Camping options near Amston, Connecticut span a 10-20 mile radius with most destinations situated along rivers, lakes, or wooded terrain. The area maintains average summer temperatures between 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through September. Fall camping extends into October at most campgrounds with overnight temperatures dropping to 40-50°F, requiring additional thermal preparation.
What to do
Kayaking at Salem Farms: Located 8 miles from Amston, Salem Farms Campground provides direct access to fishing ponds and nearby water recreation. A camper noted, "Great camping out the the woods of Salem ct," with many visitors appreciating the natural setting for water activities.
Mini-golf and recreation: Wolf's Den Family Campground offers mini-golf for $2 per person plus various sports facilities. "Mini golf, pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lots of playgrounds for the kids. Family oriented park. Bingo, board games, and other activities available," a reviewer mentioned, highlighting the diverse recreational options.
Fall camping and Halloween events: Odetah Camping Resort hosts special themed weekends in autumn. "We went two years in a row each on Halloween! They had great amenities and activities for the kids. Plus a costume contest and tricker treating. Very enjoyable time," shared one camper who visited during the fall season.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Witch Meadow Lake Campground provides sites along their small lake. A camper explained, "The owner of the property takes pride in the campground and it shows. Swimming pool, facilities, small lake as well larger lakes in the surrounding area."
Wooded privacy: Waters Edge Family Campground offers secluded sites in forested areas. "Most amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us)... Every one of us had a great time with the perfect campsite deep in the woods (still able to park my 26' camper trailer)," reported a satisfied visitor.
Hiking trails and waterfalls: At Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground, visitors can access natural features within minutes of their sites. "The waterfall was a quick walk away and you could hike down to the river for a quick dip. The river isn't deep enough for a full swim but still was good enough on a hot day," noted a camper describing the hiking options.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds open from May through mid-October, with limited facilities in shoulder seasons. Brialee Family Campground costs approximately "$452 for the week, plus $10 for the poop truck," according to one camper describing the typical price range for weekly stays.
Reservation requirements: Salt Rock Campground and other state parks book up quickly for summer weekends. A visitor explained, "Quiet on opening weekend. Sites are a mix of field, shaded, and partly shaded," noting that early season camping offers more availability than peak summer months.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: State park campgrounds typically offer basic facilities compared to private campgrounds. At Devil's Hopyard, a camper noted, "No amenities other than porta potty's," while Salt Rock received feedback that "Bathrooms are atrocious - stall doors have no locks, metal fittings are rusty, paint is peeling, showers are lukewarm and temp cannot be changed."
Tips for camping with families
Look for supervised activities: Rocky Neck State Park Campground provides structured programming for children. "The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails. A great family campsite with easy to get to activities," shared a regular visitor.
Consider off-peak timing: Campsites are less crowded and more affordable during weekdays and shoulder seasons. "We tent close to the restroom and the pool, which are very clean. We go mid week and the special is pay 2 nights, get third night free," noted a grandparent who regularly camps at Salem Farms with grandchildren.
Weather preparation: Late summer and early fall camping requires planning for temperature fluctuations. A camper at Brialee mentioned, "The campground offers activities pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy," making it easier to adapt to changing weather conditions with indoor and outdoor options.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Wolf's Den Family Campground provides appropriate access for larger RVs with necessary utilities. "Only electric 30 or 50A, and water; but there are a few dumpstations around in the camp. Very peaceful. Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground," advised an experienced RVer.
Site selection for larger units: At Waters Edge, certain areas accommodate bigger rigs better than others. "Enormous and well maintained... Booked a site for October before we left," mentioned a camper who appreciated the spacious layout for their RV.
Seasonal rental considerations: Many campgrounds near Amston have high percentages of seasonal campers, which affects weekend atmosphere. At Odetah, a visitor observed, "We had two sites side by side for our group of 7 and two dogs. The staff will deliver wood right to your site. The only con is the sites are not very private...at all."
