Boat Ramps In Connecticut: Are They Accessible?

Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) operates and maintains 117 boat launches across the state, on ponds, lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound. The majority of these launches are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless otherwise noted. Some boat launches are currently closed due to construction or severe weather conditions.

Connecticut boat ramps: access and parking

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) operates 117 boat launches across the state, on ponds, lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound. Unless otherwise noted, all launches are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Boat launches are available at many fishing locations in Connecticut, including Long Island Sound and freshwater lakes and ponds. Most sites are open for public use even if the dock is not installed. Some boat launches are located within state parks, which manage boat ramps with well-defined seasons and accessibility.

Boat ramps are typically plowed following a snow event, and floating docks are removed no earlier than November 15 and installed at sites no later than April 15. Schedules are subject to change based on water levels, weather, and ice conditions.

• Barn Island Boat Launch: Located at Barn Island Wildlife Area. Accessible from Route 1, turn southeast onto Greenhaven Road, then south on Palmer Neck Road. Trailered. Open year-round. Dock is floating wood. Chemical toilets in season. Parking lot is paved with 6 spaces. Concrete slab ramp. Disability access.
• Bayberry Lane Boat Launch: Accessible from I-95, Exit 87. Route 349 becomes Shennecossett Road, then left onto Bayberry Lane. Trailered. Open year-round. Dock is fixed wood. Chemical toilets in season. Parking lot is paved and grassy with 30 spaces. No disability access.
• Beseck Lake Boat Launch: West side of Route 147, approximately 1.75 miles south of the junction of Route 66 and Route 147. Trailered. Open year-round. Paved parking access and ramp. Parking for 20 vehicles. No docks, seasonal toilets. No disability access. Crowded on weekends.
• Bigelow Hollow State Park: Boat ramps on Mashapaug Lake and Bigelow, Breakneck, and Griggs ponds. Accessible from Route 171, 1.3 miles east of Route 190. Follow the park's access road along Bigelow Brook. Trailered. Open year-round. 15 parking spaces. Paved road access, concrete slab ramp. Disability access.
• Black Rock State Park: All water sports are allowed, including trout fishing. Lake has a boat ramp.
• Bluff Point Boat Launch: Accessible from Route 1, south on Depot

Seasonal and year-round boat ramps

Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) operates and maintains 117 boat launches across the state, and most of these are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Boat launches with seasonal restrictions include:

• Indian Well State Park: A boat ramp is available from April through September.
• Lake McDonough Recreation Area: Boating is permitted from late April to Labor Day.
• Green Falls Reservoir Boat Launch: Open from the Friday before the third Saturday in April through December 30.

Some boat launches are also subject to closure during severe cold weather.

Boat launches that are open year-round include:

• Mashapaug Lake Boat Launch
• Coventry Lake Boat Launch
• Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch
• Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch
• East River Boat Launch
• Quonnipaug Lake Boat Launch
• Bashan Lake Boat Launch
• Salmon River Boat Launch
• Four Mile River Boat Launch
• Saugatuck River Boat Launch
• Branford River Boat Launch
• Lake Zoar Boat Launch
• Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch
• Mystic River Boat Launch
• Pachaug Pond Boat Launch
• Bluff Point Boat Launch
• Great Island Boat Launch
• Stoddard Hill Boat Launch
• Pine Acres Lake Boat Launch
• Wyassup Lake Boat Launch
• Niantic River Boat Launch
• Barn Island Boat Launch
• Bayberry Lane Boat Launch
• Pachaug Pond Boat Launch
• Bluff Point Boat Launch
• Lieutenant River Boat Launch
• Rogers Lake Boat Launch
• Lake of Isles Boat Launch
• Dock Road Boat Launch
• Long Pond Boat Launch

Boat ramp locations and directions

Bigelow Hollow State Park

Boat ramps are provided on Mashapaug Lake and Bigelow, Breakneck, and Griggs ponds, all within this 9,000-acre forested state park and forest.

• 298 Bigelow Hollow Road, Union, CT, 06076
• Phone: 860-424-3200
• Located off Route 171, 1.3 miles east of Route 190
• Follow the park's access road along Bigelow Brook to the south end of the pond
• 15 parking spaces
• Paved road access, concrete slab ramp
• Disability access
• Open year-round

Coventry Lake Boat Launch

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

Indian Well State Park

• 1 Indian Well Road, Shelton, CT, 06484
• Phone: 203-735-4311
• A boat ramp is available from April through September at this pretty park in the woods along the Housatonic River

Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch

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

Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch

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

Candlewood Lake Boat Launch

• Squantz Pond State Park, New Fairfield, CT, 06812
• Located west off Route 39
• Trailered
• Open year-round
• No docks
• Pit toilets
• Access road and parking lot are paved
• 25 parking spaces
• Concrete slab ramp
• No disability access

East River Boat Launch

• Located on the east bank of the East River. Route 1, south on Neck Road approximately 2 miles. The 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

Quonnipaug Lake Boat Launch

• At the north end of the 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

Bashan Lake Boat Launch

• End of Ballahack Road #1, East Haddam, CT, 06423
• Phone:
• East off Route 82, onto Mount Parnassus Road or Millington Road, left onto Ballahack Road, go about 0.9 miles on the dirt road to access the area
• Trailered
• Open year-round
• No docks
• Dirt access road, gravel ramp
• 10 parking spaces
• No disability access

Salmon River Boat Launch (Connecticut River)

• 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

Four Mile River Boat Launch

• 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

Mansfield Hollow Park

• 31 Old Willimantic Road, Mansfield, CT, 06235
• Phone:
• A boat ramp at the lake/reservoir makes it easy to reach for boating and fishing. Swimming is not allowed in this reservoir/lake

Lake Housatonic Boat Launch

• Indian Well State Park on the western side of the lake, 2.5 miles northwest of Shelton, off Route 110
• Trailered

Boat ramp conditions and accessibility

Boat ramps in Connecticut provide access to lakes and Long Island Sound. These ramps are typically well-maintained and can be found in state parks and other locations. Most boat launches are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unless otherwise noted.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) owns and operates 117 boat launches across the state on ponds, lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound. The DEEP aims to have floating docks removed no earlier than November 15 and installed by April 15 each year, although schedules may change due to water levels, weather, and ice conditions. Most sites remain open for public use even if the dock is not installed.

Boat ramp users should be aware of the following:

• When a boat launch parking lot is full, the launch is closed, and no additional vessels may be launched or retrieved.
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited at boat launches.
• Seasonal toilet facilities are available at many popular sites, but trash receptacles are not provided, so visitors are requested to carry out their trash.
• Some freshwater bodies may be prone to blue-green algal blooms, which can produce toxins harmful to swimmers, dogs, and people involved in water activities.
• Mashapaug Lake Boat Launch: Located in Bigelow Hollow State Park, off Route 171, with 15 parking spaces, paved road access, a concrete slab ramp, and disability access.
• Coventry Lake Boat Launch: Found on Route 31, with 26 parking spaces, a seasonal floating wood dock, seasonal chemical toilets, paved road access, and a concrete slab ramp. This launch offers disability access.
• Indian Well State Park: A boat ramp is available from April to September at this park along the Housatonic River.
• Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch: Located on Route 44, with 12 parking spaces, a paved ramp and access road, and a shallow pond.
• Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch: Accessible from Route 133, with a dirt parking lot for 60 vehicles, a paved access road, and a paved ramp. This launch does not offer disability access.
• Candlewood Lake Boat Launch: Found in Squantz Pond State Park, with 25 parking spaces, a paved access road and parking lot, a concrete slab ramp, no docks, and no disability access.
• East River Boat Launch: Situated on the east bank of the East River, with eight parking spaces, a gravel access road and parking lot, a concrete plank ramp, no dock, and chemical toilets available in season. This launch does not offer disability access.
• Quonnipaug Lake Boat Launch: At the north end of the lake, just east off Route 77, with eight parking spaces, a paved road access and ramp, seasonal chemical toilets, and no disability access.
• Bashan Lake Boat Launch: Reached by taking Route 82 to Mount Parnassus or Millington Road, then turning left onto Ballahack Road, with 10 parking spaces,

Connecticut boat ramp maintenance and safety

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is responsible for the maintenance and safety of boat ramps and launches in the state. The department owns and operates 117 boat launches across Connecticut, providing access to ponds, lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound.

To ensure safety and maintain the quality of these boat launches, the DEEP implements several measures:

• Regular Maintenance: The department conducts regular maintenance on the boat launches, addressing issues such as vandalism, littering, and other illegal activities. Members of the public are encouraged to report any maintenance issues or concerns to the Environmental Conservation Police or through the "Report a Boat Launch Maintenance Issue, Concern or Suggestion" form.
• Severe Weather Protocols: During severe cold weather, the department activates protocols to ensure the safety of boaters. This includes providing information on shelters and warming centers through their website and social media platforms.
• Water Quality Monitoring: The DEEP monitors water quality at the boat launches and advises visitors about potential risks, such as blue-green algal blooms, which can produce toxins harmful to swimmers, pets, and individuals involved in water-contact activities.
• Alcohol Consumption Prohibition: Alcohol consumption is prohibited at the boat launches to ensure the safety of all visitors and boaters.
• Cleanliness and Waste Management: The DEEP encourages visitors to maintain the cleanliness of the boat launches by carrying out their trash and reporting any acts of littering or dumping. While some popular sites offer seasonal toilet facilities, they do not provide trash receptacles, so visitors are requested to "carry out what they carry in."
• Safety Regulations: Boat launches have signboards displaying important local rules and regulations that boaters must follow. These regulations help ensure the safety of all visitors and protect the natural environment.
• Accessibility Considerations: Many of the boat launches in Connecticut offer accessibility features, such as disability access, paved roads, and concrete slab ramps. However, not all launches have the same level of accessibility, and some may have limited parking spaces or seasonal docks.
• Seasonal Variations: Boat launches in Connecticut may have different operating seasons. While some are open year-round, others have specific seasons during which facilities and docks are available. Visitors are advised to check the operating seasons before planning their visits.
• Social Media Presence: The DEEP utilizes social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to provide the latest news and updates on boat launches, helping boaters stay informed about any changes or developments.

By implementing these maintenance and safety measures, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection strives to ensure that the boat ramps and launches across the state remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all visitors.

Frequently asked questions