Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Connecticut Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences

Collage of people recreating outdoors

Goals of the Office

Connecticut’s $6 billion outdoor recreation economy is the second largest in New England and grew by 4.3% in 2024, outpacing the national average of 4% and demonstrating a continued trend of strong growth since the pandemic. Building on this momentum, DEEP launched a new, interactive State Parks website, Governor Lamont and the Legislature committed an historic $80M to the Restore CT State Parks initiative, and most recently DEEP established the Connecticut Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences. Led by Jeff Shaw, the Office focuses on growing Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy by:

  1. Partnering with the private sector to provide new or expanded outdoor recreation experiences in Connecticut State Parks.
  2. Expanding and protecting equitable access to outdoor recreation experiences.
  3. Promoting Connecticut both as an outdoor recreation tourism destination and as a place to live, work and play outside.

What's New!

Partnerships in Parks header image of people tubing on a river

About the Partnerships in Parks Initiative

The Partnership in Parks Initiative seeks to partner with the private sector to elevate outdoor recreation and visitor experiences, increase access to the outdoors and expand tourism destinations in State Parks. Here’s how:

A standing Request for Information (RFI) seeks ideas from park visitors for the types of experiences, services and amenities they would like to see in State Parks (via survey). Concurrently, vendors are encouraged to submit ideas on the types of experiences, services and amenities they can provide (via Submission Template). Visit the RFI webpage for additional information.

Any Request for Proposals (RFPs) resulting from the RFI will first be released in draft form for public review and comment. This process allows both the public and potential bidders to provide feedback on the objectives, scope, terms, evaluation criteria and selection process. After the comment periods conclude, DEEP will review and consider the feedback received, and may announce and release a formal RFP for which proposals will be accepted. Visit the RFP webpage for additional information

Other partnership structures within the Partnerships in Parks Initiative include Special Use Licenses (SULs) and Educational Partnerships (ex: No Child Left Inside programs). Visit the RFI webpage and CTParks.com for additional information.

RFP for Paddlecraft Rentals in Seven State Parks

  • Coming Soon: Announcement of New Paddlecraft Rental Services in State Parks!

Call for Mobile Food Trucks in Select State Parks

DEEP State Parks is seeking to expand the available mobile food and beverage concession options at certain State Parks through the Special Use Itinerant Vendor License process. Itinerant Vending is a temporary license that authorizes mobile food service facilities (e.g., mobile food truck or mobile food trailer) to provide food and beverages to the general public during the recreation season at a specific State Park. The number of available vendor spaces and the locations which accept itinerant vending vary.

DEEP State Parks has identified the following locations for itinerant vending food and beverage services:

  • Black Rock State Park in Watertown – 3 spaces available.
  • Bluff Point State Park and Coastal Reserve in Groton – 1 space available with location specific limitations.
  • Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill – 2 spaces available with location specific limitations and food vendor type preferences.
  • Salt Rock State Park Campground in Baltic – 2 spaces available.
  • Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury – 1 space available with location specific limitations and food vendor type requirements.

Please reach out to DEEP.specialuse@ct.gov for more information on the licensing process, what types of food and beverage vendors each park location is seeking, and any other questions you may have. Note: Special Use is an application-based licensing process that has an associated application fee, insurance requirements, and additional permitting needs.

Share Your Ideas for New Experiences, Services and Amenities in CT State Parks

View the Request for Information (RFI) overview and supporting documents at the Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences new RFI webpage.

Outdoor Industry Events

Check out our events page to stay up to date on upcoming outdoor industry events.

Stay Connected

Sign up for the Connecticut Outdoor Industry & Experiences email newsletter. Connecticut has 110 State Parks with amazing facilities, trails, beaches, campgrounds, and more for the public to enjoy. Through new and expanded partnerships, we aim to elevate outdoor recreation experiences, increase equitable access to the outdoors, and expand tourism destinations in these State Parks. This email newsletter will deliver the latest information about these efforts and new partnership opportunities.

Sign up for Connecticut Outdoor Industry & Experiences newsletter

Newsletter archive:

Contact DEEP.PartnershipsInParks@ct.gov with any additional questions.