Plentiful boat ramps give good access to the water in Hartford/Central

Bashan Lake Boat Launch

East Haddam, CT

Location: East off Route 82, onto Mount Parnassus Road or Millington Road, left onto Ballahack Road, go about 0.9 miles on dirt road to access area. Trailered. Open year round. No docks. Dirt access road, gravel ramp. 10 parking spaces. No disability access.

Bissell Bridge Boat Launch (Connecticut River)

Windsor, CT

Location: Just south of the Windsor/South Windsor (Bissell Bridge) in Wilson. Turn east off Route 159 onto East Barber Street. Launch is at the end. Trailered. Open year round. 18 parking spaces. Paved road access, concrete slab ramp. Seasonal chemical toilets. No disability access.

Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area

18 Ranger Road Haddam, CT Phone: 860-566-2304

The second largest forest in the state, set on 15,652 acres. Areas for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, hiking and cross-country ski trails, fresh water swimming and picnic areas. Cockaponset State Forest offers youth group camping. There is a seasonal weekend/holiday parking fee at the Pattaconk Recreation Area of $14 for state residents and $20 for non-residents. No fee on weekdays.

Coventry Lake Boat Launch

Coventry, CT

Location: Route 31, south on Lake Street, launch is 0.75 miles on right. Trailered. Open year round. Seasonal floating wood dock. Season chemical toilets. 26 parking spaces. Paved road access, concrete slab ramp. Disability access.

Crystal Lake Boat Launch

Ellington, CT

Location: Just off Route 30 on west side of lake. Trailered. Open year round. 7 parking spaces. Paved road access, concrete plank ramp. Seasonal chemical toilets. No disability access.

Haddam Meadows Boat Launch (Connecticut River)

Haddam, CT

In Haddam Meadows State Park, east off Route 154. Bear right after entering State Park. Launch at the end of the road. Trailered. Open year round. Seasonal floating wood dock and chemical toilets. Parking for 100 vehicles. Recycled pavement access road, concrete plank ramp. Disability access.

Holbrook Pond Boat Launch

Hebron, CT

Location: Access road east off Route 85, 0.7 miles north of junction with Route 66 in Hebron. Trailered. Open year round. Parking for 50 vehicles. Recycled road access, paved ramp. Shallow launch conditions..No disability access.

Kings Island Boat Launch (Connecticut River)

Enfield, CT

Location: One mile northwest of junction of U.S. 5 and I-91. West on Bridge Lane to Parson Road. Launch is on the right.Trailered. Open year round. 20 parking spaces. Paved access road, concrete plank ramp. Seasonal chemical toilets. No disability access. Crowded during shad season. Launch is jointly owned and operated by DEP and Northeast Utilities.

Rainbow Reservoir Boat Launch

Windsor, CT

Location: Route 75, west on Rainbow Road, left on Merriman Road. Launch is on the left. Trailered. Open year round. 15 parking spaces. Paved access road, concrete slab ramp. No disability access.

Salmon River Boat Launch (Connecticut River)

East Haddam, CT

Location: At the mouth of Salmon River off Route 149, 1.5 miles north of the junction with Route 82. Trailered. Open year round. Seasonal floating wood dock and chemical toilets. Parking for 60 vehicles. Paved access road, concrete slab ramp. Access is flooded during spring months. Disability access.