Cabin accommodations near Ballouville, Connecticut provide shelter among the deciduous forests of northeastern Connecticut's Quiet Corner region. Situated at approximately 400 feet elevation, this area experiences typical New England seasonal weather with warm summers and cold winters. Several campgrounds within 10 miles of Ballouville offer cabin rentals that remain open from April through mid-October.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Access the 162-acre pond at George Washington State Campground for bass and panfish. "My family and I come here twice a season it's quiet it's calm and never crowded. There's fishing and hiking right in the park," notes camper Nick S.
**Hiking trail networks: Several campgrounds maintain marked paths through northeastern Connecticut woodlands. At George Washington State Campground, "There is a nice beach for children. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe. The dogs cannot go on the beach, but they can go in the boats," reports Jessica W.
**Water recreation: The pond at Charlie Brown Campground provides swimming and paddling options during summer months. "Located in the quiet corner of CT. The RV sites are very large and the owners go out of their way to make you happy," explains one visitor. Canoe and kayak rentals available at reasonable rates.
**Disc golf course: West Thompson Lake Campground maintains a full disc golf course adjacent to cabin areas. Campers can bring their own equipment or sometimes borrow discs from the ranger station when available.
What campers like
**Spacious sites: Many cabin rentals include ample outdoor space. At Brialee Family Campground, "The sites are pretty cramped and don't offer for lots of activities to be done at your site," but 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," notes Mallory P.
**Clean facilities: Campground maintenance ranks high in camper satisfaction. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)," reports Nick P. about facilities at George Washington State Campground.
**Family programming: Scheduled activities enhance cabin stays. At Brialee, one visitor recalls, "My family used to camp at this ground on an annual basis. There were all kinds of activities (kick-ball, etc.) that everyone could participate in, a great playground, and easy to navigate."
**Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds provide shoreline fishing. At Charlie Brown Campground, the "campground is so scenic. Surrounded by the Natchaug forest, and adjacent to the Natchaug River," with good fishing opportunities along the riverbanks.
What you should know
**Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities near Ballouville close by mid-October. Brialee operates from mid-April through October, while Charlie Brown Campground runs April 15 to October 15.
**Security measures: West Thompson Lake Campground enforces strict access controls. "Large campsites, Nice basketball court, Decent bathrooms for a state campground, only complaint is that they close the gate to enter at 9pm," notes Cameron F.
**Rate variations: Non-resident fees apply at some facilities. At George Washington State Campground, "If you're not a Rhode Island resident the fee for most sites is $36/night," according to Ryan A., who adds, "It's better than the other campgrounds in Rhode Island that I looked at but isn't my favorite campground."
**Swimming restrictions: Despite proximity to water, swimming areas vary. At West Thompson Lake Campground, "The lake is pretty but you cannot swim or eat the fish. There are a lot of choices for hiking including a disc golf course," explains one camper.
Tips for camping with families
**Activity planning: Choose cabins with built-in entertainment options. At Stateline Campresort & Cabins, "Clean, wooded and open sites some overlook a large pond. Boat rentals, pool, game room available. The site we had overlooked the pond and was perfect," shares Tony O.
**Cabin selection: Cabins near amenities reduce walking distance for children. At Brialee, "Have visited this campground many many times and have never been disappointed. Plenty of activities and things for kids to do; Rec hall, mini golf, shuffleboard, beach, pool, playground. Park is kept clean and tidy," reports Christine M.
**Bathroom proximity: Consider cabin location relative to facilities. "We stayed at one of their lean-to sites a few years ago with 3 other friends and had a good time. Very convenient to have the elevated space to sleep and store items in. They have bathrooms and showers close by," notes one camper about West Thompson Lake.
**Weekend noise: Expect increased activity during weekends. As one Brialee visitor notes, "Weekends tend to get loud but we don't mind that," while midweek stays typically offer quieter environments.
Tips from RVers
**Winter storage options: Some cabin-equipped campgrounds offer off-season storage for RVs. Monthly rates typically range from $50-100 depending on size and electricity needs.
**Utility connections: Verify what hookups cabin sites include. At Holiday Acres Campground, "Electrical at my campsite could use a little work. The sewer on my site overflowed after only ~15-20 gallons of dumping," warns Michael K.
**Site leveling: Ask about terrain when booking. Michael also notes that "Most of the campsites seem to have an open area in the middle between them that allows for maneuvering and socializing," which helps with parking larger vehicles.
**Camp store supplies: Many cabin campgrounds maintain small stores. Holiday Acres "camp store is small but well stocked and the prices are very good," providing basic supplies without requiring a trip to town.
