1 campground with availability this weekend
The western Connecticut landscape near Kent features multiple campground options along the Macedonia Brook and Housatonic River valleys. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground provides primitive car camping with well-spaced sites near a scenic brook, while Lake Waramaug State Park offers lakefront camping with facilities for swimming and boating. Several established campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV campers, including Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam and Freedom Farm Homestead. Steep Rock Association maintains three secluded campsites near the Shepaug River, providing a more remote experience for campers seeking solitude.
Seasonal availability typically runs from May through early October in most state park campgrounds. Macedonia Brook State Park operates from May 26 through September 4, similar to Lake Waramaug State Park, while private campgrounds like Cozy Hills maintain longer seasons from mid-April through mid-October. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many areas having limited to no coverage. Bathroom facilities range from porta-potties and water pumps at more primitive sites to showers and flush toilets at developed campgrounds. As one visitor noted, "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 campers highlight the contrasts between weekday and weekend camping experiences. State park campgrounds that feel peaceful and uncrowded during weekdays often transform into busier environments on weekends. The terrain features a mix of wooded sites along water features, with Macedonia Brook offering hiking trails over adjacent mountains. Visitors to Lake Waramaug appreciate the large sites and water access but note limited activities beyond swimming and boating. Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper reporting, "As we were walking back up to our tent there was a small bear within feet from us that we almost didn't see!" Private campgrounds generally offer more amenities including camp stores and organized activities, while state parks provide a more natural setting with basic facilities.
"We camped next to the brook and one couldn't have had a much better experience! Had supper in nearby Kent which is a fantastic small village."
"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
"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
"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
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $50 / night
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 / night
"We used White Pines as our base while exploring this part of Connecticut and it worked out really well. We spent most of Saturday away from camp and came back tired and ready for an easy evening."
"We spent most of the days checking out different spots around northwest Connecticut and came back here in the evenings. Made dinner outside, had a fire, and just relaxed."
from $50 - $62 / night
"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."
"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.  "
"Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"
"There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. Amenities are the great outdoors and an ancient bath house built during the New Deal in the 1930's."
"Firewood wasn’t available at the camp, had to drive about a mile to grab some. Close to town so easy to grab needed items."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $102 / night
ScoutLots of seasonal campers here. Some damaged trailers in a few spots just sitting there- not sure what the campsites plan is. Bathrooms clean. I saw a schedule of activities for the upcoming weekend and it looks like they offer some nice things for kids. There is a pond in the front for fishing.
ScoutBeautiful and rustic campground on the shores of Bantam Lake. I stayed in a tent site with my van. Basic setup. Nice. No activities - perfect if you are looking to unwind from it all.
ScoutLoved this rustic and quiet campground. Located at White Memorial. No hookups so perfect for people with tents or vans. No big rigs.
TravelerMike grandson and I had a fun time he enjoyed the little beach and especially the playground. The staff in the office were very nice. Bathrooms were clean but can be updates.
LegendThis campground is associated with a large amusement park. We were there in the fall when the amusement park was closed so the campground was not very busy but image it would have a very crowded feel if you were there during the summer. The RV sites are buddy sites which is never our favorite set-up (unless we are traveling with friends). Luckily, there was no one in the site next to us during our stay. The campground is big rig-friendly with roads and sites wide and long enough to accommodate any size RV; however, the road and roundabout you encounter when entering the campground is tight. There was very little traffic when we entered so navigating the entrance booth and roundabout was doable. The RV slots you pull into to check in at registration are far too short to accommodate large RVs with their tow vehicles and we ended up taking up four spaces. The tent sites are set away from the cabins and RV sites. Some are nicely tucked up against the tree line while others are in a grassy area and others are sandy nestled under some scrubby pine trees. One of the problems with the location of the tent sites is that they are far away from the bathrooms. Garbage cans are scattered throughout the campground so you don’t have to walk very far to dump your trash. There is no sewer but the electric (50-amp) worked well. There is cable but the channels were not HD so we switched to our over-the-air antenna and got great HD reception with about 60 channels. There is wifi but we could not get it at our site so we just used our Verizon hotspot (which had great reception). The water pressure is very high so we dialed our regulator back to around 45. Roads and sites are gravel. All the sites are level and have a picnic table and fire pit. We noticed that some of the fire pits needed to be cleaned out because rude campers littered them with water bottles, cans, and other garbage in the fire pits. One of the downsides is the noise from local recycling/transfer station. There is a dump station set to the side as you enter/exit. It was a little tight for us getting our 45’ RV in there but it was doable. There is only one sewer dump so we can image that it can be pretty backed up on Sundays when everybody checks out.
ScoutAfter a busy few weeks, this was exactly the break we needed. The kids went swimming, we did some fishing, and everyone came home tired in a good way lol.
TravelerFree site ran by Peekemoose forest. There are supposed to be 12 along throughout the valley, this is the only one we were able to locate. Was able to access easily with a minivan and has a nice flat area. Can see the highway from the site.
ScoutWhite Pines made a really good home base for our trip. We spent most of the days checking out different spots around northwest Connecticut and came back here in the evenings. Made dinner outside, had a fire, and just relaxed. The campground itself had everything we needed without having to make a bunch of extra trips into town.
ScoutWe brought our camper up for the weekend and the kids immediately wanted to go to the pool.😂 They also loved the fishing pond and exploring around the campground. There was plenty to keep them busy while we got some actual downtime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping sites in Kent, CT?
Macedonia Brook State Park Campground is widely regarded as one of the best camping options in Kent. Located along a picturesque brook, it offers a peaceful setting with sites nestled among trees. The park provides a quiet, safe environment and serves as an excellent base for exploring the charming village of Kent. For those willing to venture slightly beyond Kent, Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground offers beautiful riverside camping with easy access to hiking trails and fishing. Both locations provide a true Connecticut outdoor experience with the natural beauty characteristic of the Litchfield Hills region.
What amenities are available at Kent, CT campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Kent typically offer essential amenities for a comfortable outdoor experience. Cozy Hills Campground provides water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with reservable sites. For a more rustic experience, Lone Oak Camp Sites offers family-friendly facilities with activities for children, stargazing opportunities, and access to hiking trails. Most Kent area campgrounds feature fire rings, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. While showering facilities vary by location, many have at least basic bathroom amenities. Some campgrounds offer ice and firewood for purchase on-site. Access to natural features like brooks, rivers, and hiking trails is a common highlight of camping in the Kent region.
How much does camping cost in Kent, Connecticut?
Camping costs in the Kent area vary by location and amenities. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, you'll find reasonably priced sites with a community feel. State parks like Kettletown State Park Campground typically charge between $15-30 per night for Connecticut residents, with slightly higher rates for non-residents. Private campgrounds generally range from $25-50 per night for basic tent sites, while RV sites with hookups can cost $35-75 depending on the season and amenities provided. Many campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays or off-season camping. Reservation fees may apply, and most locations require payment at the time of booking.
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