Camping cabins near Kent, Connecticut offer year-round access to the western Connecticut highlands. The area sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with surrounding hills reaching 1,000-1,400 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with occasional snow coverage, while summer months typically range from 65-85°F. Most cabin facilities maintain operations from April through October with limited winter availability.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access the Appalachian Trail directly from Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground, which borders the Housatonic River. "Being from extremely overcrowded Long Island, we decided to take a week long trip and stay at site 14 at Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground in CT. The fishing, peace and quiet of the place was exactly what we needed. Tons of birdwatching, hiking, river floating," reports one camper.
Swimming locations: Rental cabins at Cozy Hills Campground provide access to their swimming pool. A recent visitor noted, "The pool is nice, clean but a little cold. Will definitely come back." Most pools in the area operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Fishing spots: Multiple ponds and streams offer fishing opportunities throughout the region. The Housatonic River provides trout fishing access points. One visitor shared, "Kids caught about 20 fish. The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground features larger than average sites. "Sites are HUGE. Bathrooms, water, showers are close by. You will almost always have a view of the water," according to one repeat visitor who appreciated the space.
Family-friendly activities: Seasonal programming runs at most cabin locations. As one camper at Cozy Hills reported, "Very nice facilities. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community. Family activities, like archery, were excellent."
Waterfront access: Several cabin locations offer direct water access. One camper at Lake Waramaug explained, "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones."
What you should know
Varying bathroom facilities: Cabin rentals feature different bathroom setups. At Black Rock State Park Campground, "Bathrooms, free showers are also spread throughout the grounds. Well maintained bathrooms, with available showers, are also spread throughout the grounds."
Limited cell service: Many cabins lack reliable connectivity. At Lake Waramaug, "cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years."
Kitchen considerations: Most cabin rentals require guests to bring their own cooking equipment. Basic cabins typically provide only shelter without kitchen facilities. Plan accordingly for meal preparation with coolers and portable cooking equipment.
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated play areas: Kettletown State Park Campground cabins provide open spaces for children. One parent emphasized, "The reason why I said that place is perfect for kids? 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!"
Pack wildlife precautions: Store food securely at all locations. "Be sure put foods in the car! One thing that I have to say to watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food," advises a Kettletown visitor.
Consider cabin proximity: Reserve cabins close to facilities when staying with young children. At some locations, "Site 32 and the upper loop was not great though. The sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear."
Tips from RVers
Reserve early for larger sites: Lone Oak Camp Sites offers various cabin options but limited availability. "This campground is large and has a variety of sites to choose from. It has a large field for seasonal and large RV's to small wooded sites for tents. Be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements."
Check facility operating hours: Many cabin locations have limited store or office hours. One visitor noted, "The campground store is likely not going to be open so bring everything you need."
Consider weather impact: Spring and fall cabin stays may experience significant temperature variations. Rental cabins often provide only basic shelter without climate control, so pack for changing weather conditions.
