The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is committed to ensuring all visitors have access to the many outdoor recreational opportunities available at Connecticut State Parks and Forests. We offer accessible amenities across state lands and continue to retrofit more park facilities.
Accessible parking and picnic tables can be found at all park and forest recreation areas. Public buildings at most state parks are also accessible. Many parks also offer accessible fishing platforms, campgrounds, beaches, and bathhouse facilities.
Please check individual park listings to see accessible facilities, activities, and amenities available in each park.
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:
Accessible Camping
Hammonasset Beach State Park 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:
May 1 – September 1
Monday - Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Thursday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Off Peak Season
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Accessible Swimming/Beach Surf Chairs
There are five state parks that are equipped with 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
Saltwater
Additional Accessible Fishing Sites
Accessible Boat Launches
For details, please visit the Boat Launch Map
- 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
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.
All-Terrain Wheelchairs
Beginning in 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 at the five park locations listed below. The chairs are available to use free of charge. The chair operator, which may be the user themselves, or a designated caretaker who can use secondary controls, is required to provide a drivers 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
Our reservation system will open on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, for wheelchair reservations taking place on or after Saturday, October 26, 2024. Please visit the All-Terrain Wheelchairs page for additional information and reservation instructions. Please note that this is a 'soft launch' for a period of approximately three weeks of reservation availability. During this soft launch period, we will have limited reservation spots available, so that we can evaluate the reservation process and make adjustments and improvements as needed.
