A Free Lifetime State Park Pass for Any Service-Connected Disability
A Connecticut resident veteran with a service-connected disability — any disability, no percentage stated — receives a free pass to state parks and forests, including entry at Gillette Castle, Dinosaur State Park and Fort Trumbull. It is issued at no cost, in person at eight DEEP locations or by post. Camping and separately charged special events are outside it, and accompanying visitors pay the standard fees.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
A Connecticut resident veteran with a service-connected disability — any disability, no percentage stated — receives a free pass to state parks and forests, including entry at Gillette Castle, Dinosaur State Park and Fort Trumbull. It is issued at no cost, in person at eight DEEP locations or by post. Camping and separately charged special events are outside it, and accompanying visitors pay the standard fees.
What it's worth: Free lifetime access to state parks and forests, including the paid-entry attractions
- The gate is a service-connected disability. No percentage is stated, so a low rating reaches it.
- Proof is a VA card or a VA benefits letter, plus proof of Connecticut residency.
- It includes entry at Gillette Castle, Dinosaur State Park and Fort Trumbull, which are the parks that ordinarily charge admission.
- Camping and separately charged special events are excluded.
- It covers the pass holder only. Anyone with you pays the standard fees.
- It is issued at no cost, in person at eight DEEP locations or by post.
Who is entitled to it
- You served in the U.S. armed forces.
- You have a service-connected disability.
- You are a Connecticut resident.
Not sure whether that describes you?
Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.
How to claim it
- 1Apply in person at one of the eight DEEP locations, or by post.
- 2Take a VA card or VA benefits letter, and proof of Connecticut residency.
- 3Do not be deterred by a low rating. No percentage is stated for this pass.
- 4Expect it to cover you and not your companions — they pay standard fees, and camping is charged separately.
- Form
- Disabled Veteran Pass application
- File with
- Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, State Parks Division
- Documents you will need
- va benefit summary letter
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · published policyConnecticut DEEP — special passes for state parks and forests (CGS 23-26(d))
- operating · published policyConnecticut OLR 2016-R-0112 — state veterans' benefits
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