Access for Persons with Disabilities

Access for Persons with Disabilities

The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is working to ensure that all visitors have access to the many outdoor recreational opportunities available at Connecticut State Parks and Forests.

Accessible parking and picnic tables can be found at all park and forest recreation areas.  Public buildings at most state parks are also accessible.  The conversion process is continuing with upgraded facilities currently in design for Hopeville Pond, Mashamoquet Brook, Quaddick, and Sleeping Giant State Parks; and Pachaug and  Shenipsit State Forests.  In 1996, Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury was the first to have a total retrofit making all park facilities (parking, trails, restrooms, picnic areas, beach) accessible. In 2024, ten all-terrain wheelchairs were purchased and placed at five state park and forest locations, available by reservation only for visitors with mobility impairments.  

Accessible Restrooms Accessible Camping Accessible Swimming/Beach Surf Chairs Accessible Fishing Platforms

Accessible Boat Launches Accessible Trail All-Terrain Wheelchairs

Accessible Restrooms

The majority of state parks provide accessible restroom facilities. Additionally, many of the bathhouse facilities at state campgrounds have an individual, unisex bath addition on the buildings.  The unisex bathroom enables a child or an adult to get assistance from any parent or partner.  Campgrounds with this amenity include:

• American Legion State Forest, Pleasant Valley
• Black Rock State Park, Thomaston
• Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
• Housatonic Meadows State Park, Cornwall Bridge
• Kettletown State Park, Southbury
• Lake Waramaug State Park, New Preston
• Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic

Accessible Camping

Hammonasset Beach has six campsites that are designated for use by individuals with disabilities.  The sites are in close proximity to restroom facilities, have electrical outlets and can be reserved.  To make reservations call Reserve America toll free 1-877-668-CAMP (2267) during the following hours:

Accessible Swimming/Beach Surf Chairs

Five parks, Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands and Squantz Pond have a limited number of beach wheelchairs available for visitors. The chairs are available to use free of charge, but a drivers license may be requested at the time of use.  Beach wheelchairs are available on a ‘first come/first served’ basis.  

Accessible Fishing Platforms

Freshwater

• Bigelow Pond and Mashapaug Lake Boat Launch -  Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union
• Connecticut River - Haddam Meadows State Park, Haddam
• Day Pond State Park, Colchester
• Devils Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
• Pattaconk Lake - Pattaconk Recreation Area, Cockaponset State Forest, Haddam
• Schreeder Pond - Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth
• Squantz Pond State Park near the boat launch, New Fairfield
• Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury

• Fort Trumbull State Park, New London

The Connecticut Angler's Guide lists additional accessible fishing sites.

Accessible Boat Launches

• Baldwin Bridge Boat Launch
• Bantam Lake Boat Launch
• Barn Island Boat Launch
• Bashan Lake Boat Launch
• Bayberry Lane Boat Launch
• Branford River Boat launch
• Lattins Cove Boat Launch (Candlewood Lake)
• Coventry Lake Boat Launch
• Dooley Pond Boat Launch
• Glasgo Pond Boat Launch
• Haddam Meadows Boat Launch (Connecticut River)
• Hatch Pond Boat Launch
• Lake Housatonic Boat Launch
• Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch
• Lake of Isles Boat Launch
• Lake Zoar Boat Launch
• Mashapaug Lake Boat Launch
• Niantic River Boat Launch
• Thames River Boat Launch

For details, please visit the Boat Launch Map

Accessible Trail

The Saugatuck Universal Access Trail in Redding is wheelchair accessible.  Visitors will be rewarded with views of the Saugatuck Reservoir from the trail's overlook platform.

Accessibility at Specific Parks

Check individual park listings for information on the accessible facilities and activities that can be found at that park.

All-Terrain Wheelchairs

As of October 2024, ten all-terrain wheelchairs will be available in designated State Park and Forest locations, available to users with mobility impairments free of charge.  Visitors will be able make reservations to use the all-terrain wheelchairs after completing a short video training.   

The all-terrain wheelchairs are currently available, with advance reservations, at the five park locations listed below.  There are no reservation fees. The chair operator, which may be the user themselves, or a designated caretaker who can use secondary controls, is required to provide a driver's license or other form of state identification at the time of use.  Both the user and operator will also need to complete a waiver on the day of their reservation.  

• Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill
• Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam
• Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford
• Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic
• Topsmead State Forest, Litchfield

Please visit the All-Terrain Wheelchairs page for additional information and reservation instructions.  

Content last updated October 2024