Cockaponset State Forest
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $10 ($15 nonresident)Annual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- ctparks.com(860) 345-8521
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region County, about 9 miles southeast of Middletown, Cockaponset State Forest covers about 534 acres.
Things to do include horseback riding, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and biking. Its trail network totals roughly 100 miles, according to the park. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Open Daily (8:00 a.m. – Sunset)
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fees apply at Chatfield Hollow State Park and Pattaconk Recreation Area (resident) | Free |
| $10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays) (nonresident) | $10 |
| $15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays) (nonresident) | $15 |
| $112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass) (nonresident) | $112 · year |
Official wording
Fees apply at Chatfield Hollow State Park and Pattaconk Recreation Area: FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles $10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays) $15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays) $112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass)
Connecticut park passes
- Passport to the Parks — free parking for CT-registered vehicles (funded by an $8/yr vehicle registration fee from July 1, 2025). Day-use parking at all CT State Parks and Forests Details
- Out-of-state vehicle season pass — $112. Season parking for out-of-state vehicles (as listed on park fee boxes) Details
From the Connecticut state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Youth Group Camping
- Currently closed until further notice as of March 2025
- 4 sites available, each site accommodates up to 20 campers
- Open to qualified youth groups only
- Advance reservations are required
- Youth Group Camping
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingSwimming
Trails
Know Before You Go
- Letterboxing Clues
Swimming
Know Before You Go
- Current Water Quality Report (updated weekly, Memorial Day – Labor Day)
- Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information
Amenities
Camping
- Tent camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Limited
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
- Buses seating 30 or more passengers are allowed at Pattaconk Recreation Area. Bus Permits are required.
Multi-Use Trail Maps
- Northern Section, Haddam
- Central Section, Haddam and Chester
- Southern Section, Haddam and Chester
- Spruce Ledge - Tower Hill Section
- Weber Woods Parcel
State Forest Management Plans
Getting there
- Address
- Filley Road, Haddam/Chester, CT
Haddam/Chester, CT - Nearest town
- Middletown — about 9 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.4598, -72.5208
- Phone
- (860) 345-8521
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Connecticut State Parks and Forests — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- DEEP 'Find a Park or Forest by Name' list (portal.ct.gov) merged with the ctparks.com ParkFinder search service
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology