The park's scenic waterfalls and splash pool give this park its name, Indian Well. The lovely falls, and shaded picnic grove at the water's edge make this park a great place to spend a lazy summer day. Activities include boating, picnicking, field sports, hiking, river fishing, and swimming. Facilities: bathrooms, picnic shelter, and boat launch (trailered, open April through September, 203-735-4311). Park fees: Weekends, $14 for residents and $20 for non-residents; weekdays, $10 and $14. All days, $8 after 4 p.m.

Saugatuck River Boat Launch
Westport, CT

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Location: Under I-95 on the east side of river. Route 136 to Compo Road, take first right to launch. Trailered. Open year round. No docks. Chemical toilets in season. Access road and parking lot are paved. Concrete slab ramp. No disability access.

HARTFORD/CENTRAL top of listings

Bashan Lake Boat Launch
East Haddam, CT

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

LITCHFIELD/NORTHWEST top of listings

Black Rock State Park
Watertown Road (Route 6)
Thomaston, CT
Phone: 860-283-8088

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Black Rock offers excellent swimming, hiking, scenic views, and Indian legend all tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the western highlands of Connecticut. Black Rock Campground has 96 sites in a wooded setting. The camping season is mid-April through September 30. This is a designated trout park. Activities include picnicking, field sports, swimming, and pond fishing. Facilities: bathrooms, food concessions, picnic tables.
There is a daily parking fee in season. Gates are open on weekends only from the third Saturday in April until Memorial Day, 8 a.m. to sunset. From Memorial Day to October 31st, they are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Campsite fees are charged separately.

Candlewood Lake (Lattins Cove) Boat Launch
Danbury, CT

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Location: Lattins Cove. I-84 to Route 7 north; take Federal Road exit; north on Candlewood Lake Road, left onto Nabby Road. After 0.75 miles, take left onto Forty Acres Road, launch is on the right. Trailered. Open year round. 100 parking spaces. Paved access, concrete slab ramp. Chemical toilet in season. No disability access.

Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch
Newtown, CT

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Location: Route 133, go south on Obtuse Rock Road just before the bridge in Brookfield. Road changes to Dinglebrook Lane in Newtown. Launch is next left after passing Hanover Road. Trailered. Open year round. Dirt parking lot, paved access road. Parking lot 60 vehicles. Ramp paved. Chemical toilets. No Disability access.

Lake Zoar Boat Launch
Southbury, CT

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Location: I-84, Exit 14, go south on Lakeside Road, turn right on Lee Farm Drive to Scout Road. Launch is at the end of Scout Road. Trailered. Open year round. Seasonal floating wood dock and toilets. Access road paved, concrete slab ramp. Parking for 60 vehicles. Disability access.

Mamanasco Lake Boat Launch
Ridgefield, CT

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At south end of lake. Route 116, turn south onto Mamanasco Road, launch is on the left. Trailered. Open Year round. No docks or toilets. Paved access road and ramp. Parking spaces for 10 vehicles. No disability access.

Mount Tom State Park
Route 202
Litchfield, CT
Phone: 860-567-8870

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Mount Tom rises to a height of 1,325. At the top of the mountain, hikers can reach the notable stone tower. While hiking the mountain is a popular activity at the park, visitors can also enjoy swimming, stocked fishing ponds, sail and row-boating, scuba diving and ice skating. Activities include paddling, picnicking, fishing, scuba diving, hiking, Swimming, canoe and kayak rentals. Facilities: bathrooms, concession, change houses. There are separate weekend, holiday. and weekday parking fees at Mount Tom State Park.

Squantz Pond Boat Launch
New Fairfield

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Location: Located west off Route 39 in Squantz Pond State Park. Trailered. Open Year round. No docks. Pit toilets. Access road and parking lot are paved. 25 parking spaces. Concrete slab ramp. No disability access.

Waramaug Lake Boat Launch
Kent, CT

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Location: In Waramaug State Park. Route 45, west on Lake Road to North Shore Road. Approximately 150 foot carry to water. Car Top/Carry-In. Open year round. 15 parking spaces. Paved road access, dirt ramp. No disability access.

Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch
Norfolk, CT

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Location: Route 44, north on Route 272, right onto Ashpohtag Road, take first left to the launch. Trailered. Open year round. 12 parking spaces. Paved ramp and access road. Shallow pond.

MYSTIC/EASTERN top of listings

Baldwin Bridge Boat Launch (Connecticut River)
Old Saybrook, CT

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Location: Route 9 south, take exit 2 and turn left. Take the first right onto Ferry Road. Route 2 north, take exit 1 and turn right onto Ferry Road. Launch is at the end of Ferry Road under the bridge. Trailered and Car Top/Carry-In. Open year round. Docks are floating and fixed wood. Open year round. Chemical toilets in season. Access road and parking lot are paved. 70 spaces. Concrete slab ramp. Disabled access. Fishing pier located on site.

Barn Island Boat Launch
Stonington, CT

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Location: Located at Barn Island Wildlife Area. Turn southeast off Route 1 at Greenhaven Road then south on Palmer Neck Road approximately 1.5 miles to end. Trailered. Open year round. Dock is floating wood, seasonal. Chemical toilets in season. Access road and parking surface are paved. 6 spaces. Concrete slab ramp. Disability access.

Bayberry Lane Boat Launch
Groton, CT

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Location: I-95, Exit 87, Route 349 (Clarence B. Sharp Highway) which becomes Shennecossett Road. Follow this road south, then left onto Bayberry Lane. Trailered. Open year round. Dock is fixed wood. Chemical toilets in season. Access road is paved. Parking lot is paved and grass. 30 spaces. No disability access. Crowded.

Bigelow Hollow State Park
Route 171
Union, CT
Phone: 860-684-3430

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Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails and an 18-acre pond in Eastern Connecticut. Activities include boating, picnicking, cross country skiing, pond fishing, hiking, scuba diving, hunting (forest only), and snowmobiling. There are boat launches at Bigelow Pond and Mashapaug Lake. There is a parking fee of $9 to $15 weekends and holidays in season.

Bluff Point Boat Launch
Groton, CT

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Location: Route 1, south on Depot Road, go under train trestle at the end. Launch is at the end of the road to the west of the park entrance. Car Top/Carry-In. Open year round. No docks. Compost toilets. Access road is gravel. Parking lots are dirt. 40 spaces. Ramp is dirt. No disability access.

Dock Road Boat Launch
Waterford, CT

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Location: Located on Jordan Cove at Pleasure Beach. Route 213, south on Goshen Road, launch is straight ahead. Trailered. Open year round. No dock. Chemical toilets year round. Paved access road. Gravel parking lot. 45 spaces. Concrete slab ramp. Disability access. Very crowded on weekends.

Four Mile River Boat Launch
Old Lyme, CT

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Location: Located on the west side of Four Mile River. Route 156, east on Oakridge Drive, first right to launch area. Trailered. Open year round. Chemical toilets in season. Access road and parking lot are paved. Ramp is paved. No disability access. Shallow launch conditions at low tide; clearance problem at high tide.

Great Island Boat Launch
Old Lyme, CT

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Location: Route 156, south to end of Smith Neck Road and Great Island Wildlife Area. Trailered. Open year round. No docks. Chemical toilets in season. Access road is paved. Parking lot is gravel. 35 spaces. Paved ramp. No disability access. Shallow at low tide.

Green Falls Reservoir Boat Launch
Voluntown, CT

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Location: Route 138, take access road south to Green Falls State Park. Follow signs to launch. Car Top/Carry-In. Open from the Friday before the third Saturday in April through December 30. No docks or toilets. Parking for 6 vehicles. Gravel road access, gravel ramp. No disability access.

Lake of Isles Boat Launch
North Stonington, CT

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Location: East off Route 2, north on Watson Road onto Lake of Isles Road. Trailered. Open year round. Parking for 10 vehicles. Gravel road access, concrete slab ramp. Fixed wood dock. Seasonal chemical toilet. Disability access.

Lieutenant River Boat Launch
Old Lyme, CT

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Location: Located on the west side of Route 156, south of Ferry Road. Car Top/Carry-In. Open year round. No docks. Chemical toilets in season. Access road is paved. Parking lot is dirt. 3 spaces. Ramp surface is dirt. No disability access.

Long Pond Boat Launch
North Stonington, CT

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Location: Route 214, south on Lantern Hill Road. Access is on the right. Trailered. Open year round. Seasonal chemical toilets. Parking for 35 vehicles. Paved road access, concrete plank ramp. No disability access.

Mashapaug Lake Boat Launch
Union, CT

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Location: In Bigelow Hollow State Park, off Route 171, 1.3 miles east of Route 190. Trailered. Open year round. 15 parking spaces. Paved road access, concrete slab ramp. Disability access.

Mystic River Boat Launch
Groton, CT

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Location: I-95, exit 89. Go south on Allen Street, then take your first left onto Sandy Hollow Road. At the end, turn left onto High Street. Take next right onto Bindloss Road and at the end turn left onto River Road. Launch is on the right on the west bank of the Mystic River, just north of I-95. Car Top/Carry-In. Open year round. No docks. No toilets. Access road and parking lot are dirt. 8 spaces. Ramp is dirt. No disability access.

Natchaug State Forest
Pilfershire Road
Eastford, CT
Phone: 860-928-6121

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Natchaug State Forest on Natchaug River is popular for its horse trails, outstanding fishing, and riverfront picnic sites. Of historic interest is a large stone fireplace and chimney that are the remains of the birthplace of General Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in the Civil War. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, hunting, backpack camping, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The Natchaug River is a designated trout park fishing area. Facilities include picnic tables and pit toilets.

Niantic River Boat Launch
Waterford, CT

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Location: Located approximately 0.25 mile northeast of Route 156 bridge across Niantic River in Waterford. Trailered. Open year round. Dock is floating wood. Chemical toilets year round. Access road and parking lot are paved. 100 spaces. Concrete slab ramp. Disability access.

Pachaug Pond Boat Launch
Griswold, CT

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Location: At north end of pond, south off Route 138.Year round. No docks. Seasonal chemical toilets. Parking for 40 vehicles. Paved/Gravel road access, concrete slab ramp. No disability access.

Pachaug State Forest (Chapman and Green Falls areas)
Route 49
Voluntown, CT
Phone: 860-376-4075

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Pachaug State Forest is the largest state forest in Connecticut encompassing 24,000 acres in five towns. There are two areas, the Chapman Area and the Green Falls Area.
Activities in the Chapman area include boating, hunting, backpack camping, motorcycling, camping, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, picnicking, freshwater fishing, scenic vistas, hiking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, youth group camping, horse camping, and letterboxing. Mount Misery Campground offers 22 campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Water, fireplaces and pit toilets are provided. Frog Hollow Horse Camp Area offers 18 campsites on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Green Falls area offers boating, camping, freshwater fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking. The Green Falls Campground has 18 wooded campsites that are available from the third Friday of April until September 30. The campsites are first-come, first serve with no reservations accepted. Green Falls, Narragansett, Nehantic, and Pachaug trail sections pass through this area.

Pine Acres Lake Boat Launch
Hampton, CT

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Location: Route 6, north on Potter Road, into Goodwin State Forest. Launch is on the right. Trailered. Open year round. Recycled pavement road access, paved ramp. Parking for 15 vehicles. No disability access.

Quaddick Reservoir Boat Launch
Thompson, CT

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Location: In Quaddick State Park, 4 miles north of East Putnam and Route 44. Paved access road and ramp. 6 parking spaces. Seasonal pit toilet, No disability access.

Rocky Neck State Park
244 West Main Street (Route 156)
East Lyme, CT
Phone: 860-739-5471

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The large stone pavilion, diverse trail systems, and gently sloping beach make this park ideal for families. Try crabbing or fishing. Look for hawks, cranes, and herons. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, saltwater fishing, interpretive programs, saltwater swimming. Facilities include bathrooms, food concession, pavilion, and picnic tables. Rocky Neck Campground offers 160 sites in both open and wooded settings. The camping season begins in May and ends September 30.
From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day there are separate weekend/holiday and weekday parking fees. On weekends from April 17 through May 23 and again from September 11 through September 26, the weekday rate for parking will be in effect. There is also a camping fee at Rocky Neck State Park.

Rogers Lake Boat Launch
Old Lyme, CT

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Location: Turn north off Route 1 onto Grassy Hill Road and travel approximately 1 mile. Launch is on the left. Trailered. Open year round. No docks. Seasonal chemical toilets. Paved access road, concrete plank ramp. No disability access.

Stoddard Hill Boat Launch
Ledyard, CT

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Location: In Stoddard Hill State Park. West side of Route 12 in Ledyard. East side of Thames River. Car Top/Carry-In. Open year round. No docks or toilets. Paved access road, recycled pavement ramp. No disability access.

Wyassup Lake Boat Launch
North Stonington, CT

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Location: Route 2, north on Wyassup Lake Road. Launch is on the right. Trailered. Open year round. Seasonal chemical toilets. Parking for 8 vehicles. Paved road access, concrete plank ramp. No disability access.

NEW HAVEN/SOUTH CENTRAL top of listings

Beseck Lake Boat Launch
Middlefield, CT

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Location: West side of Route 147 approximately 1.75 miles south of junction of Route 66 and Route 147.Trailered. Open year round. Paved parking access and ramp. Parking for 20. No docks, seasonal toilets. No disability access. Crowded on weekends. Shallow waters in northern end of lake.

Branford River Boat Launch
Branford, CT

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Location: Turn south off Route 1 onto Route 142 (Short Beach Road), then left on Stannard Avenue to Goodsell Point Road. Trailered. Open year round. Dock is fixed wood. Chemical toilets in season. Access road and parking lot are gravel. 50 parking spaces. No disability access.

East River Boat Launch
Guilford, CT

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Location: Located on the east bank of the East River. Route 1, south on Neck Road approximately 2 miles. Launch entrance is on the right. Trailered. Open year round. No dock. Chemical toilets in season. Access road and parking lot are gravel. Concrete plank ramp. No disability access.

Hammonassett Beach Boat Launch
Madison, CT

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Location: I-95, Exit 62. Go south off exit. At light go straight into Hammonasset Beach State Park then to Meigs Point. Car Top/Carry-In. Open year round. No dock. Chemical and flush toilets in season. Access road and parking lot are paved. 35 spaces. Ramp is sand. No disability access.

Housatonic River Boat Launch
Milford, CT

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Location: I-95, Exit 34. Turn west on Route 1 then north on Naugatuck Avenue. Launch is on the left. Trailered. Open year round. Docks are floating wood. Chemical toilets in season. Access road and parking lot are paved. 80 parking spaces. Concrete plank ramp. Disability access.

Lake Housatonic Boat Launch
Shelton, CT

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Location: Indian Well State Park on the western side of the lake, 2.5 miles northwest of Shelton, off Route 110. Trailered. Open April through September. Seasonal floating wood dock. Seasonal chemical toilets. Parking for 45 vehicles. Concrete plank ramp. No special disability regulations. Information: 203-735-4311.

Quonnipaug Lake Boat Launch
Guilford, CT

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Location: At north end of lake just east off Route 77. Trailered. Open year round. Paved road access and ramp. Seasonal chemical toilets. Parking for 8 vehicles. No disability access.

Wintergreen Lake Boat Launch
Hamden, CT

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Location: Exit 60 off Route 15, south on Route 10, west on Benham Street, left onto Main Street, access on the right. Gravel road access, gravel ramp. Parking for 30 vehicles. No docks or toilets. No disability access.