The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOT) are launching four special excursion bus trips this summer, including to some of our popular No Child Left Inside (NCLI)® events.  All excursions will use ADA accessible, air-conditioned motorcoaches with a limited number of seats available. Reservations are required and are first-come, first-served.  The park excursions are free, and a $2.00 non-refundable online reservation system fee applies to each seat.  Reservations are needed for each person riding on the bus, including infants and children.  Reservations are available through ReserveAmerica, at the links included in each event's description below.  

2025 Excursions Include:  

• Dino Day Excursion at Dinosaur State Park - Saturday, August 2, 2025

  This bus trip will travel back in time, figuratively, to Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, where visitors can view a 200 million year-old fossil trackway, one of the largest dinosaur track sites in New England.  Visitors can also explore hands-on fossil digs, live animal demonstrations, STEM activities, and more.  Ride the bus with us and avoid the hassle to find parking - this is a popular annual event and the park will be packed.  Food trucks will be available on site.  The bus will depart East Hartford Park & Ride at 10:30 a.m. and return by 2:15 p.m.  Gift shop available on site.  Reserve your seats at this link.    

• Saltwater Fishing & Harkness Memorial State Park Excursion - Saturday, August 9, 2025

  This bus trip combines two exciting events into one sun-and-fun-filled day!  We'll travel first to Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford to explore the Eolia Mansion, tour its gardens, and complete a scavenger hunt.  Then, board the bus to travel to Fort Trumbull State Park in New London to participate in the NCLI and DEEP Fisheries Division's Saltwater Fishing Day.  Loaner fishing equipment and bait will be provided, and volunteers from the DEEP Fisheries Division CARE Program will happily teach you all you need to know to (hopefully) hook a big one.  Bring sunscreen, lunch/snacks and water, as well as a cooler and ice if you choose - you may catch dinner!  The bus will depart Norwich Park & Ride at 9:30 a.m. and return by 3:15 p.m.  Reserve your seats at this link.   

• Boating Day Excursion at Hopeville Pond State Park - Saturday, August 23, 2025

  Looking to spend a day on the water at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold, trying out our 'fleet' of kayaks and canoes?  This bus trip is for you!  No rental fees or lugging boats around - we'll do all the work.  DEEP Boating Division staff will provide a brief safety overview and instruction, as well as lifejackets, so you can become a paddling pro.  Other activities, demos, and nature walks will available as well.  Bring sunscreen, beachwear, towels, water shoes or closed-toe footwear, lunch/snacks and water. The bus will depart Norwich Park & Ride at 11:30 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m.  Reserve your seats at this link.  

• Beach Day & Meigs Point Excursion at Hammonasset Beach State Park - Saturday, September 6, 2025 

  Experience Connecticut's largest shoreline park like never before!  This bus trip will take you to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, where millions of visitors flock each year to enjoy the largest campground east of the Mississippi River and two miles of sandy beach.  You'll enjoy a day at Meigs Point, including a tour of the Meigs Point Nature Center and its gardens, and a guided interpretive bus tour of the park's natural wonders.  You'll have time to explore the beach on your own, including its tide pools, jetties and more!   Bring sunscreen, beachwear, towels, lunch/snacks and water.  The bus will depart North Haven Park & Ride at 9 a.m. and return by 2:40 p.m.  Reserve your seats at this link.   

Why are we offering the ParkConneCT program?  Data used from the 2017 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) indicated a need for transportation to and from CT State parks and beaches. The data was used to implement the ParkConneCT program. The 2023 Statewide survey conducted by Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in partnership with DEEP uncovered two new major barriers to outdoor recreation. The two real or perceived barriers are lack of awareness and lack of parking. The revised ParkConneCT program aims to address these barriers while continuing to push for equitable access to parks.  Our vision is to increase equitable access to parks and foster awareness of programming in State Parks by offering the ParkConneCT excursion experience to families. These excursions will provide meaningful connections to State Parks and Forests through experiences.  
 

Want to experience more by visiting our State Parks and Forests more often?  The Passport to the Parks program enables all visitors arriving in Connecticut-registered vehicles to park free of charge at all Connecticut's State Parks and Forests year-round.   
 

While regular service through the program will no longer be provided to Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands and Sleeping Giant State Parks this year, there are still several alternative transit options, listed below:

• Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison:
  • The free Clinton Trolley is operating again this summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Trolley Information
     
• Silver Sands State Park, Milford:
  • Milford Transit Route 3 continues to stop at the Silver Sands entrance Monday through Saturday.   Milford Transit Information
  • Milford Micro is available Saturdays and Sundays for scheduled rides. Milford Micro Information  
     
• Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden:
  • CTtransit Route 229 offers full-time service to Whitney Avenue and Mount Carmel Avenue, which is about a 6-minute walk to the park entrance.  Route 229 Schedule