The Connecticut Highlands surrounding Kent offers primitive camping and developed sites in a region characterized by elevation changes of 500-1200 feet along the Appalachian Mountain range foothills. The area maintains moderate temperatures even during summer, with nighttime averages dropping to 55-60°F in July and August. Campsites near Kent benefit from proximity to the Appalachian Trail corridor and multiple water features including Macedonia Brook, Bantam Lake, and the Housatonic River.
What to do
Hiking loops with elevation changes: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers challenging trails with significant elevation gain. "The loop hike over the mountains was good, at times more intermediate than beginner and I wouldn't try to go it with younger kids. We did the east side one afternoon and the west the next," notes one visitor who found the western trails less well-marked.
Riverside exploration for kids: At Macedonia Brook State Park Campground, the brook itself provides natural entertainment. "Nice campsites with little traffic. The brook was great for the kids to explore," reports one camper who appreciated the child-friendly water access.
Fishing at multiple skill levels: Point Folly Campground on Bantam Lake provides shoreline access for anglers. "The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake," notes a regular visitor who returns multiple times annually.
What campers like
True dark sky viewing: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Well spaced sites. No bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps. And a night sky as dark as you can find in CT," reports one camper who appreciated the minimal light pollution.
Midweek solitude: Many campgrounds in the area transform completely based on day of week. "While I would probably skip Macedonia on the weekends in summer since it looks like it could get packed, a little more off season and during the week it was great. Hardly anyone around, we had a site right next to the stream," notes one visitor who preferred non-peak camping.
Waterfront proximity: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground provides direct lake access. "Pros: 1. You can get a VERY large site that easily fits 3 tents. 2. The area is lovely and the people in the area are really nice too. 3. There is a lake across the street where you can paddle, swim, etc... (free to campers)," reports a regular visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Cell reception varies dramatically between campgrounds. At Macedonia Brook State Park Campground, communication options are limited. "No cell service," reports one camper, while another noted "It does have some cell service but you got a gift towards the building I believe there's a repeater or a satellite relay in the building."
Bathroom facility variations: Facilities range widely between campgrounds. Some Lake Waramaug visitors note concerns: "The bathrooms are dirty and uncared for, toilet paper is non-existent in the afternoon," while others report improvement: "There have been issues with the bathrooms off and on over the decades. It seems like they've finally fixed everything."
Wildlife encounters: Wildlife interactions are common throughout the region. One Macedonia Brook camper warns, "Be careful! As we were walking back up to our tent there was a small bear within feet from us that we almost didn't see!" while Point Folly visitors frequently mention wildlife sightings.
Tips for camping with families
Water-based activities: Cozy Hills Campground offers structured children's programming. "Very nice campground with lots of activities and things to do. Excellent Family Campground. Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids."
Fishing opportunities for children: Multiple campgrounds provide kid-friendly fishing access. "Kids caught about 20 fish. The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly," reports a Cozy Hills visitor who appreciated the varied activities for younger campers.
Campsite privacy considerations: Family camping requires space assessment. "Most sites were not wooded and provided no buffer from one to the next," notes one Cozy Hills visitor, while another appreciated that "Sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel."
Tips from RVers
Terrain challenges: Steep Rock Association provides secluded camping but with access limitations. "There are three campsites; two that require short hikes (.5 miles and .75 miles, respectively) and a third that can be driven to. Each one is far away from the others," reports a visitor who appreciated the isolation but noted the hiking requirement.
Site size variations: Many campgrounds offer limited large-vehicle access. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park visitors caution, "The road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs," while Housatonic Meadows can accommodate smaller RVs with "we used Winnebago 1700BH to block it out, and set up under the canopy of old growth pines and oaks."
