What are the rules around using state parks, campgrounds, golf courses, and other outdoor recreation areas?

What are the current rules around outdoor recreation areas?

State Park and Forest recreation areas are fully open, with most park buildings, museums, nature centers and other enclosed structures, including restrooms, open as of Memorial Day weekend.

When possible, DEEP requests that visitors try to maintain social distancing from individuals outside of their own household while inside park buildings, along with adhering to face mask wearing requirements. Fully vaccinated visitors are not required to wear a face mask outdoors. Those who are not yet fully vaccinated should continue to wear a face mask outdoors when social distancing is not possible. In indoor spaces (bathhouses, visitor centers, etc.) we will continue to require all guests to wear face masks, regardless of vaccine status.

Visitors who do not abide by these rules may be asked to leave state park property.

There are no longer reduced capacity limits at State Parks, however, parks will still close to new visitors when they’ve reached parking capacity. For real-time Parks closure information, visit @CTStateParks on Twitter, or the “What’s Open Outdoors” page on the DEEP website.

For more information on safe outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/COVID-19-Updates-CT-State-Parks-and-Forests.

Camping

State Park and State Forest campgrounds (including youth groups, rustic cabins, river camping, and backpack camping sites) areopen on a reservation basis for the 2021 season. Walk-in campers will not be permitted for the 2021 season. Reservations must include the names of all campers. Visitors to campgrounds will not be permitted, only registered campers will be permitted in the campground.

Please find more information on camping here.

Golf Courses and Driving Ranges

Golf courses and driving ranges have been allowed to remain open so long as courses and golfers adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Courses will not open their clubhouses, golfers are asked to walk or drive alone in a cart, and golfers must remain at least six feet from other people.

Golfers should not have a caddy or attendant handling their clubs, commonly handled items like bunker rakes and ball washers have been removed, and payment should be made online whenever possible.

Please see the Connecticut State Golf Association guidelines for further details:  https://www.csgalinks.org/content/csga/ct-courses-and-covid-19.

Picnicking

Picnic shelters are now open for appropriately-sized groups and for rental. You can reserve many of CT's picnic shelters through Reserve America.

Picnic tables have been placed in their regular spots for public use this season.