Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

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

Press Releases

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03/20/2021

DEEP Announces 2021 Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge

This Year’s Challenge Calls Participants to Explore Bridges, Footbridges, and Boardwalks on 20 Trails Within Various State Parks and Forests

 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Parks Division is celebrating the start of Spring today by announcing the 2021 Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge!

The Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge began in 2015 to promote hiking in Connecticut’s state parks and forests. This year’s challenge is a great opportunity to hike “Bridges, Footbridges and Boardwalks” that are part of 20 trails within various Connecticut State Parks and Forests. Those who complete the challenge will receive a “Sky’s the Limit” hiking staff medallion and certificate to commemorate their accomplishment!

“Sky’s the Limit is a great way to explore Connecticut’s state parks and forests while joining others in a friendly challenge to visit all 20 locations handpicked by those who know the parks best – the staff of our state parks system,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Our state parks and forests, which are free to enter for those driving Connecticut registered vehicles thanks to the Passport to the Parks program, are such tremendous resources for us in this state, and their importance was underscored in 2020 by the significant increase in usage we saw due to the pandemic. We anticipate that will continue this spring and summer, and the Sky’s the Limit Challenge is a great way to get acquainted, or re-acquainted with many of our wonderful state parks.”

Participants in this friendly competition have the opportunity to receive a medallion and certificate for hiking to 15 designated locations.  For hiking all 20 locations, 50 people will receive a hand-carved hiking staff.  Names will be drawn from all who complete the 20 designated hikes.


Go here for more information on this year’s challenge, including the specific locations for taking photographs. 

2021 Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge Locations:

  1. Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill
  2. Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford
  3. Silver Sands State Park, Milford
  4. Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
  5. Black Rock State Park, Watertown
  6. Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth
  7. Collis P. Huntington State Park, Bethel, Newtown & Redding
  8. Southford Falls State Park, Oxford
  9. Wharton Brook State Park, Wallingford
  10. Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown
  11. Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted
  12. Ferry Landing State Park (DEEP Marine Headquarters), Old Lyme
  13. Kent Falls State Park, Kent
  14. Cockaponset State Forest, Chester & Haddam
  15. Sherwood Island State Park, Westport
  16. Devil's Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
  17. Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury
  18. Salmon River State Forest, Colchester
  19. Osbornedale State Park, Derby
  20. Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme

 

DEEP encourages every visitor to State Parks and Forests to “Love Your Public Lands” and be environmental stewards. It is important to carry out what you carry in, even if a trash receptacle isn’t in your immediate vicinity. Visitors are encouraged to learn about and practice the philosophies of environmental stewardship programs such as Leave No Trace to ensure that our public lands remain clean and healthy for the organisms who inhabit them, and the next person visiting them.

Participants are asked to practice safe social distancing when in State Parks or Forests. Keep a minimum of six feet of distance from other people, wear your mask when passing near other people, and allow proper distance when encountering others by ceding the trail to allow others to pass. If you’re not feeling well, stay home.

The Connecticut State Park system was founded in 1913 with the creation of the State Park Commission. One year later the Commission purchased its first land, about four acres in Westport for what became Sherwood Island State Park. Today, Connecticut has 110 state parks and 32 state forests attracting more than 9 million visitors each year, generating over $1 billion in economic activity for the state and supporting 9,000 private sector jobs. Those driving Connecticut registered motor vehicles are provided free entrance to the parks thanks to the Passport to the Parks program. For more information on Connecticut State Parks visit the State Parks page of the DEEP website, and follow the State Parks accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook.

 

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DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110