120 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Litchfield Hills region surrounding Bantam, Connecticut features several established campgrounds within a short drive of town. Point Folly Campground sits directly on Bantam Lake, providing waterfront sites for tents and RVs from early May through Columbus Day. Cozy Hills Campground, located on Bantam Road, offers 178 sites with full hookups for RVs, tent camping areas, and cabin rentals from mid-April to mid-October. Within 20 miles, campers can access Lake Waramaug State Park in New Preston and Black Rock State Park in Watertown, both offering more rustic camping experiences with fewer amenities but scenic natural settings. The White Memorial Conservation Center also maintains camping areas near Bantam Lake, including the primitive Windmill Hill Campground for tent campers seeking a more secluded experience.
Most campgrounds in the Bantam area operate seasonally from May through early October, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. As one camper noted about Point Folly, "The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters, kayakers, fishermen and families. The east side of the lake is much more windy than the west side." Weather considerations include occasional summer thunderstorms and potential flooding at some lakeside sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though spotty in more remote areas. Ticks are prevalent, particularly in spring and early summer, with several reviewers mentioning the need for thorough checks after camping.
Family-friendly amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. Private facilities like Cozy Hills offer more developed infrastructure including camp stores, playgrounds, and organized activities. State park campgrounds provide basic amenities with access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and swimming areas. Site privacy is inconsistent across the region, with some campers noting close proximity to neighbors. A reviewer at Lake Waramaug State Park mentioned, "Sites are huge with bathrooms, water, and showers close by. You will almost always have a view of the water. Wouldn't even try to stay here on a weekend unless you like seeing your neighbors' every move as there is zero privacy." Wildlife sightings are common, with beaver, deer, and various bird species frequently spotted from campsites.
"While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there."
"We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
from $72 - $122 / night
Check Availability"My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."
"One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful state park, very clean .. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers .. stores within a 5 minute drive. Most of the camp ground site are not secluded .."
"The family next to me offered me dinner one night after I spent the whole day working on my RV. Spanish rice chicken the works the plate could barely hold it all."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."
"We got a tent spot and it was perfect since it was the furthest one away and there was no one near us which is probably why we loved it so much bc we were so isolated. a little disappointed in the site"
from $50 - $62 / night
Check Availability"We were passing through Connecticut and needed a place to crash. Loved this campsite! Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a litrle community but still quotr private."
"Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots. Definitely need to come back. Great rates on all sites."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges place is clean it has running water has a porta potty and festival you don't have to worry because the state of Connecticut"
"Our camp spot was right above the river the flows behind this spot. You can go sit down by the water. But be careful!"
from $14 / night
Check Availability"Tall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane."
"The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."
"There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"
from $55 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."
"It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
"The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake. "
"Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"
ScoutWhite Pines is a comfortable place to spend the summer. We like having the campground store nearby, reliable Wi-Fi when we need it, and plenty of outdoor activities when we want to unplug. It’s become one of our favorite places to get away.
ScoutRip Van Winkle Campground
Catskills NY
The Good:
1. The location
2. The actual campground itself. There are roomy sites with trees.
The Bad:
1. If you are lucky enough to get an assigned campsite away from the busy road, it is a HALF MILE walk to the only showers in the ENTIRE campground. They have nearly 200 campsites and ONE set of showers.
2. The speed bumps are beyond ridiculous. Two humpers and high as Bob Marley.
3. If you call the office for help (our electrical post was out) they record you without your knowledge.
The Ugly:
1. The campground lost power on my electrical post and tried to blame ME for it. I own a Bulldog surge protector, yeah, so it wasn't me. How it was handled was unbelievable. I have never been treated so rudely. A simple apology would have gone a long way.
ScoutOur family brought our camper to White Pines for the whole summer, and it has been a great home base for us. We love having everything ready whenever we have a free weekend, and the kids are always excited to come back and see the friends they’ve made around the campground. There is a nice mix of activities and downtime. Some days we spend time at the pool or go fishing, while other days we barely leave the campsite. The staff has always been friendly and approachable, and everyone around us has made us feel welcome.
ScoutThe hikes are nice and plentiful. Very cool waterfall near campground. That’s about as far as the good goes. Very unregulated campground. Didn’t see a single ranger the entire time. No one to check in with or enforce rules, which many took advantage of to party into very late at night. Sites are very close together with no privacy. You can hear someone having a casual conversation in the site over. Go here if you just want to party with friends, not if you want a peaceful time.
ScoutWe stay at a lot of Jellystone parks so have become accustomed to the park layouts and activities. This one was well maintained with clean facilities. Some things like the mini golf and fire pits needed maintenance. The pools were nice but get very busy later in the day. The sites up on the hills are nice but beware, it’s a hill! There is little to no WiFi or cell service or it gets easily bogged down, so be ready for that. Food was basic but good. Some activities like bingo were a bit chaotic and there were a lot of ground hornets around the jumping pillows. Would totally go again.
ScoutWe keep our camper here for the season and the kids look forward to coming back every week. They enjoy the pool and activities, while we’re happy just sitting outside and catching up with our campground neighbors.
TravelerWe’ve been coming to the Northampton, MA KOA for over 6 years now, several times each year, and it continues to be one of our favorite places to camp. There are a few key things that keep us coming back year after year.
First, they do an amazing job keeping our kids busy and entertained. There’s always something going on, which makes it a truly family-friendly campground and allows us parents to relax and enjoy our time as well.
The facilities are always clean, well-maintained, and organized. You can tell the staff takes pride in keeping everything in great shape, which makes a big difference in the overall experience.
What really stands out, though, is the management and staff. They are consistently friendly, helpful, and go above and beyond to make sure guests have a great stay. That level of care and attention is hard to find and is a big reason why we remain loyal visitors. This campground may very well be the best Koa that I have ever stayed at.
If you’re looking for a campground that’s clean, family-oriented, and run by an amazing team, this KOA is definitely worth visiting. We look forward to many more years of camping here!
ScoutReally fun family campground. The kids loved the pool and we spent a lot of time fishing at the pond. Everyone we talked to was welcoming and we had a great weekend.
ScoutWe’ve had our camper at White Pines for summer and have really enjoyed it. It’s nice having everything set up and being able to come up whenever we have a free weekend. The staff is friendly and there’s always something going on.
The Bantam area sits within the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut at approximately 900 feet elevation, creating a temperate camping environment with average summer temperatures ranging from 60-85°F. Camping spots near Bantam, Connecticut typically require reservations 2-3 weeks in advance during summer months. Winter camping options are limited as most campgrounds close by mid-October and don't reopen until late April or early May.
Fishing opportunities: At Point Folly Campground, campers access prime fishing spots on Bantam Lake. "Clean and quiet. Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island," notes one camper. The campground sits directly on the lake, providing easy water access for anglers.
Hiking trail access: Several excellent hiking trails extend from campgrounds in the region. The Macedonia Brook State Park trail network offers challenging terrain with elevation changes of 300-800 feet. A reviewer remarked, "The loop hike over the mountains was good, at times more intermediate than beginner and I wouldn't try to go it with younger kids."
Swimming options: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground provides lake swimming, though some find the designated swim area basic. As one camper noted, "The swim area is marginal- best for little ones." For more swimming options, some campers recommend visiting nearby Mt. Tom State Park, about 10 minutes from the campground.
Site privacy levels: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Black Rock State Park Campground, "The sites are very spacious and clean," according to one visitor. This contrasts with more densely packed private campgrounds in the area.
Clean facilities: Many campers specifically mention bathroom cleanliness as a key factor. A visitor to Bear Creek Campground noted, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
Disconnecting from technology: Limited cell service at some campgrounds provides a technology break for those seeking it. At Lake Waramaug, a long-time visitor explained, "Cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years. Actually we were a bit disappointed because this camp ground is a great place to disconnect and relax."
Bear activity: Black bears frequent several campgrounds in the region. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," warned a camper at White Pines Campsites. Proper food storage in sealed containers is essential.
Toilet facilities vary: Bathroom amenities differ significantly between campgrounds. At Macedonia Brook State Park, facilities are basic: "No bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps." Other parks offer more developed options with hot showers.
Seasonal campers impact: Some campgrounds have large seasonal populations that affect the camping experience. At White Pines, a visitor observed, "The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place and while some have tasteful decor and lights, others not so much. Even 50 yards away from the RV section and I felt like I was in a dance club parking lot."
Kid-friendly swimming: For families with young children, choose camps with appropriate swimming areas. A visitor to Cozy Hills noted, "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids."
Family activities: Cozy Hills Campground offers organized programming for children. "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc," shared one camper. These structured activities can help keep children entertained during longer stays.
Site selection matters: When booking with children, research specific site locations. As one family noted at Cozy Hills, "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool." Sites closer to bathrooms and activities typically work better for families with small children.
RV site access: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. At Gentiles Campground, a visitor cautioned, "Roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs."
Dump station availability: Few campgrounds in the area offer full hookups. Bear Creek Campground "does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station" according to one RVer. Plan accordingly for longer stays.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds in the Bantam area feature uneven terrain. At White Pines Campsites, visitors noted, "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive through if you can beforehand."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Bantam, CT located?
Bantam is located in the Litchfield Hills region of Connecticut, offering several camping options in the surrounding area. Point Folly Campground is situated right on the shores of Bantam Lake, providing easy water access. For those looking to explore more of the region, Windmill Hill - Connecticut White Memorial Campground is located in nearby Litchfield and offers a peaceful woodland setting. Both campgrounds are within a short drive of Bantam's town center, making them convenient for visitors looking to explore this scenic area of Connecticut.
Can you camp at Bantam Lake and what facilities are available?
Yes, camping is available at Bantam Lake through Point Folly Campground, a small, quiet campground located right on the shoreline. The campground offers basic facilities including water access, pit toilets, and a dumping station. It's particularly popular with boaters, kayakers, and fishing enthusiasts who appreciate the direct lake access. The eastern side of Bantam Lake tends to be windier than the western shore, which can be a consideration when selecting a campsite. For those seeking a more developed camping experience near water, Kettletown State Park Campground is another option in the region with hiking trails and recreational opportunities.
What makes Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam unique compared to other camping options?
Cozy Hills Campground stands out for its accessibility and comprehensive amenities in the Bantam area. Unlike some of the more rustic options nearby, Cozy Hills is fully equipped with reservable sites, water hookups, toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly for RV campers. Its location provides a convenient base for exploring the Litchfield Hills region while offering more amenities than public campgrounds like Black Rock State Park Campground. The campground's name reflects its setting among the rolling hills of western Connecticut, providing a comfortable yet scenic camping experience that balances convenience with natural surroundings.
Keep Exploring
