106 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and forests surrounding Bridgewater, Connecticut feature a variety of camping experiences within a short drive. Kettletown State Park in nearby Southbury offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with water and electric hookups from May through early September. Lake Waramaug State Park in New Preston provides lakeside camping with boat-in access options and views of the water. Within 30 minutes, campers can reach Black Rock State Park in Watertown and Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent, both offering traditional wooded sites. Private options include Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam with 178 sites open from mid-April through mid-October, and the smaller Freedom Farm Homestead with 20 sites for tents and RVs.
Reservations are essential for Connecticut state parks, particularly during the summer season when most campgrounds operate (typically late May through early September). Many campgrounds in the region have limited or no availability during winter months. Site privacy varies considerably, with some campers noting closely spaced sites at Kettletown State Park. As one visitor observed, "The sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent." Cell service is generally available but can be spotty in more remote areas. Most state park campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilets, though facilities vary in quality and age.
Waterfront camping locations tend to fill quickly during summer weekends. Lake Waramaug State Park receives mixed reviews, with one camper noting, "Sites are HUGE. You will almost always have a view of the water," while cautioning, "Wouldn't even try to stay here on a weekend unless you like seeing/hearing your neighbors' every move as there is zero privacy." Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, with reviewers mentioning skunks and squirrels at Lake Waramaug. Hiking trails connect to many campgrounds, offering recreational opportunities beyond the campsites themselves. Macedonia Brook State Park is particularly noted for its wilderness setting, with one visitor describing it as "perfect for teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges." The Bridgewater area provides excellent access to diverse camping opportunities across western Connecticut, with campgrounds ranging from more developed facilities to more secluded natural settings.
"We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "
"Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"The campsite (#040) was private, but was located next to the Nature Center and a water spigot, so it was not a super quiet place."
from $21 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / 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"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"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"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"
ScoutI was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy. Had smoke from the Canadian Wildfire which made for a good sunset
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
TravelerWe arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
GuideTall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane. The campground is landscaped and maintained beautifully. the highlight is the river, ever-present in sound. The primo sites are on the northern end , where most sites are right on the water, and just a small descent. Bathrooms are good, not great. Showers are push button automatic, water was warm. We have a small RV, the dump site is up the main road about a 1/2 mile in a turnout. Free for campers, on your honor. At office were college aged young men and women in very casual street clothes all very nice, and mannerly, but not very knowledgeable, and hard to believe they could handle an adverse situation. I asked for the soap to be filled in the mens room on Thursday afternoon at 4 and it was still not done at noon the next day. -it’s a 2 minute walk from the office. I asked about a hike, they told me a trail head was a mile up the road. We found a spur directly across the street. I miss real docents, with knowledge, and wearing the garb. All sites not directly on the river side have paths down to get there. Did a nice little moderate hike just across the street called Pine Knob. Nice vista, quick 760ft ascent, combines withe AT for a length, then back down total 3 miles the way we did it. Some nice restaurants in Kent. Found a good breakfast in Goshen. We’ll be going back.
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
GuideA really nice campground for tenters and dry campers. No hookups, but decent bathrooms, lukewarm showers and well kept. 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. The only negative is Route 7, which gets busy in the mornings, and at rush hours, but quiets down at night. Not a busy highway to begin with, but a major route. A good up and down hike right across the street, 760 ft ascent in a mile or so, 3 mile loop, you see AT through hikers on the portion of the combined trail. There is a drinking water tap you can hook a hose to for filling your RV, or jugs. No dump station. We had our class B here. Sites mostly level. Come during the week for better privacy. Supposedly fly fisherman come on weekends. Cute cabins for rent in a awesome location.
GuideSpent one night here. The park is quiet. The facilities are a little outdated, although they said that newer ones had been built by the marina. I wasn’t up for the 15 minute walk, having just hiked up a mountain. My spot included electrical and water hook ups.
TravelerCampground: fairly secluded, forested, breezy with some wildlife. Small camp store. Ingress/Egress: Tight approach with multiple switchbacks and steep grades - if you’re coming in a towable rig over 36’ you might want to take a solo look first. Sites are oddly arranged and there aren’t any FHU sites. Cell: Verizon in spot C9 had 1-bar; we used Starlink for connectivity. Laundry: 3 washers & 3 dryers: $2.50 each. Dump Station: was close by (across the street) but we didn’t need it for our 3 day stay. Bathhouse: across the street, clean and we used it almost exclusively. Noise: Quiet with some small arms fire, but barely noticeable from our site. Site C9: can be viewed from Google street view site is north of the lake in the horseshoe road- some cabins are viewable as well. Site is gravel with composite picnic table, post metal grill and truck rim fire ring. Water pressure- fluctuated 30psi-50psi: hunted constantly. Cabins: available and in good order. They appear to be older, but still functional- mini log cabins $65/night (primitive-no bathroom)
GuideWe've only stayed overnight at this campground. Roads are all paved, and some sites as well. They stagger the campers so that you don't look right into another camper, which makes it feel like you are camping in the woods.
Lots of trees so watch DVD or OTA television as you likely won't get satellite TV in your rig. Large swimming pool and playground for kids. There is an activity center where you can get something to eat, and sit on the deck to enjoy the scenery.
Sites are level. Staff are friendly. The camp store is large and well stocked in just about anything that you could need.
Enough trees that if you have a large rig and are towing you need to use some care leaving your RV site.
Connecticut's camping sites near Bridgewater offer diverse terrain options with elevations ranging from 200 to 1,600 feet across the region. Located in western Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, the area experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F from June through early September when most campgrounds operate. Late summer evenings can drop to the 50s, requiring campers to pack accordingly for temperature shifts.
Archery activities: At Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam, families can participate in organized archery sessions. "Family activities, like archery, were excellent," notes one visitor who appreciated the structured activities beyond typical camping recreation.
Fishing opportunities: Point Folly Campground offers direct lake access for anglers. "Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island," reports a camper who enjoyed the variety of water activities. Bantam Lake provides good fishing spots particularly on the western shore, which experiences less wind interference.
Survival skills training: Macedonia Brook State Park serves as an excellent location for wilderness skills development. A scout leader explains, "The place is great it's perfect for teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges." The park's rustic setting makes it ideal for outdoor education.
Spacious waterfront options: Point Folly attracts repeat visitors with its waterfront positioning. "It's not much of a campground yet it has me returning at least twice a year since friends recommended it to me," writes one regular camper who prefers the western side where sites are less affected by wind.
Family-friendly environment: Kettletown State Park receives praise for its welcoming atmosphere for families with children. "The reason why I said place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" shares an enthusiastic parent who appreciated the open space.
Clean facilities: Black Rock State Park maintains well-kept facilities according to campers. "The staff greeted with warm welcomes and big smiles... And the grounds staff smiled and waved as they went by," reports one visitor who noted the "REALLY HOT showers" and accessible dish washing areas.
Wildlife awareness: Wildlife encounters extend beyond what's mentioned in existing reviews. At Kettletown State Park, a camper advises, "One thing that I have to say to watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. Be sure put foods in the car!"
Cell service limitations: Steep Rock Association campsites offer complete disconnection from technology. "There is no cell phone coverage at any of the campsites," states one reviewer who found this information important for planning purposes.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region operate only from late May through early September, with some extending into October. Freedom Farm Homestead offers 20 sites for tents and RVs but requires advance planning due to limited availability.
Pool depth considerations: Cozy Hills Campground features a family-friendly swimming pool. "The pool is nice, no deep end, really safe for younger kids," explains a visitor who found this feature particularly beneficial for families with small children.
Site selection strategy: Macedonia Brook State Park offers varying site layouts that affect your camping experience. "The camp sites were laid out kind of odd, making some of them right up on a neighbor spot even when they didn't need to be," notes one camper who recommends visiting during less busy periods.
Evening entertainment: Star-gazing opportunities enhance the camping experience at several locations. A Kettletown camper mentions, "Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!" making this a natural nighttime activity for families without requiring special equipment.
Leveling challenges: Gentiles Campground presents navigational challenges for larger vehicles. "Roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," cautions an RVer who struggled with the terrain.
Utility availability: Black Rock State Park provides necessary amenities for RV campers. "No water or electric hookup but I have solar and a generator... They also have a dump station and a place to fill up ur water tank as well," explains a self-contained RVer who found the facilities adequate despite lacking hookups.
Seasonal site availability: Many RVers recommend securing reservations well in advance, particularly for sites at popular locations like Lake Waramaug and Kettletown State Park where RV-compatible sites are limited and typically fill 2-3 months ahead of summer weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bridgewater, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bridgewater, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near Bridgewater, CT and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bridgewater, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bridgewater, CT is Kettletown State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bridgewater, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Bridgewater, CT.
What parks are near Bridgewater, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Bridgewater, CT that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.
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