Best Campgrounds near Bantam, CT

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Bantam, Connecticut (119)

    1. Cozy Hills Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bantam, CT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-2119

    $72 - $122 / night

    "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."

    2. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    New Preston, CT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 868-0220

    $17 - $50 / night

    "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 !"

    3. Black Rock State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Thomaston, CT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8088

    $17 - $50 / night

    "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."

    4. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Kent, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 927-3238

    $14 / night

    "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!"

    5. Gentiles Campground

    7 Reviews
    Plymouth, CT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8437

    $55 - $150 / night

    "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!"

    6. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 583-3300

    "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."

    7. Point Folly Campground

    2 Reviews
    Bantam, CT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-0089

    "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"

    8. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Riverton, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0922

    $17 - $50 / night

    "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."

    9. Windmill Hill - Connecticut White Memorial Campground

    1 Review
    Bantam, CT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-0089

    $25 / night

    "Quiet woods atmosphere with trail’s. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean"

    10. White Pines Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Winsted, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0124

    $74 / night

    "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"

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Recent Reviews near Bantam, CT

527 Reviews of 119 Bantam Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Point Folly Campground

    Great

    I’ve been coming here for decades. Little store has what you need if you can find the shop keeper. Great access to bantam lake. You can leave you canoes/kayaks tied up in the water. Great fishing. Love it overall. The only issue I have is the pit toilets are brutal. If you are tent camping, beware!

  • Christine S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Quiet and clean

    So far it's been pretty quiet but we are here at the beginning of October on a Monday. Nice area.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Average

    We stayed one night in late September without a reservation. Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers. We’re from out of state and paid about $23 for a tent site which was reasonable for the facilities.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sylvan Lake Beach Park

    Great Beach Lake for summer swimming and Boating

    This is an old campground, but is quite quaint. Reminds me of lake camping that I grew up with. Hosts are very nice and helpful. This is more of a seasonal camping site. Do not follow your GPS directions. Get directions from the campground staff.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

    West Point

    No frills but beautiful. Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful. Military families should check it out!

  • Michael
    Sep. 20, 2025

    The Quarry Campground

    The Quarry Campground

    Very quiet. At night all you can hear is the crackling of the campfire.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.


Guide to Bantam

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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."

What you should know

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."

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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.