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

Beyond the Centennial Banner - State Parks Centennial
Concluding the year-long celebration the event – The Sky’s the Limit - will propel Connecticut State Parks into the next century.  There are many projects that are currently underway and many more projects and programs that are planned for the future.

  • 100 cabins are being built in State Park campgrounds across the state.  Currently Black Rock (Watertown), Hammonassset Beach (Madison), Housatonic Meadows (Sharon), Kettletown (Southbury) and Lake Waramaug State Parks have rustic cabins available for rent.

  • Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, re-opened a new Discover Room where park visitors are able to explore new, state-of-the-art exhibits for both adults and children.

  • A new Meigs Point Nature Center will be built at Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison with alternative energy initiatives to include geothermal heating and cooling, as well, as photovoltaic panels to generate electricity.

  • The pavilion at Sherwood Island State Park, Westport will receive a complete renovation incorporating solar photovoltaic panels on the Sherwood Island pavilion, energy efficient lighting and water conservation.

  • Introduction of the Connecticut State Parks mobile App.

  • The next phase of development of Silver Sands State Park, Milford will take place including bathhouse and other improvements.

  • New bathhouse will be built at West Beach, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison

  • Major utility upgrades at Sherwood Island State Park (new water lines) and Hammonasset Beach State Parks (water, electric & gas)

  • Other statewide improvements to facilities, such as new picnic pavilions and energy efficient heating and lighting systems

  • Certification program for State Park Interpreters (naturalists and historical interpreters) to be implemented.

  • In cooperation with the Friends of CT State Parks, the historic Lord & Burnham greenhouse at Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, will be restored.

  • Technology upgrades to better serve the public including expanded credit card processing at the parks.

  • The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) a planning document that identifies outdoor recreation issues of statewide significance, completed for 2011-2016, will continue to collect data for future plans.

  • Major renovations to the Harkness Memorial State Park support complex & Rocky Neck State Park’s Ellie Mitchell pavilion.

  • No Child Left Inside® will remain committed to expanding the Great Park Pursuit and other similar programs that encourage families to get outdoors for their own health and well-being and for the future of environmental conservation.

  • Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth, development of natural and cultural history programs and exhibits, including an interpretive exhibit on the Civilian Conservation Corps.

  • Connecticut State Parks will offer First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day.

  • Connecticut will remain committed to the acquisition of open space.

Content last updated May 1, 2013