Naugatuck, Connecticut offers year-round camping options with varying terrain across the region. Elevations range from approximately 200 to 700 feet above sea level in the surrounding areas, creating diverse camping environments from riverside lowlands to wooded hills. Winter camping is available at select locations, though amenities may be limited compared to peak season operations.
What to do
Fishing at nearby ponds: Lake Compounce Campground includes fishing opportunities alongside its amusement park attractions. "Lot of good hiking trails with a scenic view and waterfall to discover. Beach was nice, just a bit crowded," notes a visitor to Black Rock State Park Campground.
Water activities beyond swimming: Several campgrounds feature bodies of water for recreation. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "The sites on the water looked nice" according to one camper, while another mentioned "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around."
Local exploration: The area provides access to natural attractions. A camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park shared that "There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water. There is a lot of hiking in the area- def check out Bash Bish Falls!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. A visitor to Kettletown State Park mentioned "The bathrooms are always kept clean and stocked and there are a ton of watering spots." Another camper appreciated that "It's quiet, clean, and exactly what we were looking for in a weekend."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Many locations cater to families with children. A camper at Prospect Mountain described it as "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."
Accessibility to attractions: Some campgrounds provide convenient access to recreational facilities. At Lake Compounce, one camper noted it "is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother," while another mentioned it was "Good for one night...adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layouts differ throughout the region. At Aces High RV Park, "Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors," whereas at Fahnestock State Park, "The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors."
Seasonal differences impact experience: Weather and timing affect camping conditions. "Most sites had similar trees, but the owner keeps them trimmed to not interfere when parking on your site," noted a camper at Aces High RV Park, while Branch Brook Campground was described as having "spaces [that] were decent sized...on the creek which was a decent view."
Bathroom facilities range in quality: Facilities vary by location. A camper at Black Rock State Park noted "they have a wash area for dishes and REALLY HOT showers," while Kettletown campers found that "the bathhouse is really just in dire need of updating."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated kids' activities: Prospect Mountain offers structured entertainment. A visitor shared it has "a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' gems."
Consider site layout for family needs: Some campgrounds offer better family accommodations. At Branch Brook Campground, a camper noted "The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer," making it suitable for families needing these amenities.
Find sites with gentle terrain: Camping areas with level ground work better for families. One camper at Kettletown State Park mentioned "Sites are close together," but "the trails make up for it," providing space for children to explore safely.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters for larger rigs: Some campgrounds accommodate bigger vehicles better than others. At Gentiles Campground, a camper warned that "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," suggesting caution for those with larger setups.
Hookup options vary by location: Electric and water connections differ across campgrounds. At Aces High RV Park, a camper praised how "Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should," while at Lake Compounce, visitors noted "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
Consider cell service needs: Connectivity varies throughout the region. A Lake Compounce camper mentioned "Wifi was okay, but we couldn't stream anything from it," while Aces High RV Park offers accessibility to nearby attractions, being "15 minutes from the beach" and "about 30 min to Foxwoods Casino."
