All-Terrain Wheelchairs are available to visitors with disabilities that limit mobility, who meet the following criteria:

• All users must complete training videos to ensure understanding of use and safety guidelines prior to making a reservation.
• All users must make a reservation at least 4 days prior to visit.
• All users must have a companion or 'Trail Buddy', age 18 or older, to accompany the user at all times.  This Trail Buddy must also complete the training requirements listed above, and should be well-hydrated and capable of traversing park/forest terrain alongside the chair.  The Trail Buddy must also carry a charged mobile device for emergencies. 
• Minors and users without a valid drivers license/ID must have their trail buddy operate the chair via the secondary operator controls.  
• Complete Waiver (available upon arrival to the park/forest on the day of the visit).
• Maximum Weight:  300 lbs for TrackChairs or 350 lbs for Wheel-Based Chairs.

The all-terrain wheelchairs are currently available at the five park locations listed below.  Each location has one wheeled chair and one tracked chair.  

• 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

All-terrain wheelchair reservation availability varies by location, and will also change seasonally depending on staff availability and trail conditions.  Potential users will be able to view each location's seasonal availability on the Reserve America website, by clicking the 'Alerts and Important Information' drop down.   One reservation is available for each wheelchair per day, for a maximum usage time of three hours during our soft launch period through November 30, 2024. 

Please continue reading for more information on the reservation process.  

Safety of our all-terrain wheelchair users, companions/Trail Buddies, park visitors and our staff is our highest priority.  As such, each all-terrain wheelchair user must follow these guidelines:  

• Turn off the controls before entering or exiting the chair.
• Stay on designated trails at all times.
• Abide by the listed weight limits for all equipment.
• Allow only one person on the chair at a time - do not allow others to ride the chair with you, or pull on the chair when it is in motion.
• Always use the 4-point harness seatbelt.
• Avoid slopes greater than 20 degrees by staying on designated trails.  
• Be cautious on inclines.
• Approach small objects, such as rocks and roots, at an angle - not head on.
• Avoid 'high-centering' or trying to go over large objects (rocks, logs, etc.) between the wheels or tracks - this can damage the undercarriage and or get the chair stuck.
• Do not expose the controls to rain, snow, hail or sleet - cover immediately with provided materials and return to the starting point if these conditions occur.
• Do not attempt to climb stairs - natural or otherwise.
• For everyone's safety, including your pet or service animal, pets/animals are not allowed on the all-terrain wheelchairs.  We recommend leaving them home when possible, but if they must accompany a user, they must be under the control of the companion/Trail Buddy or another friend or family member.  State Regulations require all pets to be on a leash no longer than seven (7) feet, and under control of their handler at all times while on State Park and Forest lands.  Please note that pets are prohibited at some state parks and forest areas, and this may change seasonally.  
• Obtain necessary licenses, permits and training in advance for activities like hunting or fishing.
• Notify park staff immediately of any malfunctions, collisions, or other issues.  

I forgot to make a reservation.  Are walk-ins allowed?
At this time, reservations are required.  As this is a new program for us, we want to make sure that each user has the best experience possible.  Reservations help our park staff to be prepared in terms of having the equipment charged and ready, as well as making sure that a staff member is available.  

The park/forest I want to visit is not listed.  Can I request a new location?
The five designated park and forest locations were determined by a variety of factors, including staffing level, facilities, trail conditions and more.  A significant amount of time is spent training park staff, conducting trail assessments and marking/blazing approved trails, and setting up the reservation system.  We may be looking to move the chairs to new locations in the future, and we will reach out to all users periodically for feedback.  

How long do I have to use the chair during my reservation?
For our initial rollout of this program, we are estimating that our park staff will be available for about a two or three hour period for each reservation. If you are looking to use it for a visit lasting longer than three hours, please check with park staff to ensure availability. Remember that most state parks and forests close at sunset, with the exception of Dinosaur State Park which operates by different hours.  We also want to ensure that following each reservation, our park staff have enough time to clean, check, and charge equipment properly so that it is ready for the next reservation.  

Is there a maximum weight allowed?
Yes, there is.  Our tracked wheelchairs allow a maximum user weight capacity of 300 lbs, and our wheel-based wheelchairs allow a maximum user weight capacity of 350 lbs.  

I don't have a companion or 'Trail Buddy'.  Can I still use an all-terrain wheelchair?
For safety reasons, all users must have a companion or 'Trail Buddy' with them at all times when using the wheelchairs. 

Are park staff available/trained to transfer users or assist with transfers?
No, for safety reasons, users and their companions/'Trail Buddies' are solely responsible for the transfer of a user to and from the all-terrain chair.  Park staff cannot assist with transfers, maneuvering, or chair adjustments.  We hope to eventually partner with organizations to provide volunteer Trail Buddies.  

Can park staff hold my bags, and secure my belongings during my reservation? 
Users must store their personal belongings and medical equipment (including transfer chairs) in their own vehicles and trailers.  Park staff are not able to store or take responsibility for personal belongings.  

Can these all-terrain wheelchairs be used in the rain and during inclement weather?
Our all-terrain wheelchairs contain sensitive electronics which should not be wet.  The most critical components are the joysticks and/or controls.  When inclement weather is likely, we will cancel reservations and ask that you reschedule.  When unexpected inclement weather occurs, we ask that users immediately cover the joystick and controls with included plastic bags (provided by us), and immediately return to the starting location.  While we understand it can be frustrating to have plans change due to rain, we also want to ensure that our chairs remain operational and functional.  

Can my pet or service animal ride with me?
Only the user is allowed in the chair, and no animals are ever allowed in the chair for safety reasons.  Service animals may accompany users on the ground, but must be leashed and under the control of another person at all times.  Pets are prohibited in some park and forest locations, and this can vary seasonally as well.  In areas and at times when pets are allowed, they must also be leashed and under control of another person at all times.  Leashes can be no longer than seven (7) feet in length.  

My plans have changed, and I need to cancel my reservation.  How can I do that?
Visit connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com.  
Select 'Sign In/Sign Up' in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
Sign in using your email address and password.  
Select 'Current Reservations'.
Find the reservation you need to cancel, then click 'Cancel Reservation'.
Click the 'Proceed With Cancellation' button.  

In order to make a wheelchair reservation, please follow these steps:  

1. Watch the training videos.   Note that there is a separate training video for each all-terrain wheelchair model.
   • Tracked Chair Training Video
   • Wheel-Based Chair Training Video
2. Visit Reserve America, and select the profile icon in the upper right hand corner to either sign into your account, or sign up for a new account. 
3. Under 'Find an Adventure' on the Reserve America homepage, type in 'wheelchair'.  Select the location and click search. 
4. Select 'Check Availability' then click the 'Alerts and Important Information' banner to view specific availability for the selected park location.  
5. Use the calendar to select the date you are interested in.  
6. Select the chair type you would like to reserve and make your reservations online.   Use the pass number that was provided in the video description.  
7. You will receive a confirmation email with additional information.  Please review this information carefully.
8. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your reservation time, with your companion/'Trail Buddy' as well as a charged cell phone device, and driver's license or other form of State of CT identification.
9. Park staff will have you complete a waiver prior to use.  

In case you need to cancel your reservation, you may do so through Reserve America.  If it is within three days of arrival, please also call the park office to let our staff know.  The park office contact information will be listed on your confirmation email.  

Reservations for all-terrain wheelchairs are available online at Reserve America or by calling toll free 1-877-668-CAMP (2267) during the following hours:

May 1 – September 1
Monday - Wednesday: 8 am - 2:30 pm
Thursday - Friday: 8 am - 6:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am - 12 pm

Off Peak Season (September 2 - April 30)
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 12 pm

Reservations can be made up to one month in advance, and a minimum of four days in advance.  There are no reservation or use fees.  

Please email us at deep.stateparks@ct.gov, or call 860-424-3200 for assistance.  We will respond to you as soon as we can.