Burlington area campgrounds offer access to outdoor recreation in northwestern Connecticut with elevation ranging from 820 to 950 feet. May through October marks the primary camping season, with moderate temperatures from 55-85°F during summer months. The region's mix of state parks and private campgrounds provides options along the Farmington River and nearby lakes.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: Taconic State Park's Rudd Pond area connects to a network of hiking trails. "There is a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park," notes a visitor at Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park.
Lake activities: Lake Taghkanic State Park offers water recreation on a clean lake. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," reports a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies away from urban light pollution make for excellent stargazing conditions. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," according to a reviewer at Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Fishing spots: Multiple ponds and lakes offer fishing throughout the region. "There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water. There is a lot of hiking in the area - def check out Bash Bish Falls!" mentions a visitor to Rudd Pond Area.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds feature raised wooden platforms for tents. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" explains a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Clean shower facilities: Modern bathroom facilities receive positive mentions. "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," reports a Lake Taghkanic visitor.
Pond views: Waterfront sites provide scenic camping locations. "The site was by the pond and our site was even raked clean," notes a camper at Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park.
Weekend activities: Organized events happen regularly at family-focused campgrounds. "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides," shares a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground.
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Campsite spacing and privacy differ significantly between campgrounds. "Almost all of the sites offered privacy.... Even when the campground was full," notes a Clarence Fahnestock visitor.
Beach capacity limits: During peak summer weekends, swimming areas may reach capacity. "On July 4th, my partner and I tried to go to the beach but were told it was at capacity at 3 different points throughout the day," warns another Clarence Fahnestock camper.
Cell reception challenges: Many campers report limited connectivity at certain campgrounds. "Cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Sturbridge.
Campfire restrictions: Some RV parks prohibit open fires. Totoket Valley RV Park in North Branford does not allow campfires, making it unsuitable for campers seeking traditional campfire experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and pools: Choose campgrounds with recreational amenities. "Great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'. Kids had a blast!" reports a Prospect Mountain Campground visitor.
Rainy day options: Look for campgrounds with indoor facilities. "Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," notes a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Accessible swimming: Some campgrounds feature beach areas designed for families. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground," mentions another Lake Taghkanic visitor.
Themed weekends: Many campgrounds schedule family activities. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides," shares a Prospect Mountain visitor.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through access: For easier parking, select campgrounds with pull-through sites. "Many pull-thru sites, maybe 20 back ins on a pond. Nice staff, nice pool & facilities. Also, this is open year round," notes a visitor to Aces High RV Park.
Utility hookup quality: Check reviews for information about electrical service reliability. "Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should (other parks should come and take a look at how to do this right)," shares another Aces High RV Park camper.
Site spacing: Some RV parks offer more space between sites than others. "Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors. Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it," reports an Aces High visitor.
Leveling considerations: Site conditions vary across the region. "Spaces were large enough for RV. NO privacy, but tent sites were ok," notes a visitor to Lake Compounce Campground, which offers full hookup RV sites from May through October.
