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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
