Special Passes - CT State Parks and Forests

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Park Passes

Forest Trail

Non-Resident Season Pass for State Parks

Charter Oak Pass (Life Use)

Heritage Passport

Veteran Pass (Life Use)

Your Connecticut registered vehicle is your Passport to Connecticut State Parks and Forests!

All visitors arriving in Connecticut-registered vehicles can park free of charge at all CT State Parks and Forests year-round.

Season Park passes are no longer needed for Connecticut residents visiting our parks in their Connecticut-registered vehicles. More Information

Non-Resident Season Pass for State Parks

For the frequent park visitor from out-of-state, Connecticut offers a special season pass at a low fee. This windshield sticker pass allows unlimited non-resident vehicle access to any state park or recreation area that has a parking fee for no extra charge.

Non-Resident Season Passes are:

Valid for one non-resident vehicle per pass;
Valid for the entire calendar year of issue;
Non-transferable to any other vehicle.

Non-Resident Season Passes are not valid:

For admission to Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Park Exhibit Centers or tours of Gillette Castle, camping or special events with charges;
If an area is closed to the public for any reason;
For camping;
For commercial use or on a commercial vehicle;
Unless adhered to the windshield (motorcycle operators may hand hold the pass) of an out-of-state registered vehicle.

The fee for a Non-Resident Season Pass is $112 per out-of-state registered vehicle, and may be purchased in person in the Licensing Division, by mail, online through the DEEP Online Store, or at the park locations listed below.

Non-Resident Season Passes for State Parks may be obtained in person at:

DEEP Licensing Division
79 Elm Street, Hartford
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
(860) 424-3105

DEEP Eastern District Headquarters
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
(860) 295-9523

DEEP Western District Headquarters
2065 Thomaston Road, Watertown
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am -- 3:30 pm.
(860) 485-0226

Sherwood Island State Park
Summer Months Only at Ticket Booth
Exit 18 off I-95, Westport
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am - Sunset
(203) 226-6983

To purchase a Non-Resident Season Pass by mail:
Send a check or money order payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut for the appropriate amount - $114.50 for a Non-Resident pass (includes all applicable shipping and handling charges) to:

DEEP Licensing Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127

Your pass will be sent via first class mail to the address provided in your request.

A lost season pass will not be replaced, so please handle carefully. Park passes, once received, should immediately be adhered to a vehicle windshield. Passes are invalid unless they are affixed to the windshield of the vehicle.

If a windshield needs replacement or a stickered vehicle is sold during the recreation season, a replacement pass can be obtained upon presentation of the original pass or a recognizable portion thereof.

Charter Oak Pass (Life Use)

The Charter Oak Pass provides access to several State Parks and is available free to Connecticut residents, 65 years of age or older.

The pass is accepted for the Charter Oak pass holder when visiting Gillette Castle, Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Parks. All other visitors, however, will be required to pay the appropriate fee.

Please note that each pass is issued to a specific person and can only be used when presented by that individual. The passes are non-transferable. They are not valid for camping or special events having separate admission charges and may not be used for commercial purposes.

A Charter Oak Pass may be obtained in person at the following locations: (Proof of age and residency required):

DEEP Eastern District H.Q.
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
Monday - Friday / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
(860) 295-9523

DEEP Western District H.Q.
2065 Thomaston Road, Watertown

Monday - Friday / 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
(860) 485-0226

Dinosaur State Park
West Street, Rocky Hill
Tuesday - Sunday / 9:00am - 4:30 pm
(860) 529-5816

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Park Avenue, Groton
(Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Wednesday - Sunday / 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
(860) 445-1729

Fort Trumbull State Park
90 Walbach Street, New London
(Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Wednesday - Sunday / 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
(860) 444-7591

Harkness Memorial State Park
275 Great Neck Road, Waterford
Monday - Friday / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
(860) 443-5725

Hammonasset Beach State Park

1288 Boston Post Road, Madison

P.O. Box 271

Monday - Friday / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

(203) 245-2785

Sherwood Island State Park
Summer Months Only at Ticket Booth
Exit 18 off I-95, Westport
Monday - Friday / 8:00 am - Sunset
(203) 226-6983

To obtain a Charter Oak Pass by mail:

Send a LEGIBLE photocopy of your current CT drivers license or other legal proof of age and residency to: DEEP Charter Oak Pass, State Parks Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127. (Phone 860-424-3200)

Heritage Passport

The Heritage Passport allows the bearer to gain admittance to three facilities (Dinosaur , Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks) for unlimited visitation until the end of the calendar year in which it was purchased. The Heritage Passport cost is $67.00 and will allow a family (2 adults and up to 4 children) unlimited admittance to the three facilities. The Heritage Passport can be purchased at any one of the three facilities.

Disabled Veteran Pass (Life Use)

The Disabled Veteran Pass provides access to the State Parks and Forests listed below, and is available free to Connecticut residents who have a service-connected disability.

The Pass is accepted for the Disabled Veteran Pass holder when visiting Gillette Castle, Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Parks. All other visitors, however, will be required to pay the appropriate fee.

A Disabled Veteran Pass may be obtained in person at the following locations: (Proof of residency and service-connected disability status required):

DEEP Eastern District H.Q.
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
Monday - Friday / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
(860) 295-9523

DEEP Western District H.Q.
2065 Thomaston Road, Watertown
Monday - Friday / 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
(860) 485-0226

Dinosaur State Park
West Street, Rocky Hill
Tuesday - Sunday / 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
(860) 529-5816

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Park Avenue, Groton
(Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Wednesday-Sunday / 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
(860) 445-1729

Fort Trumbull State Park
90 Walbach Street, New London
(Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Wednesday - Sunday / 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
(860) 444-7591

Kellogg Environmental Center
Office of Communications and Education
500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby
Tuesday - Saturday / 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
(203) 734-2513