Connecticut's camping areas offer tent and yurt camping near small woodland lakes at elevations of 400-700 feet. Yurt camping in Lakeside, Connecticut provides canvas accommodations built on wooden platforms with proper heating. Most sites operate from May through October, with nearby state parks and private campgrounds offering both basic and upscale yurt options.
What to do
Lake activities with kids: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers family-friendly swimming areas with varying depths. One camper noted, "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny."
Hiking local trails: Access trails directly from most campsites at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, located just across the state border. "Very short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls," reports a visitor, highlighting the waterfall accessibility. Mountain Lakes Park offers more challenging terrain with "lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County."
Year-round activities: Lake Compounce Campground combines camping with amusement park access. "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out," one camper explained, describing the dual-purpose facility.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Many parks offer raised wooden platforms for tent camping, keeping gear dry during wet conditions. At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, "The sites are HUGE" and "you will almost always have a view of the water," according to one regular visitor.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the maintenance standards at many locations. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season," while another camper praised "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure."
Yurt options: For those seeking yurt camping in Lakeside, Connecticut and surrounding areas, several campgrounds offer these accommodations. Mountain Lakes Park features yurt rentals where campers can "trek straight from the campgrounds" to nearby hiking trails. Jellystone Park Gardiner also offers yurts among their accommodation types.
What you should know
Weekend crowds: Most campgrounds experience significant population changes between weekdays and weekends. At Lake Waramaug, a longtime visitor advises, "I would never camp here on a weekend.... it is a party place then," suggesting weekdays for quieter experiences.
Limited shower facilities: Even at larger campgrounds, bathroom facilities can be limited. At White Pines Campsites, campers noted "The showers could be more convenient" and "only one washer, one drier" in the laundry facility.
Wildlife awareness: Black bears are active in the region. One White Pines visitor reported, "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours." Lake Waramaug campers frequently mention skunks: "There are a lot of skunks and squirrels that will get into EVERYTHING even in a bin."
Weather preparedness: Connecticut camping can experience sudden rain. Platforms are valuable for this reason, as one Lake Taghkanic camper noted: "This was our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate campgrounds: Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park 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."
Swimming options: Many families prioritize swimming areas. At Lake Waramaug, one camper advised, "The swimming area is an absolute joke, unless you are 18 months old, and then its probably perfect. (Extremely small, extremely shallow, and some sand to dig in.)" Consider off-site swimming: "If you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road."
Activity scheduling: Plan around organized activities at family-oriented campgrounds. Jellystone Park Gardiner has "a lot of activities but some were repetitive. It looks like Saturdays have the best activities," according to a family that visited.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Check specific site details before booking. At Lake Compounce Campground, "Sites were large enough for RV. NO privacy, but tent sites were ok." The campground offers "electric, water and cable TV connections" but no sewer hookups at individual sites.
Site layouts: Many Connecticut campgrounds arrange RVs in close proximity. At Lake Compounce, "You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded." Lone Oak Camp Sites has "a large field for seasonal and large rv's to small wooded sites for tents," offering different privacy levels.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate May through October. Prospect Mountain Campground runs "May 1 to Columbus Day" while Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground operates "May 6 to October 15," making advance planning essential for RV travelers needing full hookups.
