Popular CT State Parks Closed To New Visitors Saturday

CONNECTICUT — The beautiful spring weather Saturday has led to droves of people going to state parks. Some of the state's most popular parks have been closed to new visitors due to new regulations meant to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Gov. Ned Lamont's executive order allows park officials to not allow new visitors once the parking lot reaches capacity. Groups of more than five are prohibited.

The state Department of Energy anD Environmental Protection asks visitors to practice social distancing and to bring a mask in case social distancing can't be maintained in areas like parking lots. Picnicking isn't allowed at state parks at this time.

"When a park has closed to capacity, do not park elsewhere and walk in. Find another park or land trust to visit. Have a back-up plan if your chosen park is not open," DEEP officials tweeted.

Connecticut has 139 state parks and forests along with several land trust conservation areas.

Parkas that has reached capacity as of 1:20 p.m. include:

• Sleeping Giant in Hamden
• C.P. Huntington in Newtown
• Southford Falls in Southbury
• Wadsworth Falls in Middletown
• Devil's Hopyard in East Haddam
• Bluff Point in Groton

Check back for updates throughout the day.