CT Expands Fee-Collection For Non-Residents At Some State Parks

CONNECTICUT — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is expanding its remote non-resident parking fee system to more state parks beginning Thursday. In-person non-resident parking fee collection at several state parks will also commence 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, as well as several of inland state parks.

DEEP will be adding signage at those parks meant to educate visitors on their obligation, as well as provide directions on how to purchase a parking pass. Failure to pay the required fee can result in the issuance of a $75 infraction fine. Parking passes for the whole season, providing unlimited parking at any state park, will be available for $112.

Anyone in a Connecticut-registered vehicle can still park free of charge at all Connecticut 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 the remote non-resident parking fee system was piloted.

Details of DEEP's out-of-state parking fee collection for 2021 can be found on the agency's website.