Mohegan Bluffs

Mohegan Bluffs

Mohegan Bluffs is a section of coast line along the island’s south coast adjacent to the Southeast Light. The entrance to the bluffs is on the Mohegan Trail about one third of a mile southwest of the lighthouse. I do recommend this beach for parents with children but it is better to plan on a visit rather than a long beach stay because it isn’t easy to transport a lot of gear.

From the parking lot there is a really, really long set of stairs descend to the beach. Going down is not so bad. Going up is tough, more so for the adults than the kids, who seem to relish it. You will definitely want the backpack for babies and toddlers. The scenery is magnificent whether you are at the top of the bluffs or descend to the beach. The bluffs are about 150 feet high and eroded into fantastical shapes. The surf is generally spectacular. The beach is a combination of sand and rocks. Swimming is possible and you should come prepared to do so, although if the surf is very rough you may want to restrict children to wading only.

Getting There: To get to Mohegan Bluffs from the ferry parking lot in Old Harbor turn left on Water St. Go through the mini-traffic circle that loops around the statue of Rebecca and continue on Spring St., passing the Spring House Hotel on your right. Continue up a very steep winding hill. At the top of the hill bear right onto Mohegan Trail. Pass the South East Light House on your left. After the light house there is a turn into a small parking lot at the top of the bluffs. If you head toward the Light House from the parking lot you will come to the Payne Overlook. Turn toward the right and you will come to the stairs descending to the beach.

Although it would be possible to bicycle to the Mohegan Bluffs with older kids I don’t recommend it because the hill on Spring St. is an outrageously nearly impossible to bike up for adults and kids, and really dangerous, especially for children, to bike down.