Glamping and camping options near Easton, Connecticut include well-established sites across southern Connecticut and neighboring New York counties. The region contains both rural wooded areas and coastal landscapes, with elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 750 feet in the more northern hills. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with limited year-round facilities due to the cold, snowy New England winters.
What to do
Lake activities: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground provides opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing. According to one visitor, "Great little park. Lots of fishing, swimming, and overall fun. A main road does separate the camp sites from the water so it is important to look after little ones. Great biking in the area as well."
Hiking trails: White Pines Campsites features hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. "Hiking trails were nice, good variety of easier and more difficult terrain," notes a camper. The trails wind through wooded areas and offer day-length explorations.
Amusement park access: Lake Compounce Campground provides direct access to Lake Compounce Amusement Park. A visitor mentions, "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here." This offers a distinctive combination of camping and amusement park entertainment.
Beach activities: Smith Point County Park features oceanfront access. "Close sites with no privacy. Short walk to beach," notes one reviewer. Another adds: "Great first experience. Had onsite bathrooms and showers that were clean. 1 minute walk over the dune to the Atlantic ocean."
What campers like
Military-only facilities: West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area serves active military and veterans. "We've been coming here for at least 13 years. We love that its a place specifically for Vets and active Military. everyone is amazingly respectful of each other and the caretakers take such care of the grounds," shares one veteran camper.
Proximity to New York City: Wildwood State Park Campground provides a convenient escape from urban areas. "My wife and I love this campground. It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)," reports one reviewer. Another adds: "The North Shore and South Shore are pretty different. This site gives you the North Shore experience with high bluffs, sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound."
Clean facilities: Riverdale Farm Campsites maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," notes a camper. Another visitor adds, "Decent location, not overrun with seasonal campers. We stayed for 3 nights, kids loved the area and playground."
What you should know
Site cleanliness issues: White Pines Campsites sometimes has maintenance challenges. "Upon arrival, I liked the atmosphere and friendly service but our site was filthy. A bag of dog poop by a tree, trash under the picnic table, cigarette butts littering the rocks around the fire pit," reports one camper.
Wildlife encounters: Bears appear at multiple campgrounds. One visitor to Lake Compounce noted, "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning."
Seasonal operation: Most glamping and camping options near Easton operate from spring through fall. Indian Island County Park stands out as year-round, offering winter camping options when most other facilities close for the season.
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Lake Waramaug, "Yes, 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
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. At Riverdale Farm Campsites, "Great Value and Nice Family owned business. The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."
Activity options: Bear Creek Campground at Lake Compounce offers organized recreation. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park," notes a reviewer. This provides structured entertainment for children beyond typical camping activities.
Space considerations: Site layouts vary significantly. "The tent spots are small and close together. Also there is only one set of facilities for the whole place. It's quite a walk to the bathrooms," warns a visitor to Bear Creek Campground, important information for families with small children who need frequent bathroom access.
Noise levels: Be prepared for varying quiet hours enforcement. At Lake Waramaug, one camper observed: "Quiet hours are not enforced. Two cars per site is not enforced. Loud Boomboxes are the norm." This is crucial information for families seeking restful evenings with young children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Wildwood State Park Campground offers full hookups. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," shares one RV camper. Another adds: "Sites had water, electric and sewer hookups at each site."
Site levelness: Lake Compounce Campground provides well-designed RV spaces. One RVer notes, "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded. Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
Dump station access: Some campgrounds lack sewer hookups. "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," reports one RVer about Riverdale Farm Campsites, important information for planning longer stays.