Connecticut's Passport to the Parks
Your Connecticut registered vehicle is your passport to Connecticut State Parks and Forests! Through the Passports to the Parks Program, anyone in a Connecticut-registered vehicle can park free of charge at all Connecticut State Parks and Forests and enjoy the parks’ attractions and beauty all year round.
What is Passport to the Parks?
Anyone in a Connecticut-registered vehicle can park free of charge at all CT State Parks and Forests year-round.
Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more available to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under this program parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. To make this possible, an increase in registration fees was passed by the General Assembly.
How does the increase in registration fees benefit Connecticut residents?
The increase goes toward operating our state parks and eliminating the day-use parking fee for all those entering in Connecticut-registered vehicles.
What is the increased cost of the registration?
It is $5 per year, which means $15 for the customary three-year registration renewal for all non-commercial motor vehicles. It also will be assessed on all non-commercial motor vehicles obtaining plate transfers and new non-commercial registrations whether done at DMV or at a dealership. However, seniors 65 years old and older with a one-year registration renewal will have only an additional $5 fee each year.
What is a non-commercial vehicle?
These are passenger cars and vehicles with combination plates as well as motorcycles, campers/motor homes and vehicles with antique car plates. Combination plates are issued to a motor vehicle that is used for both private passenger and commercial purposes if that vehicle does not have a gross vehicle weight in excess of 12,500 pounds.
When did the new fee start?
The state law authorizing the fee was passed in 2017 and the fee was applied beginning in February 2018.
Will all owners of non-commercial motor vehicles be billed right away?
No. They will see the fee in their renewal notices.
Why am I being billed the Passport to the Parks fee again? I paid this fee on another vehicle registered to my household?
The fee is applied to all non-commercial motor vehicle registrations and is not limited to one vehicle per household. It is charged on each non-commercial vehicle registration regardless of how many an owner possesses.
What about out-of-state vehicles?
Vehicles with out-of-state plates will still be charged parking fees at state parks ranging from $7 to $22 depending on the park and time of day. Fees to reserve overnight campgrounds for both in-state and out-of-state visitors will still apply.
Why is everyone being charged the fee?
Connecticut has many beautiful state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches. These are all included in the new free parking for Connecticut-registered vehicles. Our residents should have equal access to these wonderful natural resources that are the economic driver for our state and the communities in which they are located. When people visit our state parks they also visit local restaurants, shops and local farms. This program brings many economic benefits for our state.
I am a Connecticut resident who is a senior citizen (65+). I had previously obtained a Charter Oak Pass from DEEP that provided me with free entry to parks. Do I still need to pay the $15 ($5 per year) Passport to the Parks fee?
Yes, you do need to pay the Passport to the Parks fee as the law does not provide exemptions for any groups. However, senior citizens are still eligible to obtain a Charter Oak Pass which provides free access to state museums, including Gillette Castle, Dinosaur and Fort Trumbull State Parks.
I am a Connecticut resident and a disabled veteran – I had previously obtained a Disabled Veteran’s Pass from DEEP that provided me with free entry to parks. Do I still need to pay the $15 ($5 per year) Passport to the Parks fee?
Yes, you do need to pay the Passport to the Parks fee as the law does not provide exemptions for any groups. However, Connecticut residents who are veterans with a service-connected disability are still eligible to obtain a Veteran’s Pass which provides free access to state museums, including Gillette Castle, Dinosaur and Fort Trumbull.
I am a part-time Connecticut resident but register my vehicle in another state. Can I access the parks for free?
No – your vehicle must be registered in Connecticut to receive the benefit of free parking where a fee is charged. Out-of-state registered vehicles are welcome and would pay the daily parking fee that is in effect or purchase a season pass.
How many people use the parks each year?
Each year more than nine million people visit our state parks – this makes Connecticut state parks one of the top tourism destinations in the state.
How will the fee be used to support the state parks and beaches?
The fee allows the State of Connecticut to give more to the public that has now invested in our park system: Increased lifeguards, improved park maintenance, shoulder season camping for opening day of fishing and into the fall foliage, and longer hours at our museums and nature centers.
Passport To the Parks
Non-Resident Season Pass ($112)
For the frequent park visitor from out-of-state, Connecticut offers a special season pass at a low fee. The pass allows unlimited non-resident vehicle access with the window sticker to any state park or recreation area that has a parking fee for no extra charge.
Non-Resident Season Passes are:
- Valid for one non-resident vehicle per pass
- Valid for the entire calendar year of issue
- Non-transferable to any other vehicle
Non-Resident Season Passes are not valid:
- For admission to Dinosaur State Park or Fort Trumbull State Park Exhibit Centers or tours of Gillette Castle, camping or special events with charges
- If an area is closed to the public for any reason
- For camping
- For commercial use or on a commercial vehicle
- Unless adhered to the windshield (motorcycle operators may hand hold the pass) of an out-of-state registered vehicle.
A lost season pass will not be replaced, so please handle carefully. Park passes, once received, should immediately be adhered to a vehicle windshield. If you replace your windshield or sell your car and need a replacement sticker, a replacement pass can be obtained upon presentation of the original pass or a recognizable portion thereof.
Purchasing a Non-Resident Season Pass
- Online: Visit the DEEP Online Store
- By Mail:
Send a check or money order for $114.50 (price includes $2.50 shipping and handling fee), payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut” to:
DEEP Licensing Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
Your pass will be sent via first class mail to the address provided in your request. - In Person:
Passes are available for purchase at State Park and Forest Recreation Area entrance stations during hours when parking fees are in effect. Visitors may show identification, buy a pass and use it immediately to enter the facility.
Non-Resident Season Passes for State Parks may also be obtained in person at:
- DEEP Licensing Division
79 Elm Street, Hartford
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(860) 424-3105 - DEEP Eastern District Headquarters
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(860) 295-9523 - DEEP Western District Headquarters
230 Plymouth Road, Harwinton
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(860) 485-0226 - DEEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(860) 434-6148 - Sherwood Island State Park
Summer Months Only at Ticket Booth
Exit 18 off I-95, Westport
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – Sunset
(203) 226-6983
Charter Oak Pass (Lifetime Use)
Available free to Connecticut residents, 65 years of age or older. Passholders can use this pass when visiting Gillette Castle, Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Parks. All other visitors, however, will be required to pay the appropriate fee. Passes are non-transferable and issued to a specific person and can only be used when presented by that individual. They are not valid for camping or special events having separate admission charges and may not be used for commercial purposes.
Get a Charter Oak Pass
- By Mail: Send a LEGIBLE photocopy of your current Connecticut driver’s license or other legal proof of age and residency to:
DEEP Charter Oak Pass
State Parks Division
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 -
In Person: A Charter Oak Pass may be obtained in person at the following locations (proof of age and residency required):
DEEP State Parks Division
79 Elm Street, Hartford
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(860) 424-3200
DEEP Eastern District Headquarters
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(860) 295-9523DEEP Western District Headquarters
230 Plymouth Road, Harwinton
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(860) 485-0226
DEEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(860) 434-6148
Dinosaur State Park & Visitor Center
West Street, Rocky Hill
Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30p.m.
(860) 529-5816
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Park Avenue, Groton
(Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(203) 445-1729
Sherwood Island State Park
Summer Months Only at Ticket Booth
Exit 18 off I-95, Westport
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – Sunset
(203) 226-6983
Harkness Memorial State Park
275 Great Neck Road, Waterford
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(203) 443-5725
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post Road, Madison
P.O. Box 271
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(203) 245-2785
Heritage Passport ($67)
Get unlimited access for you and your family to the exhibit space of three unique parks: Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks.
- Family pass: covers two adults and up to four children
- Valid until the end of the calendar year of purchase
Buy a Heritage Passport
- In Person: Passes are available for purchase for $67 at Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks.
Disabled Veterans Pass (Lifetime Use)
Cost: Free to Connecticut residents who have a service-connected disability. Get access to the exhibit spaces of Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks. Please note that each pass is issued to a specific person and can only be used when presented by that individual. The passes are non-transferable. They are not valid for camping or special events having separate admission charges and may not be used for commercial purposes.
Get a Disabled Veteran Pass
- By Mail:
Send a LEGIBLE photocopy of your current Connecticut drivers license or other legal proof of residency AND your VA card or VA Benefits Letter indicating a service-connected disability to:
DEEP Disabled Veteran Pass
State Parks Division
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 - In Person: A Disabled Veteran Pass may be obtained in person at the following locations (proof of residency and service-connected disability status required:
DEEP State Parks Division
79 Elm Street, Hartford
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(860) 424-3200
DEEP Eastern District Headquarters
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(860) 295-9523
DEEP Western District Headquarters
230 Plymouth Road, Harwinton
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(860) 485-0226
DEEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(860) 434-6148
Dinosaur State Park & Visitor Center
West Street, Rocky Hill
Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30p.m.
(860) 529-5816
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Park Avenue, Groton
(Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(203) 445-1729
Kellogg Environmental Center
Office of Communications and Education
500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby
Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(203) 734-2513
Fort Trumbull State Park
90 Walbach Street, New London
(Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(203) 444-7591
Harkness Memorial State Park
275 Great Neck Road, Waterford
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(203) 443-5725
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post Road, Madison
P.O. Box 271
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(203) 245-2785
