When Samuel Colt started his Hartford factory on the banks of the Connecticut River in 1847, it followed years of mismanagement and failure. Soon, demand for Colt's revolver would change his fortunes and the Colt empire was born. Following Colt's untimely death in 1862, his wife, Elizabeth Colt, would lead the company
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
Free entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact (860) 500-6078 · colt@nps.gov
Coltsville NHP is located in Hartford, Connecticut in the heart of the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood. See our directions page for how to get here.
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Coltsville National Historical Park — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at Coltsville National Historical Park?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Yes Can you kayak, paddle, or boat here?
Yes — there’s water for boating and paddling at Coltsville National Historical Park. Hand-launched craft usually need no permit; motorized boats may need registration or a launch fee.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Park Service land.
Nearby sites
Knightville Dam
CheckArmy Corps site — the pass gives 50% off day-use fees only and never covers camping. Confirm at the gate.
Heather Katsoulis from Southern NH / CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Littleville Lake
CheckArmy Corps site — the pass gives 50% off day-use fees only and never covers camping. Confirm at the gate.
