Steve Winter

Summer is here, and we hope you get a chance to enjoy the many parks, beaches, and attractions our beautiful state has to offer.

Connecticut has hundreds of outdoor recreational locations to gather with family and friends this summer including:

🏞️ 110 state parks

🌲 32 state forests

🏕️ 29 state campgrounds

🛥️ 117 state boat launches

🏖️ 4 coastal state beaches

More than 15 million people visit Connecticut’s state parks and forests each year, and there is a state park within a 15-minute drive of virtually any place in Connecticut. Check out CTParks.com to plan a visit and explore.

Most state parks are accessible for free, but there is also no cost at parks that do have a fee, including the popular Hammonasset Beach State Park, if you have a car with a Connecticut license plate thanks to the state's Passport to the Parks program.

For anyone planning a visit to a state park or boat launch – especially on weekends or holidays – it is suggested to check DEEP’s social media accounts for up-to-the-minute updates on parking lot capacity before heading out. This information can be found on the social media app X at @CTStateParks and @CTBoatingInfo. Reservations at state campgrounds can be made online at connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-877-668-CAMP (2267).

"Agritourism" is another fun activity for the whole family, where you can pick locally-grown apples, berries, and sunflowers at family-owned farms, and taste locally-produced beverages at one of the state’s award-winning farm-cideries and wineries.

There are also some new visitor-oriented "trails" to check out and experience. Try the Connecticut Oyster Trail and the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail. And, a Connecticut Pizza Trail will soon be launched to celebrate our designation as the Pizza Capital.

You can also sign up for a mobile "CT Season Pass" which provides discounts and extras at many attractions. The official Connecticut Tourism website is CTVisit.com.

Tourism is an $18.5 billion industry in Connecticut and supports more than 125,000 jobs. Read more about Connecticut's tourism industry in this article from CT News Junkie.