Camping near Collinsville, Connecticut offers options within Connecticut's northwest hills, where elevations range from 400-500 feet at river valleys to over 1,000 feet at nearby peaks. The region features a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, typically with warm summers from June through September, when most campgrounds operate. Water-based recreation is common due to the proximity of the Farmington River.
What to Do
Fishing the Farmington River: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides direct river access for anglers. According to one camper at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, it's an "Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots."
Nearby hiking trails: Onion Mountain Park offers primitive camping combined with hiking opportunities. A camper at Onion Mountain Park noted, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night... Overall a very good camping trip, and we highly recommend it."
Visit neighboring towns: The Collinsville area connects to several historic New England towns worth visiting. A visitor to Austin Hawes Memorial Campground mentioned the local resources: "The Pleasant Valley General Store down the road is great. Provides everything you need in addition to live bait and even a rod and reel to purchase if you forget yours! We also recommend the General Store nearby in Riverton! Great place to have lunch!"
Swimming options: Black Rock State Park Campground includes lake swimming opportunities during summer months. A review of Black Rock State Park Campground mentioned its amenities: "The campground also has a lake for swimming, trails for hiking, and some nice quiet areas for fishing."
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between campsites at certain locations. A visitor to Austin Hawes Memorial Campground wrote: "If you like nice big private sites, peace and quiet while providing a great location for fishing and hiking (Henry Buck Trail) then this is your kind of place."
Cell service limitations: Some campers appreciate the digital detox opportunity. A reviewer at White Pines Campsites mentioned: "Last but not least - no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it."
Access to rivers: Waterfront sites receive consistently positive feedback. One camper at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground noted: "We had a great time, very friendly stuff. We stayed right on the river side, No hook up, but they have a dump station."
Family-friendly environments: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. A visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground shared: "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
What You Should Know
Bug preparation: Insects can be abundant, particularly in wooded areas. A camper at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground warned: "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!"
Site selection considerations: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. A visitor to Bear Creek Campground noted: "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."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. White Pines Campsites operates from "April 16 to Columbus Day weekend," while Prospect Mountain Campground runs from "May 1 to Columbus Day."
Wildlife awareness: Various wildlife sightings are reported at campgrounds. A camper at Bear Creek Campground observed: "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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities: Some locations offer specific amenities for children. According to a visitor at Lone Oak Camp Sites: "We loved this campground! Big fun for kids and adults. Two big pools, store, bar for adults with live entertainment. Tons of kids activities going on all day."
Consider pool depth for young swimmers: Pool designs vary between campgrounds. A reviewer at Cozy Hills Campground shared: "The pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids."
Pack for terrain challenges: Some campgrounds feature significant elevation changes. A visitor to Cozy Hills Campground advised: "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Check proximity to attractions: Several campgrounds offer easy access to area attractions. One Lone Oak Camp Sites visitor mentioned: "There's a full bar with adult only dancing up stairs in the lounge Saturday nights, and a DJ playing dance music for the younger crowed down stairs. The pools are beautiful, great store and the activities are plenty."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup locations: Site layouts can create challenges for some RVs. A Bear Creek Campground visitor noted: "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor."
Verify power requirements: Electrical service varies between campgrounds and specific sites. A reviewer at Lone Oak Camp Sites advised: "Be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies."
Consider site access and terrain: Some campgrounds have challenging roads or tight turns. A camper at Gentiles Campground reported: "Roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs. Very wooded area, looked like mostly full timers living there."
