- Deer Lake Outdoor Center’s day-use areas are open from sunrise to sunset for the private, non-commercial enjoyment of guests. Closures will be announced on our Events Calendar
- Use of Deer Lake Outdoor Center is at your own risk.
- The maximum speed limit on Deer Lake Outdoor Center roads is 5 miles per hour unless posted otherwise.
- A permit is required to operate any motorized vehicle beyond the vehicle gate at front field or beyond the vehicle gate at the causeway.
- Bicycles may be used anywhere motor vehicles are authorized. Please wear a helmet.
- Parking is shared with other users of Deer Lake Outdoor Center at the owner’s sole risk. Please park only in designated guest parking areas. Vehicles parked in a manner that impedes the safe flow of traffic are subject to towing at the owner’s risk and expense.
- The maximum group size without a permit is 12 people regardless of age.
- Children under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult.
- Campsites, lean-tos, pavilions, and cabins are for the use of registered guests only. This includes the fire rings and picnic tables at our campsites and cabins.
- We host a variety of programs, events, and festivals at Deer Lake Outdoor Center and we rent out facilities for private functions. Please respect the participants in those programs and those other users by enjoying other areas of our property.
- Friendly dogs are welcome but must leashed. You must clean up after them and you are responsible for any damage they cause. Dogs are not permitted in any buildings or shelters except cabins or shelters when staying with an overnight guest. Dogs are not permitted in climbing and bouldering areas.
- Please pack-out or dispose of all trash and recyclable materials in the containers provided.
- Respect the wildlife that live here. Hunting and trapping is prohibited. Don’t approach, harass, or feed wild animals and please don’t leave food or trash where they can get to it.
- Firecrackers and other explosive devices, firearms, air rifles or pistols, gas weapons, slingshots, crossbows, bow and arrows are prohibited except by special permit or by a credentialed law enforcement officer.
- Fishing is allowed and encouraged. All Connecticut fishing rules and regulations, including permit requirements, apply. Please do not fish from or near our sandy beach areas; hooks in bare feet hurt! The transport of live bait to Deer Lake Outdoor Center is prohibited. Any personal equipment used in or near the water, such as shoes or lifejackets, must be clean and dry prior to transport to Deer Lake Outdoor Center.
- Swimming in any body of water at Deer Lake Outdoor Center is authorized only as part of an organized program arranged by Deer Lake Outdoor Center.
- Deer Lake Outdoor Center has watercraft and associated equipment available for rent. To prevent the spread of invasive species, the transport of watercraft to Deer Lake Outdoor Center is prohibited. Any personal equipment used in or near the water, such as shoes or lifejackets, must be clean and dry prior to transport to Deer Lake Outdoor Center.
- Bouldering and rock climbing are permitted by permit only. All climbing is at your own risk. The installation of fixed protection is prohibited without specific written permission.
- Challenge course and low-ropes initiative areas are open only to participants under the direct supervision of a Deer Lake Outdoor Center challenge course facilitator.
- No plant may be uprooted or cut, and no earth material may be dug or removed without written permission from Deer Lake Outdoor Center.
- The possession of alcoholic beverages is authorized only for registered guests and only in their campsite or cabin or by attendees of events or festivals and only in designated areas.
- Our shower houses and privies are available for all guests. Please be courteous and clean up after yourself when you use these shared facilities. All human waste, and only human waste and toilet paper, must be disposed of in the provided privies and toilets. All other waste including hygiene products must be disposed of in proper waster receptacles. Do not wash your dishes in the bathroom sinks. Instead, please use the provided dishwashing stations or use small quantities of biodegradable soap and then scatter the strained dishwater on the ground away from campsites and structures.
