State Park & Forests Permits & Passes Norwich Bulletin

This Memorial Day weekend marks the summer season at Connecticut State Parks and Forests. The state Department of Environmental Protection provided several updates on its parks:

1. Season passes allow unlimited admission to state parks and recreation areas with no additional parking fee. They cost $40 for Connecticut residents and $60 for out-of-state residents.
2. The passes, which are valid for one vehicle per pass and for the entire calendar year of issue, must be permanently affixed to the vehicle windshield and is non-transferable to any other vehicle.
3. Season passes are not valid for admission to Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Park Exhibit centers or tours of Gillette Castle, camping or special events with charges.
4. Other restrictions apply.
5. Season passes can be purchased several ways:
6. Go online to the DEP store at www.whereeverythingis.com/depstore/showcategory10.html.
7. In person at park ticket booths.
8. By mailing a check made out to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut" to DEP -- Licensing and Revenue, 79 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06106-5127. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
9. The Charter Oak Pass (life use) provides access to the state parks and forests and is available free to Connecticut residents age 65 and older. It is accepted at all day use areas in state park and recreation areas, including Gillette Castle, Dinosaur State Park, Quinebaug Valley Hatchery fishing pond and boat launching areas. It is not valid for camping. Proof of age and residency is required.
10. The Heritage Passport allows the bearer to gain admittance to Dinosaur State Park, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle for a one-time visitation until Columbus Day of the calendar year in which it was purchased. Cost is $5 for children ages 6-17, $12 for adults age 18 and older, and free for children age 6 and under. The Heritage Passport can be purchased at any one of the three facilities.
11. Campsite system: A $3 processing walk-up fee will be charged at seven state campground sites, including Hopeville Pond in Griswold and Salt Rock Campground in Baltic. Of the $3, $2 will go to Reserve America and $1 will go to the DEP. This is a one-time only fee for each park stay.
12. This processing fee does not apply to campers who reserve their campsites by either dialing Reserve America's toll-free number at 1-877-668-CAMP or by visiting the Reserve America Web site at www.reserveamerica.com.
13. Toll-free telephone number (1-866-CTPARKS) provides information on camping, swimming, hiking maps and season passes. Weekly water quality reports can be obtained by calling the above toll-free number or by accessing the reports at www.dep.state.ct.us/updates/beach/wtrqual.asp.
14. For more information on the Connecticut State Parks and Forests System, visit the Web site at www.dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/index.htm.