NATURE: CONNECTICUT

Connecticut

Connecticut has a variety of public areas for those who want to get out for the day. State parks and forests are open daily. Entrance fees to the state-run facilities vary by site and time of visit. Generally, parks on the water (Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island, and Squantz Pond) charge nonresidents $12 per car on weekends and holidays and $8 during the week. The parking fee for inland parks is $8 per car on weekends and holidays and $5 during the week. There are many more areas available for day use listed under "Camping." Most state forests and parks either prohibit pets or restrict them to leashes in certain areas - you should check with each area before heading out. Glass bottles, open fires, pets, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on state beaches, but are okay (except for beer kegs) in some picnic areas; call to confirm. For information about parks not listed here, call the Dept. of Environmental Protection, State Parks Division, at (860) 424-3200. Note: the hours, facilities, visible wildlife, and any other information in these listings is valid through Labor Day only. Also, many of these places have the right to exclude large groups (generally, 25 or more) that show up without reservations.

Barnes Memorial Nature Center

Bartlett Arboretum

Beardsley Zoological Gardens

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve

Chatfield Hollow

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center

Devil's Den Preserve

Dinosaur State Park

Gillette Castle State Park

Goodwin State Forest and Conservation Area

Larsen Sanctuary

McKinney National Wildlife Refuge