125 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Gaylordsville, Connecticut span both state parks and privately managed facilities across western Connecticut's Housatonic Valley region, with options ranging from full-hookup RV sites and cabin rentals to primitive tent camping alongside mountain streams. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with lakefront access, while Macedonia Brook State Park provides more primitive camping experiences alongside mountain streams. Several facilities include Cozy Hills Campground and Housatonic Meadows State Park, with options ranging from well-developed sites with full hookups to more rustic experiences.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from late May through early September or mid-October. "No cell service at Macedonia Brook State Park," noted one camper, highlighting the remote nature of some locations. Reservations are generally required, with many state parks booking through Connecticut's reservation system. Camping areas range from riverside locations to hillside settings, with varying amenities across locations. Some campgrounds have limited bathroom facilities—Macedonia Brook features only portable toilets and water pumps, while others offer showers and electric hookups. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the valley, particularly during summer thunderstorms.
The camping experience varies significantly between weekdays and weekends at many locations. According to feedback, "Macedonia State Park is a lovely little spot to camp. I stayed there for a night and it was very quiet and very safe." Several reviews indicate that Lake Waramaug becomes considerably more crowded on weekends with a "party atmosphere" compared to peaceful weekday stays. Wildlife encounters are common, with multiple reviews mentioning skunks at Lake Waramaug. Campgrounds near water, such as those along the Housatonic River or Lake Waramaug, provide opportunities for fishing, swimming and paddling. Nearby attractions include hiking trails within the parks themselves, with Macedonia Brook offering mountain loop trails and Steep Rock Association maintaining riverside paths. The region's rural character means most campgrounds are removed from conveniences, requiring campers to bring necessary supplies.
"My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."
"One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges place is clean it has running water has a porta potty and festival you don't have to worry because the state of Connecticut"
"Our camp spot was right above the river the flows behind this spot. You can go sit down by the water. But be careful!"
from $14 / night
Check Availability"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there."
"We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
from $72 - $122 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"While there are no rules about who can camp there, during thru-hiking season, consideration should be made for folks who rely on places like this during a long distance hike."
"Tall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane."
"The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "
"Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Less then 10 min drive from town, but hiking in and finding a suitable place to make camp has the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service."
ScoutI was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy. Had smoke from the Canadian Wildfire which made for a good sunset
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
TravelerPeople are super friendly and helpful. Campground is well maintained and very secure. RV site was very large and mostly level. Good location. Close to Hudson River and Albany.
TravelerWe arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
TravelerI called as we were 3 hours away for a spot for the night. The lady who answered was amazing and asked everything to pick us the right spot. We showed up after hours and found our spot. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. Bathrooms were extremely clean! I recommend this spot to everyone! Well worth it!
GuideTall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane. The campground is landscaped and maintained beautifully. the highlight is the river, ever-present in sound. The primo sites are on the northern end , where most sites are right on the water, and just a small descent. Bathrooms are good, not great. Showers are push button automatic, water was warm. We have a small RV, the dump site is up the main road about a 1/2 mile in a turnout. Free for campers, on your honor. At office were college aged young men and women in very casual street clothes all very nice, and mannerly, but not very knowledgeable, and hard to believe they could handle an adverse situation. I asked for the soap to be filled in the mens room on Thursday afternoon at 4 and it was still not done at noon the next day. -it’s a 2 minute walk from the office. I asked about a hike, they told me a trail head was a mile up the road. We found a spur directly across the street. I miss real docents, with knowledge, and wearing the garb. All sites not directly on the river side have paths down to get there. Did a nice little moderate hike just across the street called Pine Knob. Nice vista, quick 760ft ascent, combines withe AT for a length, then back down total 3 miles the way we did it. Some nice restaurants in Kent. Found a good breakfast in Goshen. We’ll be going back.
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
GuideA really nice campground for tenters and dry campers. No hookups, but decent bathrooms, lukewarm showers and well kept. The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods. The only negative is Route 7, which gets busy in the mornings, and at rush hours, but quiets down at night. Not a busy highway to begin with, but a major route. A good up and down hike right across the street, 760 ft ascent in a mile or so, 3 mile loop, you see AT through hikers on the portion of the combined trail. There is a drinking water tap you can hook a hose to for filling your RV, or jugs. No dump station. We had our class B here. Sites mostly level. Come during the week for better privacy. Supposedly fly fisherman come on weekends. Cute cabins for rent in a awesome location.
GuideFirst off the cons the train at 130 am is wonderful to get woken up to 2nd the sites are on top of each other 3 not many level sites didnt hear the buzzing at all no daddy long legs but ticks let's talk about how many ticks I got in the park I pulled 7 off of me in 5 nights at that park
The Gaylordsville area sits at the junction of the Housatonic and Tenmile Rivers in western Connecticut, with elevations ranging between 300-500 feet. Camping options in this region follow the natural contours of the Housatonic Valley, with both riverfront and hillside campsite locations available throughout late spring and early fall. Campers should prepare for variable water levels at riverside campsites near Gaylordsville, Connecticut, especially after summer rainfall.
Fly fishing excursions: The Housatonic River near Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with trout being a common catch. "The fishing, peace and quiet of the place was exactly what we needed! Tons of birdwatching, hiking, river floating... the scenery is mesmerizing," reports Chris A.
Rock climbing practice: At Macedonia Brook State Park Campground, children can test their climbing skills on natural rock formations. "There is a really cool big rock to climb on near the bathrooms further away from the office," notes one visitor from Lake Waramaug who sought additional activities.
Bird watching: Early mornings at Ten Mile River Shelter present opportunities to spot local birds in their natural habitat. During migration seasons (April-May and September-October), the variety increases significantly. Bring binoculars for best viewing opportunities.
Night sky observation: Clear nights at Macedonia Brook offer exceptional stargazing due to minimal light pollution. "Being forced to put away the devices is heaven in my mind," writes one Lake Waramaug camper about the poor cell service that makes star viewing better.
Privacy between sites: At Cozy Hills Campground, the campsite layout provides a sense of separation. "Sites are HUGE," notes a camper who stayed at Housatonic Meadows. While some campgrounds have closely spaced sites, at Macedonia Brook, campsites are "well spaced sites," according to Kate.
Swimming options: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers swimming access, though some visitors note limitations. "The swim area is marginal—best for little ones," explains G Y., who has been visiting for over 20 years. Some campers find alternative swimming spots: "If you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road."
Riverfront camping: Several campsites at Housatonic Meadows sit directly along the river. "We booked 14. It was a Saturday afternoon, and it was NOT full," writes Chris A. about their July visit, noting how uncrowded it was compared to other areas. Macedonia Brook campsites also offer water proximity: "We camped next to the brook and one couldn't have had a much better experience," shares Ford S.
Clean facilities: Most Gaylordsville area campgrounds maintain their amenities well. At Cozy Hills Campground, visitors note "clean, well maintained camping" with "fresh wood chips and groomed gravel." A reviewer named Jon R. appreciated that "most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals."
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds near Gaylordsville operate from late May through early September only. At Freedom Farm Homestead, limited spots (20 sites total) mean summer weekends fill quickly.
Bathroom variations: Facilities range significantly between campgrounds. Macedonia Brook features "no bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps," while at Cozy Hills, campers appreciate the "clean private bathrooms." One Lake Waramaug visitor warned: "Our trip of 7/27-28 showed everything was fine" regarding bathrooms that had previous issues.
Water safety concerns: Lake Waramaug sometimes experiences water quality issues. One visitor at nearby Kettletown State Park Campground noted: "No swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom," a common late-summer concern in Connecticut lakes.
Cell coverage limitations: Service varies dramatically by location. Macedonia Brook has "no cell service," while at Freedom Farm, signal strength depends on carrier. A Kettletown camper mentioned that "quiet, clean, and exactly what we were looking for" included limited connectivity.
Best sites for children: At Lake Waramaug, G Y. notes: "This park is remote from all conveniences—pack it in or expect a drive." However, another camper found it "has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!"
Kid-friendly swimming: Cozy Hills Campground offers a "pool is nice and clean but a little cold. The pool is very nice for families—with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," explains Ann S., who appreciated the safety features.
Family activities: Structured programming varies by campground. At Cozy Hills, they offer "lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc." For outdoor activities, Kettletown has "a field that would be good for flying kites, model airplanes or drones behind the state park parking lot."
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campgrounds report animal visitors. "We have also seen a bear eating food from the dumpster at Housatonic Meadows," reports Dawn D., reinforcing the importance of proper food storage. At Lake Waramaug, one camper advised: "Leave no trace is important—it keeps the unwelcome wildlife out."
Site accessibility: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground accommodates larger rigs but requires advance research. "This park can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance," advises Asher K. Site selection is particularly important as "after several visits we have finally found our favorite site."
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary widely between campgrounds. At Lake Waramaug, one camper noted they "were the only trailer in the park," suggesting limited RV facilities despite being technically RV-accessible.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain can present difficulties for RVs. At Kettletown, one visitor noted their site "while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over." At Cozy Hills, "it's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gaylordsville, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gaylordsville, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 125 campgrounds and RV parks near Gaylordsville, CT and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gaylordsville, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gaylordsville, CT is Lake Waramaug State Park Campground with a 3.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gaylordsville, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Gaylordsville, CT.
What parks are near Gaylordsville, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Gaylordsville, CT that allow camping, notably Northfield Brook Lake and Hop Brook Lake.
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