Glamping and camping options around Collinsville, Connecticut range from basic tent sites to RV lots with full hookups. Located in the Farmington River Valley at approximately 300 feet elevation, the area features rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests that transform during fall foliage season. Temperatures typically range from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer, with camping season running from April through October at most locations.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Wilderness Lake Park, guests can access newly developed hiking paths without leaving the property. A camper noted, "There was a hiking trail on the property and the host mentioned they were building a Disc Golf course on the property." For more challenging terrain, explore nearby Taylor Pond from Wilderness Lake as one reviewer mentioned, "Taylor Pond is not far and a great hike to bring both kids and pets."
Swimming options: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers swimming across from the campground. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones," explains one camper. For better swimming conditions, visitors recommend: "If you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road."
Fishing experiences: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities with varying regulations. One visitor to Lone Oak Camp Sites highlighted, "There is a hiking trail with some gorgeous views once you get to the top." The campground also features multiple water activities, with a reviewer noting that "There are many ways to camp at Lone Oaks. Tenting to a RV, very family friendly... The pools are beautiful."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Bear Creek Campground at Lake Compounce offers variety in camping spots. According to a camper: "They have cabins, teepee and tent sites. This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother." Another visitor appreciated the layout: "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain varying levels of facility cleanliness. A visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park praised the upkeep: "When we arrived to check in they were very nice and gave us the breakdown of the place along with brochures of what was going on at the site. We arrived to our site, it was by the pond and our site was even raked clean."
Wildlife encounters: Nature observation opportunities abound in the area's campgrounds. Campers report seeing various wildlife, including deer, frogs, and occasionally bears. One visitor to Bear Creek noted: "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted... I hear coyotes. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning."
What you should know
Cash-only policies: Some campgrounds require cash payment. At Wilderness Lake Park, a visitor advised: "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared." Similarly, Lake Waramaug sells "Ice at $2 a bag and firewood $5 a bundle. Cash only. Good quality."
Varying bathroom conditions: Facilities quality can differ significantly between campgrounds. At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, "Bathroom facilities are adequate." The park also offers "2 lIfeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have poor or no cell reception. One Lake Waramaug camper observed: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds organize regular activities for children. At Brialee Family Campground, one visitor reported: "The campground offers activities pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy. Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs."
Kid-friendly amenities: When glamping near Collinsville, Connecticut with children, select campgrounds with appropriate facilities. A visitor to Prospect Mountain noted: "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
Noise considerations: Campground noise levels vary significantly by location and day of week. At Lake Waramaug, a regular visitor recommended: "I would never camp here on a weekend.... it is a party place then. True, the people who work there have lots of arbitrary rules but they don't follow through on the important ones like drinking and quiet times."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RV sites vary greatly in size, privacy, and orientation. At White Pines Campsites, a visitor noted: "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."
Hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full RV hookups. A Bear Creek camper advised: "No. One. Ever. Showed. Up. We waited an hour and then we just started cleaning it up ourselves so we could move on and get started on dinner." Regarding utilities, another noted: "It is adjacent to an amusement park... None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
Seasonal considerations: RV camping availability changes with seasons. October Mountain State Forest Campground welcomes RVs but has important limitations: "For some, the strange people who haunt certain grounds are a plus... The bathrooms are cleeean as hail, and this place is really well-appointed... They even have a big ole nice sink to wash your dirty dishes."
