Leave No Trace

Be conscious of your impact to ecosystems, wildlife, and other park visitors by following Leave No Trace principles.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
  In advance of your trip, learn about park regulations, check out maps, and be ready for unexpected emergencies or inclement weather.
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  Stay on maintained trails and designated campsites.
• Dispose of Waste Properly
  Dispose of any waste, leftover food, and litter in trash receptacles. None available? Pack it in, then pack it out.
• Leave What You Find
  Take home photos and memories, but leave behind rocks, plants, and anything else you find at the park for future visitors to enjoy.
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
  Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, keep your blaze small, and put out campfires completely. Use locally sourced firewood only to limit invasive species, available for purchase at many of our campgrounds.
• Respect Wildlife
  Protect wildlife and stay safe. Keep your distance and don’t disturb or feed wildlife.
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors
  Help everyone have a positive experience. Share the trail, control pets, avoid making excessive noise, and respect other visitors to help everyone have a positive experience.

Recreational Trail Usage

• Multi-use trails
  Trails and service, logging and other roads are open to non-motorized activities, including hiking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing unless otherwise noted.
• Foot-traffic only trails
  Connecticut Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails and the National Park Service Appalachian Trail are limited to hiking except where they overlap a multiple use trail.
• Motorized trails
  Registered dirt bikes can ride on the motorized trail at Pachaug State Forest or at the Thomaston Dam. At the current time, Connecticut does NOT have any public areas open to ATVs. Riding an ATV on state or municipal property may result in charges of criminal trespass (Public Act 05-234).
• Public roadways
  Roads are open to registered motor vehicles, including registered dirt bikes, and non-motorized multiple uses unless posted otherwise.
• See an illegal activity? 
  Please call the State Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) at (860) 424-3333.

Special Use Licenses

The use of a Connecticut State Park or Forests which is normally restricted or prohibited, may be authorized by various means, up to and including a Special Use License granted by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner. To review the restricted or prohibited uses of a Connecticut State Park or Forest, please refer to the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies 23-4 (RCSA §§ 23-4).

Are you interested in a Special Use License, or unsure if your use of a state park or forest requires special authorization? Connect with the Special Use Coordinator via deep.specialuse@ct.gov, or by leaving a message on the phone service via (860) 424-3471.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application fee for a Special Use License Application?

The application fee is regulated through RCSA §§ 23-26-8 and the 2009 Public Act No. 09-3, section 391. Application fees are non-refundable and must be submitted with any application. An application will not be processed without an application fee.

• Public Institutions: $0.00
  This category includes public sector organizations such as federal and state agencies, municipalities, public schools, etc. In general, organizations that rely solely on public funding are not required to pay an application fee.
• Nonprofit Organizations and Events: $50.00
  This category includes all legally recognized nonprofit organizations (i.e., organizations having income tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service) or events or fundraisers from which 100% of the net proceeds will be allocated to legally recognized nonprofit organizations. The applicant will be required to certify that the event is being operated on a nonprofit basis.
• Commercial Organizations and Events: $625.00
  This category includes for-profit organizations engaged in profitable pursuits (i.e., commercial activity or private gain), and all events or fundraisers from which less than 100% of the net proceeds are allocated to legally recognized nonprofit organizations.
• Mobile Food Service Facility: $625.00
  This category is for itinerant food vendors such as Mobile Food Trucks, Mobile Food Carts, Ice Cream Trucks, etc.

What is the deadline to submit a Special Use License Application?

Applications should be submitted and paid for with no less than 45 business days (approximately 60 calendar days) prior to a proposed use. Special Use License Applications are reviewed by multiple departments and agencies and require adequate time to be fully reviewed.

Where can I download a Special Use License Application?

All Special Use requests must be reviewed by the Special Use Coordinator (SUC) prior to receiving an application. This is to prevent any unnecessary work in case there are issues with the requested use, the location, the proposed use dates, or other factors. Please connect with the SUC via deep.specialuse@ct.gov with the following details of your request:

• State Park or Forest Location
• Date of proposed use
• Total number participants & spectators anticipated for the proposed use
• Reason for use (mobile food truck, walk-a-thon, 5k, special event, etc,)