstone over a steel frame, and inside he used hand-hewn white oak. Gillette devised 47 different doors with individually carved latches, plus hidden doors and mirrors that let him watch his guests. Connecticut bought the estate in 1943 for $29,000.
The castle stands on the "Seventh Sister", the southernmost of the Seven Sisters hills, in a 184-acre (74 ha) park above the Connecticut River. A 3-mile (5 km) narrow-gauge railroad once ran on the grounds, and its locomotives are now displayed in the visitor center. After a four-year restoration the castle reopened in 2002. Allow two to three hours; there are also hiking trails and picnic areas.
- Nearest town
- East Haddam, CT
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 41.4180, -72.4296
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Wolf's Den Family CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Gillette Castle State Park
- Salem Farms CampgroundMotorhome stopover8 mi from Gillette Castle State ParkMotorhomes
- Witch Meadow Lake CampgroundCampsite9 mi from Gillette Castle State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToilets
- Deer Lake CampCampsite10 mi from Gillette Castle State Park
- Aces High RV ParkMotorhome stopover11 mi from Gillette Castle State ParkMotorhomes
- Hidden Acres Family CampgroundMotorhome stopover23 mi from Gillette Castle State ParkMotorhomes
All campsites in Connecticut · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Gillette Castle State Park?
Gillette Castle State Park is in East Haddam, CT, at GPS 41.4180, -72.4296. It is about 24 mi from Mystic.
Can you camp near Gillette Castle State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Cedars Camp Area, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 54 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Gillette Castle State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Essex Village (5 mi), Chapman Falls, Devil's Hopyard (7 mi), Hammonasset Beach State Park (12 mi) and Mystic Seaport Museum (24 mi).
When is the best time to visit Gillette Castle State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)