The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), building off of a successful pilot program launched last fall, is expanding its remote non-resident parking fee system to more state parks beginning and will resume in-person non-resident parking fee collection at several state parks beginning Memorial Day Weekend.
The remote non-resident parking fee system, piloted at a small number of state parks last fall, requires visitors with out-of-state registered vehicles to purchase a parking pass remotely through Reserve America using a smart-phone and a credit card. This system will be implemented at shoreline state parks (Harkness Memorial, Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, Silver Sands and Sherwood Island State Parks) and several inland state parks.
Signage is being added at those parks so that visitors are aware of the obligation, and to provide directions on how to purchase a parking pass. DEEP will continue to educate out-of-state visitors about the operation of this system, and failure to pay the required fee can result in the issuance of a $75 infraction fine. Visitors with out-of-state vehicles that are frequent visitors might also consider purchasing a parking season pass, which permits unlimited parking at any state park for the entire season. The cost of the season pass is $112.00.
Anyone in a Connecticut-registered vehicle can still park free of charge at all CT State Parks and Forests year-round through the Passport to the Parks program.
In 2020, due to COVID-19 prevention measures and staffing limitations, DEEP largely did not collect non-resident parking fees, except at three of the four shoreline state beaches, and at the few parks where we piloted our remote non-resident parking fee system.
For more information on this initiative including parking rates, rules and regulations, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP.
