Gay City State Park
- 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) 295-9523
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Gay City State Park is a park in Capitol Planning Region County, about 13 miles east of Hartford.
Things to do include historic sites, swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are campsites (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: Late April – Columbus Day (8:00 a.m. – Sunset)
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles (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
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
- One site available, accommodates up to 50 campers
- Open to qualified youth groups only
- Advance reservations are required
- Youth Group Camping
From the official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingFishingHikingHistoric sites and toursPicnickingSwimming
Trails
Trails
- Park Trails Map | Mobile
- Connecticut Forest and Park Association Trail Descriptions
Swimming
Know Before You Go
- Current Water Quality Report (updated weekly, Memorial Day – Labor Day)
- Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ 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
Parking
Picnic Tables
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
- Bus Permits are required for mid-size and full-size busses seating 30 or more passengers
- Trail Map
- Trail Map - Mobile
Getting there
- Address
- 435 North St.
Hebron, CT 06248 - Nearest town
- Hartford — about 13 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.7240, -72.4450
- Phone
- (860) 295-9523
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Connecticut State Parks and Forests — park page — last checked Oct 30, 2026
- DEEP 'Find a Park or Forest by Name' list (portal.ct.gov) merged with the ctparks.com ParkFinder search service
- Wikidata
“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