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. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or '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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07/03/2024

Reservations Full for Squantz Pond State Park on July 4th - No Additional Reservations Available

Visitors Without Reservation Will Not Be Permitted to Enter Park, Encouraged to Visit Sherwood Island State Park and Other Locations

(HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that reservations for Squantz Pond State Park are full for July 4th. Only those with reservations will be permitted to enter the park – those who do not have a reservation will not be permitted to enter the park and are encouraged to visit ctparks.com to make plans to visit alternate locations, including Sherwood Island State Park.  

Earlier this spring, DEEP announced a new online reservation system to improve the visitor experience and park management on summer weekends and holidays at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield. Park visitors have embraced the new reservation system, and July 4th is the first time that reservations have filled in advance. DEEP is pleased with the public’s utilization of the reservation system and anticipates that Squantz Pond State Park will continue to fill in advance on summer weekends (reservations are also full for Saturday, July 13), and encourages visitors to purchase reservations before attempting to visit the park. As of Wednesday, July 3rd, at 6:00 PM, reservations are still available at www.reserveamerica.com for July 5-7.

Squantz Pond State Park, a very popular destination, frequently fills to capacity on summer weekends and holidays, leading to crowded conditions and travel disruptions for visitors turned away when the park reaches capacity. To help improve the visitor experience and avoid these operations challenges, DEEP launched a new reservation system to enable visitors to secure a parking spot up to 14 days in advance for summer holidays and summer weekends. Visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve a parking spot ahead of their visit. The new system allows visitors to check the online system to see if any parking spots remain and to plan their holidays and weekends accordingly. Once reservations are filled, no one will be allowed to walk or drive into the park without a reservation.

Connecticut State Parks often fill to capacity. DEEP announces park closures in real time on our CT State Parks X feed, @CTStateParks. Please check the live updates through the day and have a backup plan in case your preferred park fills to capacity. DEEP’s new website, ctparks.com, has a park finder tool, that allows you to quickly and easily identify parks that offer your activity of choice within your geographic area.

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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Contact

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