Glamping options within 30 miles of Cornwall, Connecticut range from rustic to full-service accommodations across the Litchfield Hills region. The area sits at elevations between 700-1,250 feet with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. During peak summer camping season, nighttime temperatures typically drop to 55-65°F even when daytime highs reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Hiking trails with specific destinations: Taconic State Park offers access to Bash Bish Falls through a short trail system. As one camper noted, "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible."
Watercraft activities on multiple lakes: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provides water recreation for various skill levels. "Lake Taghkanic State Park was not a long drive from NYC, maybe 2 hours. The campsite was very clean and maintained. We loved the hot showers after a long day of fishing and swimming in the lake," writes one visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The rural location offers excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper at Lake Taghkanic mentioned, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Despite being rustic, many campsites maintain good facilities. A visitor to White Pines Campsites shared, "The folks in the office/store were incredibly friendly and helpful. Looking forward to going back later in the season."
Varied accommodation options: Sites range from basic tent platforms to full-service RV spots. At October Mountain State Forest Campground, "The campground has 3 sections, located on different tiers of a hill. The lower level has RV sites, middle has tent sites, and upper has a few yurts. Each level has a bath house."
Seasonal entertainment: Many campgrounds offer structured activities during peak season. A camper at Lone Oak Camp Sites commented, "There's a full bar with adult only dancing up stairs in the lounge Saturday nights, and a DJ playing dance music for the younger crowed down stairs."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Privacy levels differ dramatically between campgrounds and specific sites. One camper at October Mountain State Forest Campground advised, "What site you get makes all the difference. There are many, I would say most, sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Wildlife encounters are common: Bears and smaller animals frequent many campgrounds. A visitor to White Pines noted, "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours. I'm sure they are fed well."
Weekday vs. weekend experiences: Campgrounds transform dramatically between weekdays and weekends. At Lake Waramaug, a regular camper advised, "If you go during the week the place is a ghost town. I would never camp here on a weekend.... it is a party place then."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for different ages: Many campgrounds offer kid-friendly swimming areas. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "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."
Themed camping options: Some sites cater specifically to families with entertainment. A visitor to Jellystone Park noted, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Group-friendly sites: Several campgrounds accommodate multi-family trips. At White Pines, one camper explained, "We camped here with a group of friends - about a dozen in all. It was easy to coordinate with the staff to get a few tent sites and a cabin in close distance."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric service can be inconsistent between sites at some campgrounds. A visitor to Lone Oak observed, "Be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies."
Dump station availability: Not all glamping locations close to Cornwall, Connecticut have full sewer hookups. At Lake Compounce Campground, "No sewer hookups, but there is a dump station on the way out. The staff were very friendly and they had some activities like bingo and corn hole the weekend we were there."
Site orientation considerations: Some RV sites position campers facing each other. As one Lake Compounce visitor explained, "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor."
