Tent camping near Monroe, Connecticut ranges from primitive sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. Located in Fairfield County at approximately 400 feet elevation, the area features a mix of woodland terrain that transitions from coastal lowlands to higher hills. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping offers cooler temperatures and colorful seasonal changes.
What to do
Hiking network access: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides over 40 miles of trails suitable for all skill levels. "I believe there are over 40 miles of trails in this area. Would definitely recommend for those who want to camp near NYC but not drive too far," notes camper Ethan K.
Lake activities: At Mountain Lakes Park, visitors can enjoy multiple lakes for recreation. "Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. The area, as the name implies, is home to several lakes which can be used for various recreational purposes," reports Ethan K.
Seasonal beach swimming: Croton Point Park offers supervised beach access on the Hudson River during summer months. "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood. I would highly recommend it. Oh...and did i say, gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!" writes Anil S.
What campers like
Lean-to shelters: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides shelter options for weather protection. "The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather," states Ethan K. Another camper adds, "All of the shelters have fire pits and some have interior fireplaces."
Hilltop camping: Onion Mountain Park offers more elevated tent sites with established fire rings. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent but has a firepit already set up," shares Nora S.
Spacious tent sites: Battle Row Campground provides roomy tent camping areas with good separation. "The sites all have a table and raised BBQ 'pit' for cooking only. I still give this campground 4 stars because it was quiet, the campground itself was clean, the bathrooms were clean and it was centrally located to what I wanted to do plus the sites are very big," explains katrina M.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Webb Mountain Park in Monroe requires advance bookings for tent sites. Some nearby campgrounds like Ward Pound Ridge require in-person bookings. One camper at Ward Pound Ridge notes, "There is no phone or internet reservations and has to be made in person at the office. I would recommend call earlier and come in few minutes earlier to 9 am when the office opens to find the best spots."
Wildlife preparation: Bear activity requires proper food storage at several campgrounds. At Onion Mountain Park, campers report, "We set up the tent and started a fire (very easy as there are sticks and wood everywhere). P.S - There are a lot of bugs so be prepared, and we did put a bear bag about 100 feet away."
Insect conditions: Mosquito density varies by location and season. At Watch Hill Fire Island Campground, a camper warns, "However, it was nearly impossible to enjoy ourselves because we were getting attacked by mosquitoes and horseflies the entire weekend. When we first arrived to the campground, we were immediately getting attacked so we doused ourselves in deet."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. At Battle Row Campground, "The playground is new and centrally located. They also have a horseshoe pit. The park is clean the bathrooms are well maintained and there is a playground for the kids."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs provide learning activities for children. "There are park rangers on site and have excellent programs for kids," notes a camper at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground.
First-time family camping: Beginners should consider more developed sites with amenities. "I took my 5 year old-son and wife, all of us first time campers. this place was great. The site was very nice, all the people friendly and area beautiful," shares Kevin G. about Croton Point Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Croton Point Park, RV sites offer different levels of privacy. "The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together," notes Lee D.
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. "Only down side is there is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night," reports Andrew A. about Croton Point Park.
Utility hookups: Water and electric connections are limited at certain sites. "We had a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level," explains one RVer about Croton Point Park's facilities.
