Camping spots near Farmington, Connecticut include secluded riverside sites and family-friendly facilities across the Farmington River Valley. Located in central Connecticut with elevations ranging from 250-700 feet, the region experiences moderate seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Winter camping options are limited with most facilities closing between October and May.
What to do
Fishing access: Black Rock State Park Campground offers quality fishing opportunities with multiple access points. "Beautiful state park, very clean.. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers.. stores within a 5 minute drive," notes a visitor who recommends exploring the nearby area including "Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, Tory's Den, and Buttermilk Falls."
Hiking trails: Onion Mountain Park provides primitive camping with trail access. "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 but has a firepit already set up," a camper advises about the hiking-accessible sites.
Amusement park access: Lake Compounce Campground connects directly to Lake Compounce Amusement Park. "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 camper, while another adds "This is an interesting camp ground... adjacent to an amusement park."
What campers like
River access: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. "Nice campground, semi private. The sites are spread out enough but you're not completely alone. You hear a lot of cars going by if you're at a site that backs up to the main road," notes one visitor, while another states "Fantastic campground not too far from New York. Super quiet, private campgrounds nestled in the trees, right on a river."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the bathrooms and showers at Cozy Hills Campground. "Clean. Well run campground. Beautiful area. Fishing on site. Crafts and events. Great camp store and grill and hot food," reports one visitor. Another notes that "Very nice facilities. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community."
Beach proximity: Hammonasset State Park Campground provides direct beach access. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need," says one camper who visits annually. Another mentions "You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially in summer. At Hammonasset State Park, "The camp sites do fill up FAST over the summer up until school starts back up so if you plan to camp, BOOK AHEAD!"
Noise levels: Campground atmospheres vary significantly. At White Pines Campsites, "Night fell and the place turned into Margaritaville. The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place and while some have tasteful decor and lights, others not so much. Even 50 yards away from the RV section and I felt like I was in a dance club parking lot."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the region. One camper at White Pines noted, "Also beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours."
Cell service: Connectivity varies by location. Branch Brook Campground offers "Better wi-fi than most campgrounds. My wife and I both were able to work with mostly no issues, though there were some situations where it would go out."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Cozy Hills Campground features a family-friendly swimming pool. "The pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," reports one visitor, while another adds "Pool was nice and clean but a little cold."
Campground activities: Many locations offer organized events. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park," mentions a visitor to Lake Compounce Campground, while at Cozy Hills, a reviewer notes "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc."
Site privacy considerations: Family camping spots vary in seclusion. At Black Rock State Park Campground, "There are a variety of sites available, from open field sites to more wooded and private areas." Meanwhile, at Cozy Hills, one camper notes "The only downside was the real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw. It was more like staying in a summer cottage colony."
Tips for RVers
Hook-up availability: Lake Compounce Campground provides electric and water. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park. However the tent spots are small and close together," notes a visitor. Another reports "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded."
Dump station access: Several campgrounds provide sanitary dumps but lack full hookups. At Lake Compounce, "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out," while one reviewer at Austin Hawes Memorial notes "We stayed right on the river side, No hook up, but they have a dump station."
Site spacing: Site configurations impact RV camping experience. At White Pines Campsites, "The sites are good size and seemed well laid out," while at Branch Brook Campground, "Spaces were decent sized. We were in site 16 and it was on the creek which was a decent view and gave us plenty of space to sit outside."
