What are the rules around using state parks, campgrounds, golf courses, and other outdoor recreation areas?
State Parks
As of 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2020, in light of significant numbers of visitors entering certain state parks during the coronavirus pandemic, some parks may be closed to additional visitors after they reach capacity. This is intended to ensure that safe social distancing policies exist at these parks.
Outdoor Recreation
State parks and forests remain open at this time for solitary recreation, and recreating with members of your immediate household in groups of no more than five.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has implemented lower capacity limits at parks to keep visitor numbers at a level that can support good social distancing.
For information on park closures, visit @CTStateParks on Twitter. 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.
More guidance from the latest press release regarding parks and outdoor recreation can also be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/News-Releases/News-Releases---2020/DEEP-Issues-Updated-State-Park-Operations-Plan-Heading-into-July-4th
Camping
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced that State Park and State Forest campgrounds will begin a phased opening on July 1st.
At that time, campgrounds will open only for campers who have RVs with functioning bathroom and water systems.
It is anticipated that campgrounds will open for all campers on July 8th. Campers who have reservations to camp for a period that ends on or before June 30th will have their reservations automatically cancelled, and full refunds will be issued.
Camping cabins will not open at this time, and reservations will be cancelled with full refunds processed.
RV campers, who have a reservation which begins prior to July 1, and ends after July 1, will receive an email from Reserve America with instructions on how to retain that portion of their reservation that occurs on and after July 1st, or to cancel their reservation completely.
Tent campers who have a reservation which begins prior to July 8, and ends after July 8, will receive an email from Reserve America with instructions on how to retain that portion of their reservation that occurs on and after July 8st, or to cancel their reservation completely.
On June 20, DEEP will re-open the campsite reservation system that will reflect a park-by-park revised campground capacity level for the remainder of the season.
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.