Photo: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Parking & Access: Barn Island Wildlife Management Area
From Route 1 take Greenhaven Road. Palmer Neck Road (first right) leads to the boat launch. For the main lot, stay on Greenhaven Road, turn right on Stewart Road, and the entrance road is on the right. Do not block gates.
Hunting on this area
| Deer | Archery, firearms, muzzleloader |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Spring and fall: archery, firearms |
| Small game | Open |
| Waterfowl | Open |
| Pheasants stocked | Yes |
Zones within 500-foot boundaries marked on the DEEP map are closed to firearms hunting.
Parts of the area are closed to all hunting; see the map.
Pheasants are stocked in the fields off Stewart Road.
Fluorescent orange is required for most hunting, and CT DEEP recommends an orange vest or hat for every visitor to state land during the hunting season. No Sunday hunting on state and public lands.
Sources: CT DEEP Wildlife Division hunting and access data, DEEP hunting area map (PDF, April 2025), 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide (season dates), CT DEEP fall 2026 season notice (verified October 2026). Rules and seasons change — confirm before you go.
🌤 Weather at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32–67 °F | 59–82 °F | 38–74 °F | 24–45 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Westerly State Airport, 4 mi away, elevation 81 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area is a 1,039-acre state wildlife management area on Little Narragansett Bay in Stonington, New London County, managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Palmer Neck Road, Stonington, CT 06379 (DEEP hunting area map, U.S. Census) |
| Size | 1,039 acres (DEEP hunting area map, as of October 2026) |
| Type | State wildlife management area (DEEP) |
| Entry Fee | No entrance fee is listed by DEEP (as of October 2026) |
| Hours | Half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; hunting and fishing are allowed outside these hours (RCSA § 26-16-3a) |
| Hunting | State hunting area (DEEP, as of October 2026) |
| Boat Launch | Barn Island Boat Launch, trailered (DEEP) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hunting allowed at Barn Island WMA?
Yes. DEEP’s hunting-area data (as of October 2026) list 1,039 acres of Barn Island WMA as a state hunting area. It is open for small game, stocked pheasant, waterfowl, spring and fall turkey (archery and firearms), archery deer, firearms deer without a lottery, and muzzleloader deer hunting. Pheasants are stocked in the fields off Stewart Road. Check the DEEP hunting area map and the current Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for season dates before you go.
Where do I park for Barn Island WMA?
From Route 1 take Greenhaven Road. Palmer Neck Road (first right) leads to the boat launch. For the main lot, stay on Greenhaven Road, turn right on Stewart Road, and the entrance road is on the right. Do not block gates. (DEEP hunting area map, as of October 2026)
When can I visit Barn Island WMA?
Connecticut’s rules for state wildlife management areas close them from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise, except for hunting, fishing and other activities DEEP authorizes (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026).
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that you hold at all times, and under control. Dogs that are hunting or being trained for hunting are exempt from the leash rule, and DEEP can close an area to dogs by posting signs (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026).
About Barn Island WMA
DEEP’s mapped property boundary lies in Stonington. DEEP’s hunting area map describes it as mixed hardwood forest, agricultural and old fields, grassland, and salt, brackish and freshwater wetlands.
DEEP’s hydrography data show Fishers Island Sound, Little Narragansett Bay, and Wequetequock Cove on or along the property. The 2021 National Land Cover Database (NLCD) maps the area as 34 percent forest, 63 percent wetland, and 1 percent pasture and cropland.
Things to Do
Hunters can use the area for small game, stocked pheasant, waterfowl, spring and fall turkey (archery and firearms), archery deer, firearms deer without a lottery, and muzzleloader deer hunting under DEEP’s rules for this area. DEEP lists the Barn Island Boat Launch as a trailered launch, so you can put in a boat or kayak here.
Rules on the Property
Connecticut’s regulation for state wildlife management areas (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026) sets the ground rules here: no motor vehicles, no camping, horses only where not posted against them, bicycles not on posted trails, roads or areas, target shooting only where DEEP designates it, and dogs on a leash of no more than 7 feet unless they are hunting or in hunting training.
Nearby Attractions
Assekonk Swamp Wildlife Management Area, a 701-acre wildlife management area, is about 5 miles north. Haley Farm State Park, a 275-acre state park, is about 6 miles west. Bluff Point State Park, a 68-acre state park, is about 7 miles west. Pachaug State Forest, a 26,662-acre state forest, is about 8 miles north. Distances are straight-line between the DEEP property boundaries; acreages are DEEP figures.
🦆 Visit Barn Island WMA
1,039 acres in Stonington. Open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area
Park policy: This is a state wildlife management area, not a state park, so Connecticut's state park pet rules do not apply here. Connecticut's rules for state wildlife management areas (RCSA § 26-16-3a) require dogs to be on a leash no longer than 7 feet, held at all times by the person responsible, and under control (as of October 2026).
- Pets allowed?
- Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that the person responsible holds at all times
- Park-specific rules
- Dogs that are hunting or being trained for hunting are exempt from the leash rule. DEEP can close any area or time period to all dogs by posting signs.
Are dogs allowed at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that the person responsible holds at all times.
More: Connecticut state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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