Camping in the region surrounding Bethel, Connecticut centers on the western Connecticut foothills where elevation ranges from 400 to 1,000 feet. The area features mixed hardwood forests of oak, maple and birch with numerous small lakes and streams. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with evening lows dropping into the 50s, creating favorable conditions for tent camping near Bethel, Connecticut from May through October.
What to do
Hiking trails: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers over 40 miles of marked trails through varied terrain. "This is a great place for camping. The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather. The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area," notes Ethan K. from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
Swimming: Sebago Cabin Camp provides access to a large lake for cooling off during summer camping trips. "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day," says Ethan K. about Sebago Cabin Camp.
Rock scrambling: For experienced hikers seeking more adventure, the Suffern-Bear Mountain trail offers challenging terrain. "At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain. At the top of the scramble is a primitive camping site with amazing views," reports Ethan K. about this challenging route.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides well-spaced camping areas. "The sites are much farther away from the comfort stations than most campgrounds we have been to. But there are port-a-potties very close to the sites, which is very important when you have young kids," mentions Ming R. from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
Clean facilities: Croton Point Park maintains tidy bathroom facilities for campers. "Clean but a bit dated. No shelves or hooks for toiletries. I was surprised the door was left open all night long," reports Lee D. from Croton Point Park.
Year-round access: Many local campers appreciate winter camping options. "Ive been coming here for years. They have great sights and are open all year round. Ive stayed in hammocks, tents, leantos, and even did a good share of car camping," states Paul R. about his experiences at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
What you should know
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds near Bethel require advance planning. "The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site," explains Lee D. about Croton Point Park.
Rules vary by park: Each campground maintains different policies on fires, noise, and pets. "There is a sign warning that the toilets were slow flushing, but I think this may have been fixed because the flush was so powerful that the water splashed over the top of the seat," notes Lee D. about unexpected conditions at Croton Point Park.
Wildlife concerns: The region has active wildlife that requires proper food storage. "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night," warns Anil S. about camping at Croton Point Park.
Tips for camping with families
Shelter options: For families new to tent camping Bethel, Connecticut area shelters provide a good transition. "The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather," says Ethan K. about the lean-to structures at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation for children. "There is a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids," shares Andrew A. about Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground.
Facilities access: Consider proximity to restrooms when camping with children. "The site was very nice, all the people friendly and area beautiful," reports Kevin G., a first-time camper who visited Croton Point Park with his 5-year-old son and wife.
Tips for RVers
Limited hookup options: RV camping options are restricted near Bethel. "This is state park, very large nested on Peninsula on the Hudson River," notes Ioan P. about Croton Point Park, one of the few campgrounds offering RV sites with hookups.
Size limitations: Most campgrounds cannot accommodate large RVs. "We had a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level. The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together," explains Lee D. about the RV setup at Croton Point Park.
Noise considerations: RV campers should be aware of potential noise sources. "Only down side is there is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night," warns Andrew A. about conditions at Croton Point Park that might affect light sleepers in RVs.
