About this Location

Facility Overview

The parking lot at Bledsoe Hall on Trout Avenue is an open-air surface parking facility situated within the Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE New London) in Groton, Connecticut. Primarily serving military service members, unaccompanied housing residents, base personnel, and authorized contractors, this expansive lot provides direct, convenient vehicular access to Bledsoe Hall (Building 533) and neighboring base residential quarters. Because it is an open-air lot with no overhead barriers or height restrictions, it easily accommodates all vehicle classes, including standard passenger sedans, full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and high-roof delivery or service vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned on the historic and vital military installation known as the \'Home of the Submarine Force,\' the parking area is deeply integrated into daily base operations and local community life:

Naval Submarine School (SUBSCOL): Located within a short walking distance (5 to 10 minutes) across the installation, making this lot a critical staging point for students and staff.
Submarine Force Library & Museum & Historic Ship Nautilus (SSN-571): Located just outside the primary base perimeter along Route 12, roughly a 4-minute drive (1.5 miles) to the south, showcasing national submarine history and the world\'s first nuclear-powered submarine.
Thames River Waterfront & Navy Exchange (NEX): Within 2 to 3 minutes by vehicle or a brisk 10-to-15-minute walk, providing access to base dining facilities, commissary shopping, barbershops, and fitness centers (Morton Hall Gym).
Downtown New London & Historic Groton Bank: Situated just 10 minutes across the Gold Star Memorial Bridge (I-95), offering access to the Garde Arts Center, local dining, and the New London Union Station waterfront district.
Bluff Point State Park & Coastal Preserves: Approximately 15 minutes away via Route 1 and Groton surface streets, offering coastal trails, biking, and scenic Long Island Sound views.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular ingress and egress to the Bledsoe Hall parking area are achieved via Trout Avenue, connected through the internal base thoroughfares of Grayback Avenue, Shark Boulevard, and Portsmouth Loop. External access requires entering Naval Submarine Base New London through security checkpoints—most commonly the Main Gate (Gate 1) off CT-12 (Military Highway) or secondary operational gates. Regional connectivity is exceptional: CT-12 connects directly to Interstate 95 and Route 1 within minutes, facilitating rapid travel north toward Norwich via Route 12/Route 395 and south/west toward New Haven or Providence. Southeast Area Transit (SEAT) bus routes serve transit stops right along Route 12 outside the base perimeter, while the New London Train Station (Amtrak Northeast Regional and Shore Line East commuter rail) is located 4 miles southwest.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air surface asphalt parking with clear stall striping.
Generous parking footprint with no vertical height restrictions, accommodating oversized trucks and tall vans.
Designated accessible parking spaces marked with ADA compliance close to building entryways.
Complimentary parking for authorized active-duty personnel, reservists, base staff, and registered visitors.
High-mast base security lighting and regular patrols by Naval Base Security Force / DoD Police.
Direct pedestrian sidewalks and ramp access connecting the lot directly to Bledsoe Hall.

Ideal For

Military personnel and sailors residing in Bledsoe Hall and nearby unaccompanied housing units.
Students, instructors, and administrative staff attending training at the Naval Submarine School.
DoD civilian personnel, contractors, and visiting official delegations operating on the upper base campus.
Authorized family members and sponsored visitors with appropriate base access credentials.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because this facility is located inside an active federal military installation, all vehicle operators and passengers must possess valid Department of Defense identification, Common Access Cards (CAC), or prior clearance through the SUBASE New London Pass and Identification Office at the main gate. Drivers must strictly adhere to base-wide posted speed limits (typically 15 to 25 mph) and ensure that vehicle registration, state inspection, and proof of insurance are current and accessible. Overnight parking is reserved for authorized base residents and badge holders; temporary guests should ensure their vehicle is registered with the housing or barracks quarterdeck upon arrival.