Camping sites near Brooklyn, Connecticut offer varied landscapes with elevations ranging from 200 to 600 feet above sea level. The region's waterways, including the Natchaug and Quinebaug rivers, provide natural borders for many campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during the day, dropping to 60-65°F at night, creating comfortable camping conditions from late spring through early fall.
What to do
River activities: Brialee Family Campground offers excellent water recreation opportunities with its swimming lake, canoeing lake, and pool. "Deep in the woods. Great variety of activities. Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field," notes a visitor. The grounds provide both wooded and open field sites for diverse camping preferences.
Fishing: West Thompson Lake Campground features catch-and-release fishing in the lake, though swimming isn't permitted. A visitor mentioned, "There are plenty of hiking trails that we have yet to explore, but from the trail heads they look very well maintained." The campground is situated in a rural, quiet part of Connecticut with convenient grocery access less than 2 miles away.
Disc golf: Visitors can enjoy a round of disc golf at West Thompson Lake Campground. "We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property. Once the boat races finished each day the camp was very quiet and peaceful," shared a recent camper. The course is accessible directly from the campground and provides an alternative recreation option when not swimming.
What campers like
River tubing: Charlie Brown Campground offers direct access to the Natchaug River for tubing. "The grounds were clean, the playground was nice, and the people were all friendly. Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built-in entertainment for the kids!" A visitor in 2024 explained that kids can tube down the river and "just hop out and walk back through the camp to start over again."
Large sites: Stateline Campresort & Cabins provides spacious camping areas with flexibility in site selection. "The sites are very well set up. You have your pick of shady sites or sites with no trees," noted a long-term visitor. Some sites overlook a pond, and the campground maintains a clean environment with amenities like boat rentals, a pool, and a game room.
Canoe sites: Hopeville Pond State Park Campground offers secluded tent-only "canoe sites" at the north end of the campground. "These are tent only. You park and walk about 100 yards to the site. There are only four sites in this secluded section of the campground. Sites CN02, CN03 and CN04 have direct waterfront on the pond. You can launch kayaks, paddle boards, etc right from the site!" This provides a more remote camping experience with water access.
What you should know
No alcohol policies: George Washington State Campground doesn't allow alcohol, but offers clean facilities and shower areas. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)," a camper shared. Staff and rangers make regular rounds to enforce rules and maintain order.
Limited hookups: Some campgrounds offer only gray water disposal with no full sewer connections. At Charlie Brown Campground, "Grey dump only due to river so no biggie. Staff was friendly and there was some stuff to do. Crafts for kids a band a wagon ride. Good place overall and great price." Most parks maintain dump stations for full tanks when leaving.
Gate restrictions: West Thompson Lake Campground has entrance gate restrictions. "Only complain is that they close the gate to enter at 9pm," one camper noted. Plan your arrival time accordingly or you may need to contact the campground staff for late entry instructions during the camping season.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Brialee Family Campground organizes regular activities for families. "They make sure the weekends are for families," one visitor commented. Another explained, "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."
Site selection: For families seeking privacy, request sites away from common areas. At Hopeville Pond, "If you are looking for privacy and quiet, I recommend the F Loop. The other loops have sites close together and it is generally quite loud during the day." This helps ensure a better night's sleep, especially with younger children.
Off-site conveniences: Many campgrounds offer nearby shopping options for forgotten items. At Charlie Brown Campground, "Walmart & Aldi's is 10-15 minutes away. Pizza places/breakfast spots in the same area as well." These conveniences can be important when camping with children who may need unexpected supplies.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park features paved parking pads that provide good leveling for RVs. "Most sites are relatively short level pads, with little or no shade, but very pleasant. We picked site 33 for the best shade and longer pad," shared a visitor. The parking pads have some overhanging branches, so check clearance requirements when selecting a site.
Utility connections: At Stateline Campresort, RV sites provide varying levels of connections. "Price is good. Not many options this part of the country," noted one RVer who stopped for a night. Their sites are set up well for recreational vehicles, with both shaded and open options available depending on your preference for sun or shade.
Campground navigation: Larger campgrounds can be confusing to navigate. At Brialee, "Fairly large campground. Tent sites available but mostly RV/Campers. WiFi in common areas isn't great so if you're planning on working during some down time, this isn't the place." Planning your site location relative to bathhouses and other amenities can minimize walking distances during your stay.
