Connecticut Set to Increase Passport to the Park Fee This July

It looks like Connecticut will be increasing one of the annual fees we pay starting this July.

Back in 2018, Connecticut created the "Passport to the Park Program" which helps residents access State Parks by allowing Connecticut residents driving Connecticut-registered vehicles to enter parks without paying a daily entrance fee. We are the only state in the Northeast to have something like this.

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We know nothing is free in Connecticut, so where does that fee actually go? We see it in our car registrations. When it was introduced, there was a $5 annual fee that got attached to car registrations to get you into these parks without having to pay anything right then and there. Come July 1, 2025, the fee will be increased from $5 to $8 or to $24 during the customary 3-year vehicle registration renewal.

According to ct.gov, L.t Governor Susan Bysiewicz had this to say about Connecticut's Passport Program, "The Passport to the Parks program is truly a win-win for Connecticut residents and our Parks. Passport has made our State Parks, forests, trails, historic sites, and beaches more accessible and available to our residents by eliminating parking fees for those with Connecticut registered vehicles." She went on to talk about how it's a much easier decision to just go to the parks without thinking about having to pay when you get there. The money also supports the operation of the State Parks, helping ensure that the Parks are well-maintained, staffed, and inviting for the 17 million visitors each year.

When you see things like this posted on social media, people freak out about having to pay for the additional cost. I know things can be frustrating to pay for around here, but personally, I like being able to show up to a state park without having to think about paying. This gives us access to beaches, parks, so many things. It can be frustrating, I totally understand. But hopefully, this will keep our parks safe and well-maintained throughout the seasons.