Tent campers near Durham, Connecticut have access to several riverside and woodland campsites within a 30-minute drive. The Connecticut River forms a natural corridor through the region, creating multiple water-accessible camping opportunities. Most tent sites in the area remain open from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms during July and August.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Onion Mountain Park offers peaceful primitive camping with trail access directly from tent sites. "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. It's up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take," reports camper Ricky H.
Scout training grounds: Onion Mountain Park serves as an instructional camping location for youth groups. "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 so no need for a bear bag," notes Marshall S.
Kayaking access required: Selden Neck State Park Campground requires water transportation to reach. "You have to kayak or boat in. There's a boat launch across from the island on the west side of the river at Deep River Landing where you can leave your car. It's about a 20 minute paddle across the river to the island," explains Jason S.
What campers like
Riverside tent platforms: Chapman Pond Preserve provides elevated camping surfaces above potentially damp ground. "Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view. Good site," writes Ben L. in his review of this free camping area.
Natural setting near town: Mountain Lakes Park combines wilderness camping with convenient location. "Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in. The area, as the name implies, is home to several lakes which can be used for various recreational purposes," states Ethan K.
Wildlife watching: Tent campers report frequent wildlife sightings during overnight stays. "We camped at site 2, Hogback. Plenty of flat area to pitch a tent, nice picnic table and fire pit. There's a private outhouse. At low tide, a couple of beaches emerge to play on," according to a visitor to Selden Neck State Park.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent sites near Durham provide minimal amenities. A recent review of River Highlands State Park River Campground notes: "As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this). Otherwise, it's a peaceful and scenic spot worth seeing!"
Weather considerations: Morning fog can delay water-based departures from island campsites. "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 and we headed back," reports Jason S. about camping at Selden Neck.
Site selection timing: Smaller campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "I booked site 5 for the week. Great experience! Quiet woods atmosphere with trails. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean," notes Sara R. about securing a reservation at Windmill Hill.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Onion Mountain Park works well for introducing children to camping. "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 (no group sites) but has a firepit already set up," advises Nora S.
Kid-accessible islands: Island camping proves popular with families seeking adventure. "My 5-year-old and I camped at site 2, Hogback. I haven't visited the other sites, but probably will just book this one again because it was so good. Plenty of flat area to pitch a tent, nice picnic table and fire pit," reports a parent who visited Selden Neck.
Yurt options available: Mountain Lakes Park provides alternative shelter for families new to tent camping. "A fun option available at Mountain Lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in. There are also many hikes which can be trekked straight from the campgrounds which is always a huge plus," notes one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent camping areas near Durham don't accommodate larger vehicles. "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," mentions a visitor to Onion Mountain Park, where vehicle access remains limited to the parking area.
Primitive camping dominates: Tent campers specifically seeking RV amenities should look elsewhere. "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it. No facilities that I can think of," reports Ben H. about the primitive nature of camping in the region.
