How To Use ParksConnect To Hammonasset From Across State, Region

MADISON, CT — At Hammonasset Beach State Park last week to promote all things Connecticut State Parks, state officials including the Governor, reminded folks about the ParkConnect program.

Important for Madison, as the free transportation program to seven state parks includes Hammonasset, and perhaps, can lessen the traffic and parking issues. Perhaps.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection partnered with the state Department of Transportation to provide, and expand, to offer public transit options for safe and reliable transportation to parks: Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands, Fort Trumbull, Osbornedale, Indian Well, Sleeping Giant and Sherwood Island State Parks.

A free transit service which runs now through Labor Day, here's what you need to know, and share with folks planning on coming to visit Hammonasset this summer, from points across the state and region.

Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison

Hammonasset Beach State Park Route Map

Estuary Transit District (9-Town Transit)

Bus Connections

• 9-Town Transit 645: Madison/Middletown (fare-free on Saturdays) Bus stop for this route is in the park at the Middle Beach traffic circle adjacent to the Middle Beach Bathhouse.
• Madison Shuttle (fare-free on Weekends and Holidays)Bus stop for these routes is in the park at the Middle Beach traffic circle adjacent to the Middle Beach Bathhouse.
• CTtransit Route 201 from New Haven operates weekdays and Saturdays, connecting to the Madison Shuttle route serving Hammonasset.

CTrail Shore Line East Rail Connections

• Direct Bus service available from the Madison, Clinton and Old Saybrook train stations.

For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please visit the rail operator’s website, the bus operator’s trip planner page Online Trip Planner | Estuarytransit, or use Google Transit – just enter your trip starting point.

About CT State Parks

Connecticut has 110 state parks and 32 state forests, which include 14 campgrounds, 23 designated swimming areas, thousands of miles of trails, and hundreds of thousands of acres to enjoy. The state parks offer opportunities for hiking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking, among many other outdoor activities. A directory of every state park in Connecticut can be found online by visiting www.ct.gov/deep/stateparks.

Connecticut also manages 117 boat launches across the state on ponds, lakes, rivers and Long Island Sound. Information on these facilities can be found online by visiting portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Boating-and-Paddling.