Seasonal glamping near Avon, Connecticut provides options beyond the standard tent camping experience. Most glamping sites in the region operate from April through October with limited availability in colder months. The Connecticut River Valley sits at elevations from 200-350 feet, creating a mix of wooded terrain and waterfront settings for upscale outdoor stays. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F with higher humidity levels than inland areas.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing access: Wilderness Lake Campground offers free watercraft use for their lake. "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake," notes Rob L., who appreciated the convenience of on-site water activities.
Hiking trails: Copake Falls Area at Taconic State Park connects to multiple trail systems, including a direct route to Bash Bish Falls. "There was a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming. This location was very accessible to the Bish Bash Falls trail and even had a few side trails to explore," shares Christina M.
Swimming options: Prospect Mountain Campground provides both pool access and natural swimming areas. According to Megin F., "Pool was lovely and refreshing. I do wish they had more bathrooms though. Especially by the pool!"
Local attractions: Wolf's Den Family Campground serves as a base for exploring regional sights. "Nearby attractions are Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera. The campground itself is really nice," states Kevin J., highlighting the central location for Connecticut day trips.
What campers like
Wilderness setting: Tent campers appreciate the secluded spots at Wilderness Lake Campground. "While this is about 60% RVs, the tent sites are great. The host gave us a secluded spot in the back to the point I didn't feel like I was at a campground other than the fire ring," explains Robert L.
Clean facilities: Lake Compounce Campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," reports Diane R., noting thoughtful design elements.
Woodside platforms: Taconic State Park provides raised tent platforms at their sites. "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table," describes Christina M., noting the ease of setup compared to ground tents.
Waterfront views: Brialee Family Campground offers premium sites near water features. A recent visitor commented, "The sites on the water looked nice - hoping to try for that next time!" showing the appeal of lakeside accommodations.
What you should know
Site privacy varies: At White Pines Campsites, the level of seclusion depends on location. "We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site. A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped," notes Becca Z.
Weekend crowds: Many campgrounds near Avon experience significant increases in visitors Friday through Sunday. "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," warns John E. about Taconic State Park.
Cash-only policies: Some smaller operations have limited payment options. Wilderness Lake Park visitor Hails L. advises, "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared."
Bear awareness: Wildlife encounters are possible at several locations. At Lake Compounce, one camper noted, "We see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their leftover food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Brialee Family Campground offers organized events throughout the day. "The campground offers activities pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy. Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs," explains Mallory P.
Kid-friendly amenities: Prospect Mountain Campground provides multiple recreation options. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar," explains Sandra S.
Safety considerations: Lake Waramaug State Park requires extra vigilance due to road proximity. A visitor cautions, "A main road does separate the camp sites from the water so it is important to look after little ones."
Noise levels: Campgrounds with seasonal populations may have different quiet hours enforcement. At White Pines, one camper reported, "Night fell and the place turned into Margaritaville. The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place and while some have tasteful decor and lights, others not so much."
Tips from RVers
Site orientation: Lake Compounce Campground has a unique layout worth noting. "You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains Diane R., adding that "Easy entry, long pull thrus" make the setup process simpler.
Dump station access: Multiple campgrounds offer varying waste disposal options. Ray B. notes about Lake Compounce, "Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," an important distinction for longer stays.
Gray water handling: Wolf's Den Family Campground provides on-site gray water disposal options. "Grey dump at site. Power and water at every site," reports Jeremy G., noting this as a convenience for extended stays.
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. A Lake Waramaug camper reports, "Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years."
