Best Tent Camping near Bristol, CT

Tent camping near Bristol, Connecticut offers several options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking natural settings within a short drive. Onion Mountain Park, located about 10 miles west of Bristol, provides primitive tent-only camping in a wooded setting. Windmill Hill in the White Memorial Conservation Center (Litchfield) offers tent sites with basic amenities approximately 20 miles northwest of Bristol. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Chapman Pond Preserve provides walk-in tent sites along the Connecticut River, while Selden Neck State Park features boat-in tent camping on an island in the Connecticut River.

Most tent campgrounds in the Bristol area require varying levels of preparation. Onion Mountain Park features free primitive tent camping with no potable water or toilet facilities, requiring hikers to pack in all supplies and follow Leave No Trace principles. Access is via the blue or yellow trail from the parking area. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, though farther away in New York, offers year-round tent camping with more amenities including fire pits, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. Bear activity is present throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential at all locations. Fire regulations vary by site, with most established campgrounds permitting fires in designated rings only.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Bristol provides opportunities for solitude and connection with nature. According to reviews, Onion Mountain Park offers "very peaceful overnight camping" with small campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. One visitor noted, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent." For water-based tent camping, Selden Neck State Park provides a unique experience with four tent sites accessible only by boat or kayak. The 20-minute paddle from Deep River Landing leads to secluded tent sites with fire pits, picnic tables, and outhouses, offering Connecticut River views and beach access at low tide.

Best Tent Sites Near Bristol, Connecticut (19)

    1. Onion Mountain Park

    3 Reviews
    West Simsbury, CT
    13 miles
    Website

    "We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."

    "Very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required. Small campsite, first come first served basis. Other posts claim you can park right the site, but you can not."

    2. Windmill Hill - Connecticut White Memorial Campground

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

    $25 / night

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

    3. River Highlands State Park River Campground

    1 Review
    Cromwell, CT
    16 miles
    +1 (203) 287-5658

    $5 / night

    "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."

    4. Hidden Lake Farm

    1 Review
    Higganum, CT
    26 miles
    +1 (860) 301-6983

    $49 - $89 / night

    "I would like to welcome your host, Mary, to our platform. There are 2 lodging options to choose from. Pets welcome! Book your stay today and come back here to leave them some love."

    5. Sodom Mountain Campground

    1 Review
    Southwick, MA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 569-3930

    "I wasn't going to come back again but it is very close to my grandkids. All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired.  The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. "

    6. Chapman Pond Preserve

    1 Review
    Hadlyme, CT
    31 miles
    Website

    "Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view. Good site"

    7. Gillette Castle State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hadlyme, CT
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 526-2336

    $5 / night

    "There's a few sites close to each other, so it is nice to go with enough people to occupy them all at once to keep it personal. You can swim and fish and relax all day!"

    8. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."

    "There’s elevation gain, creeks, and open fields for stargazing. You have the options of a lean to here."

    9. Hurd State Park River Camping

    Be the first to review!
    Middle Haddam, CT
    23 miles
    +1 (860) 526-2336

    $5 / night

    10. Selden Neck State Park Campground

    1 Review
    Hadlyme, CT
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 526-2336

    $5 / night

    "Selden Neck State Park is an island in the Connecticut River with no roads or development other than 4 campsites. You have to kayak or boat in."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Bristol, CT

524 Reviews of 19 Bristol Campgrounds


  • Shelly B.
    Oct. 3, 2017

    Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    Busy Place on Weekends - Quiet On Weekdays

    Fahnestock State Park, Carmel, NY

    Busy Campground on Weekends!

    This park has a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch! If you are into fishing, there is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!

    Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck! We stayed in site number 1, and I found it to be just wooded enough. Almost all of the sites offered privacy.... Even when the campground was full. I do feel the campground bathhouse really needed more attention... while it had clearly been painted this past year, it was very “buggy” - and did not appear to have been thoroughly cleaned since spring... (yuck!).

    PRODUCT REVIEW: As a ranger for Dyrt.com, sometimes I am offered the opportunity to test and review various products. At Fahnestock State Park in New York state, I reviewed my Gregory Maven 55L Women’s backpack (see accompanying video).

    Weighing in at 3 pounds 6 ounces, the Gregory Maven was a nice mid-weight pack for me to take on my yearly 2 1/2 week Appalachian Trail hike.

    Normally, I like to save the best for last when I do a review; however, this time I just can’t wait to spread the news about my favorite features! The Maven has a Matrix Ventilation System, which provides exceptional ventilation on the pack’s back panel. This kept my back from being its usual sweaty mess! The second feature that blew me away was how cool my water stayed in this backpack! With other packs, the water gets warmed up from heat radiating off the hiker’s back. This didn’t happen with my Gregory pack! Every pull off my water - from the beginning of the day until hours later - provided me with a refreshingly cool drink. I actually questioned other hikers with Gregory packs to see if I was the only one experiencing this - The other hikers, who had different Gregory models, confirmed that their backs and water were staying cooler too! Added bonus: I was able to pull out the hydration sleeve and use it as a daypack a few times!

    The Maven’s pockets helped me keep my pack much more organized than in the past. It has a lower sleeping bag compartment, top pocket with separate zipper areas (one has a place to attach a car key!), side pockets, hip pockets, and even pockets on the shoulder harnesses! I can’t forget the front pocket, which held the rain fly!

    The pack fit was great, but do be careful to check your sizing if you are looking at both the 45L and 55L. While I am a XS/S with the 55L, I would have been a S/M with the 45L.

    I used this pack for 2 1/2 weeks backpacking over 200 miles on the Appalachian Trail through the states of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The Maven did an outstanding job keeping my possessions organized and dry as well as keeping me comfortable and happy on the trail! This will definitely be my pack of choice for future hikes!

  • Nicole G.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tolland State Forest Campground

    Great Lakeside Campground

    This was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.

    The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Alander Trail Camground — Mount Washington State Forest

    Amazing Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you’re looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy. It’s completely free and it usually isn’t too busy since most people don’t like having to carry all their stuff in that far. You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby

  • John D.
    May. 3, 2015

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Great park in a great location

    I have been camping at Rocky Neck State Park for decades, both tent camping, and now In a 30' camper. Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads. If you can, stay away from the front gates during the typical peak arrival / departure times. Traffic jams occur, partly because you're also in-line with the car loads of beach goers. The beach and beach parking lots fill to capacity. Week ends are the worst.

    The campgrounds are located within internal loops. Most sites are quite level. Park-like settings surrounding a large lawn. Bathhouses are being rehabbed, deemed adequate; can be seedy towards the end of the season. Park is routinely patrolled by State Conservation Officers who will put you out if needed. CT State Police and local officers also patrol. Camp roads are paved, and lots and lots of kids spend time riding bikes, coloring with chalk, skateboarding, roller blading.

    No electrical hook-ups; potable water spigots located within the camping circles. Generators allowed, but there are quiet hours. Dump upon exit; its up top by the entrance booths.

    There is a "tent-only area" which is nice and abuts a paved road for campers to walk / bike to the beach. Use this. Stay off the main road to the beach if you can. The speed limit is enforced, but sporadically. The fines are very stiff (you receive a State traffic ticket from the Officer).

    This beach road leads you to a wonderful overlook where lots of people take their kids crabbing for Blueshells. There are size regulations so be careful. The regs are posted. Bring some raw chicken wings and kite string and have some fun. You can also follow the signs that will lead you to nature walks. Amazing.

    During inclement weather some campers leave the park. We always recommend taking a right out of the park onto east bound Route 156. Follow into downtown Niantic for restaurants, an Irish pub, or a movie. Nice village area, and pedestrian friendly.

    Rocky Neck is a very nice park, and if I had to list one complaint, it is that the State is in a financial tight-spot, and has been cutting services and personnel. Entrance booths go unmanned and that leads to traffic jams that extend out and onto the main road. Very , very messy. Life guard towers at the beach are empty at times. Bath houses can be filthy.

    All things considered, I would recommend this park..

  • Ryan A.
    May. 21, 2024

    Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    Good Location for Hiking, Lots of Garbage, Not Recommended

    Camped here on a Friday night in Site 16, yet another campground recommended in“Best Tent Camping: New England.” Overall I was not impressed. The campsites are right next to each other and are marked with posts. The sites are so close that the posts are marked with the site number on both sides which tells me that there has been confusion in the past.

    The sites along the creek mostly have worn paths to walk to it but it’s nothing impressive and I wouldn’t want to eat fish that came out of it. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, some have the kind where the top flips over and others have the moveable grate that goes up and down. There is a large dumpster in the campground and several porta-potties. The old outhouses have been permanently closed and locked shut. My campsite had a lot of trash in it, old tent stakes, plastic bottle caps, plastic fork, broken glass, etc. Not good.

    Some of the people there were camping in a group and were blasting music. I didn’t see a single park ranger the entire night so I’m not sure how often they police it. Someone in a pickup truck came into the campground, did a u-turn, and sped out at 30 mph which was really annoying and unsafe.

    Across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls, which will take less than 10 minutes to hike to, but it’s a pretty waterfall despite all the foam and garbage around it.

    This is a pretty basic campground and is nothing special. Out of all the sites I think 22 looked the best, it is more isolated and you can hear the waterfalls from it, which would be relaxing. The downside is that it’s right next to the entrance and road so you’ll get car headlights at night.

    I woke in the morning to a gray sky and hundreds of birds singing– it was my favorite part of the trip. I delayed getting up to enjoy the moment. I also didn’t see any ticks but I’m sure there are plenty based on other reviews.

    I’ve always thought that if states were condiments Connecticut would be mayonnaise– relatively unremarkable and bland. This campground fits that description perfectly.

  • Katherine P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park

    A Cozy Spot

    We stayed here in August 2020.

    This is a really interesting campground that's situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park.  Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope.)

    There's space near the platform that is flat-ish with a picnic and a fire pit.  Some of these are better than others, ours was not that flat, but we made it work. You get a pretty decent view of Rudd Pond, and the sunsets are pretty. There is also a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park. There's a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals.

    The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors. It was close to half full when we were there, and it still felt like a fairly noisy campground, even after quiet hours. 

    My one complaint in these covid times is that compared to the NY-DEC campground we stayed at, I felt that the safety measures were less adhered to here. They had signs asking people to wear masks in the bathroom building, but far fewer people were. I also didn't see the staff do any cleaning of the restrooms while we were there - the paper towels ran out at one point and I had to flag the staff down to get them to go take care of that.  

    Still, I thought it was a really cute place to stay, and I think we would stay here again.

  • Amanda S.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park

    Great price

    This is basic dry camping it is fun but there is no electric or water at the sites o LU in the bathhouse. So if you get a site close the the bathhouse you will have water close by and electricity close. Otherwise it’s dry camping.. the platform sites are great it makes it real easy to set up a tent because of the platform that the tent goes on and the lake is ok. The kids don’t like swimming with fish so we didn’t spend much time at the lake

  • J
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    Pleasant campground, litter was a drawback

    Came in on MetroNorth from NYC then took a pre-arranged taxi ($25 flat rate) to the campground. Check-in was fast at the registration desk, and they sold bundles of wood for$6. 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. The site was littered with small pieces of trash and there was a folding chair someone left open beside the firepit when we arrived... not ideal. 

    However, the site itself was solid- it is surrounded by forest, and is at the top of a small ridge above Pelton Pond, so there was a pretty consistent breeze (few bugs!) and the soft sounds of bullfrogs at night. A tree with a couple medium-size dead limbs was above the ideal place to pitch the tent. The site comes with a picnic table (it was in OK shape) and a fire ring with removable grate, as well as a standing-level charcoal BBQ grill. This site and several others on the opposite (west) side of Pelton Pond had easy access to the 1.5 mile Pelton Pond hike loop. There was plenty of dry kindling around the site, which was a huge help because the wood bought from the Park hissed and didn't really get burning (damp wood? fresh cut?). 

    The park rangers told us the plumbing had been re-done in the past year, so the water fountains and water spigots were in great shape and provided cold, clear water. The bathrooms were clean and well-kept (saw toilet bowl cleaner in the morning), no stalls ran out of toilet paper, and there was soap most of the time at the sinks. We did not use the showers, so can't speak to those. There are even dish washing sinks available with hot running water. 

    We walked 20 min from our site to the beach across the 2-lane highway. The lake is clear and sandy (some rocks in sand on shore, but standard for imported sand), and many families seemed to have traveled up for a day trip. There are facilities and a small grill (burgers, popsicles, etc.) at the beach. 

    Overall, the campsite was pleasant and it was peaceful during quiet hours (10pm-7am) on both Friday and Saturday nights. Removing one star for the lack of care at the site itself (litter, trash around when we arrived) and the poor firewood quality. I would recommend this campground to those looking for a quick trip out of the city, to people new to camping, or to use as a base to explore the Hudson River Valley if you have a personal vehicle.

  • Becca Z.
    Aug. 29, 2020

    White Pines Campsites

    Clean Campsites

    We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site. A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand.

    The picnic table was chained down so there weren’t many options to set up having the fire pit and picnic table where they were.

    Hiking trails were nice, good variety of easier and more difficult terrain.


Guide to Bristol

Tent camping near Bristol, Connecticut centers around wooded and water-based experiences within a 25-mile radius. The region features elevations ranging from 200 to 800 feet above sea level with typically humid summers reaching 85°F and winter lows regularly dropping below freezing. Most camping options remain seasonal with closures from November through April due to snow and freezing conditions.

What to do

Hiking trails access: At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, campers can explore over 40 miles of marked trails suitable for all skill levels. "There are over 40 miles of trails in this area. Would definitely recommend for those who want to camp near NYC but not drive too far," notes Ethan K.

River activities: The Connecticut River provides paddling and swimming opportunities at Gillette Castle State Park Campground. "We have camped on the south end of Hurd Park several times via boat access. It is amazing with the views of the CT River and being able to watch the sunrise and sunset," states Jackie G.

Wildlife observation: Early morning wildlife watching yields deer, turkey, and various bird species throughout the region. "At low tide, a couple of beaches emerge to play on," explains Jason S. about Selden Neck State Park.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer widely spaced campsites that reduce noise from neighbors. One camper at Chapman Pond Preserve describes it as a "middle of nowhere site" with "good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view."

Shelter options: Some campgrounds offer alternatives to standard tent camping. "The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather," writes Ethan K. about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Peaceful settings: Many campers value the quiet atmosphere. Ricky H. describes Onion Mountain Park as having "very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required. Small campsite, first come first served basis."

What you should know

Access limitations: Some sites require specific transportation methods. "Selden Neck State Park is an island in the Connecticut River with no roads or development other than 4 campsites. You have to kayak or boat in," explains Jason S.

Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in the area require in-person booking. "There is no phone or internet reservations and has to be made in person at the office," notes Anil S. about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Site variations: Campsite quality and amenities vary significantly within the same campground. "The camping sites are very different so it's useful to go in person and select the area," advises Susana M.

Weather considerations: River fog can affect morning departures from water-access sites. "In the morning, we were completely socked in with fog which would have been an issue if we had to get back early. But it burned off before long," reports a camper at Selden Neck State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly locations: Some sites specifically cater to new campers. "My BSA troop has been going here for years to help new scouts learn to camp. It is a very casual site and good for your first trip, you are close to your car and the road in case you need it," shares Marshall S. about Onion Mountain Park.

Comfort station distance: Consider bathroom proximity when camping with children. "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," notes Ming R.

Bug preparation: Some campgrounds have significant insect activity. "The outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this)," warns Alicia B. at River Highlands State Park River Campground.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most camping near Bristol focuses on tent camping with minimal RV accommodations. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent," advises Nora S.

Year-round availability: Some sites accommodate off-season camping. "They have great sights and are open all year round. I've stayed in hammocks, tents, leantos, and even did a good share of car camping," shares Paul R. about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Store proximity: Plan for limited nearby supplies. "Stores are not near by and had to drive into Bedford to grab food items and camping necessities," mentions Anil S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bristol, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bristol, CT is Onion Mountain Park with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bristol, CT?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Bristol, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.