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Best Tent Camping near New Britain, CT

550 Reviews

State parks and public lands surrounding New Britain, Connecticut provide several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Onion Mountain Park offers primitive tent campsites with a first-come, first-served policy and requires a short hike from the parking area to reach the camping area. About 30 minutes east of New Britain, Gillette Castle State Park Campground and Selden Neck State Park Campground provide tent-only camping experiences along the Connecticut River. Chapman Pond Preserve, located approximately 25 miles southeast of New Britain, features walk-in tent sites with tent platforms overlooking the Connecticut River. Windmill Hill in the White Memorial Conservation Center (about 30 miles west in Litchfield) offers a quiet woods atmosphere with established tent campsites.

Most tent campgrounds in the region have basic amenities with varying levels of development. Onion Mountain Park provides primitive tent camping with established fire pits but no drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. At Chapman Pond Preserve, tent platforms, picnic tables, and outhouses are available, but the site lacks drinking water. Selden Neck State Park requires boat access, with a 20-minute paddle from Deep River Landing to reach the island's four tent campsites. Bear activity is present throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential, with some sites providing bear boxes while others require hanging food from trees.

Tent campers frequently report peaceful experiences even during peak seasons. According to reviews, Onion Mountain Park offers "very peaceful overnight camping" with sites located off either the yellow or blue trail. One visitor noted that while the spot "is not very big," it includes a pre-established fire pit with plenty of wood available nearby. At Windmill Hill, campers appreciate the "quiet woods atmosphere with trails" and clean facilities. Selden Neck State Park provides a unique backcountry tent camping experience, with one camper reporting "plenty of flat area to pitch a tent, nice picnic table and fire pit" at the Hogback site, plus "a private outhouse" and beaches that emerge at low tide. The island setting creates a true primitive tent camping experience despite being relatively close to urban areas.

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Best Tent Sites Near New Britain, Connecticut (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near New Britain, CT

15 Photos of 17 New Britain Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near New Britain, CT

550 Reviews of 17 New Britain Campgrounds

  • Nicole G.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tolland State Forest Campground

    Great Lakeside Campground

    This was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.

    The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Alander Trail Camground — Mount Washington State Forest

    Amazing Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you’re looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy. It’s completely free and it usually isn’t too busy since most people don’t like having to carry all their stuff in that far. You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby

  • John D.
    May. 3, 2015

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Great park in a great location

    I have been camping at Rocky Neck State Park for decades, both tent camping, and now In a 30' camper. Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads. If you can, stay away from the front gates during the typical peak arrival / departure times. Traffic jams occur, partly because you're also in-line with the car loads of beach goers. The beach and beach parking lots fill to capacity. Week ends are the worst.

    The campgrounds are located within internal loops. Most sites are quite level. Park-like settings surrounding a large lawn. Bathhouses are being rehabbed, deemed adequate; can be seedy towards the end of the season. Park is routinely patrolled by State Conservation Officers who will put you out if needed. CT State Police and local officers also patrol. Camp roads are paved, and lots and lots of kids spend time riding bikes, coloring with chalk, skateboarding, roller blading.

    No electrical hook-ups; potable water spigots located within the camping circles. Generators allowed, but there are quiet hours. Dump upon exit; its up top by the entrance booths.

    There is a "tent-only area" which is nice and abuts a paved road for campers to walk / bike to the beach. Use this. Stay off the main road to the beach if you can. The speed limit is enforced, but sporadically. The fines are very stiff (you receive a State traffic ticket from the Officer).

    This beach road leads you to a wonderful overlook where lots of people take their kids crabbing for Blueshells. There are size regulations so be careful. The regs are posted. Bring some raw chicken wings and kite string and have some fun. You can also follow the signs that will lead you to nature walks. Amazing.

    During inclement weather some campers leave the park. We always recommend taking a right out of the park onto east bound Route 156. Follow into downtown Niantic for restaurants, an Irish pub, or a movie. Nice village area, and pedestrian friendly.

    Rocky Neck is a very nice park, and if I had to list one complaint, it is that the State is in a financial tight-spot, and has been cutting services and personnel. Entrance booths go unmanned and that leads to traffic jams that extend out and onto the main road. Very , very messy. Life guard towers at the beach are empty at times. Bath houses can be filthy.

    All things considered, I would recommend this park..

  • Ryan A.
    May. 21, 2024

    Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    Good Location for Hiking, Lots of Garbage, Not Recommended

    Camped here on a Friday night in Site 16, yet another campground recommended in“Best Tent Camping: New England.” Overall I was not impressed. The campsites are right next to each other and are marked with posts. The sites are so close that the posts are marked with the site number on both sides which tells me that there has been confusion in the past.

    The sites along the creek mostly have worn paths to walk to it but it’s nothing impressive and I wouldn’t want to eat fish that came out of it. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, some have the kind where the top flips over and others have the moveable grate that goes up and down. There is a large dumpster in the campground and several porta-potties. The old outhouses have been permanently closed and locked shut. My campsite had a lot of trash in it, old tent stakes, plastic bottle caps, plastic fork, broken glass, etc. Not good.

    Some of the people there were camping in a group and were blasting music. I didn’t see a single park ranger the entire night so I’m not sure how often they police it. Someone in a pickup truck came into the campground, did a u-turn, and sped out at 30 mph which was really annoying and unsafe.

    Across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls, which will take less than 10 minutes to hike to, but it’s a pretty waterfall despite all the foam and garbage around it.

    This is a pretty basic campground and is nothing special. Out of all the sites I think 22 looked the best, it is more isolated and you can hear the waterfalls from it, which would be relaxing. The downside is that it’s right next to the entrance and road so you’ll get car headlights at night.

    I woke in the morning to a gray sky and hundreds of birds singing– it was my favorite part of the trip. I delayed getting up to enjoy the moment. I also didn’t see any ticks but I’m sure there are plenty based on other reviews.

    I’ve always thought that if states were condiments Connecticut would be mayonnaise– relatively unremarkable and bland. This campground fits that description perfectly.

  • Katherine P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park

    A Cozy Spot

    We stayed here in August 2020.

    This is a really interesting campground that's situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park.  Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope.)

    There's space near the platform that is flat-ish with a picnic and a fire pit.  Some of these are better than others, ours was not that flat, but we made it work. You get a pretty decent view of Rudd Pond, and the sunsets are pretty. There is also a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park. There's a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals.

    The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors. It was close to half full when we were there, and it still felt like a fairly noisy campground, even after quiet hours. 

    My one complaint in these covid times is that compared to the NY-DEC campground we stayed at, I felt that the safety measures were less adhered to here. They had signs asking people to wear masks in the bathroom building, but far fewer people were. I also didn't see the staff do any cleaning of the restrooms while we were there - the paper towels ran out at one point and I had to flag the staff down to get them to go take care of that.  

    Still, I thought it was a really cute place to stay, and I think we would stay here again.

  • Amanda S.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park

    Great price

    This is basic dry camping it is fun but there is no electric or water at the sites o LU in the bathhouse. So if you get a site close the the bathhouse you will have water close by and electricity close. Otherwise it’s dry camping.. the platform sites are great it makes it real easy to set up a tent because of the platform that the tent goes on and the lake is ok. The kids don’t like swimming with fish so we didn’t spend much time at the lake

  • Becca Z.
    Aug. 29, 2020

    White Pines Campsites

    Clean Campsites

    We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site. A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand.

    The picnic table was chained down so there weren’t many options to set up having the fire pit and picnic table where they were.

    Hiking trails were nice, good variety of easier and more difficult terrain.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park

    Basic campground with hiking trails in the area.

    This small state park campground offers basic campsites with running water and showers, open Memorial Day to Columbus Day.  This is NOT Wolf's Den Family Campground in E. Haddam, CT. Also, be aware there are 2 campgrounds at this State Park; the other one, Mashamoquet Brook, does not offer running water/showers, so if you want these amenities, be sure to select a campsite 1-35.

    There's a small playground in the middle of the loop, a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches (download details for offline use a phone connection is spotty), a swimming pond, and a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop that is sometimes open on weekends for tours. It's a nice place to explore and have a picnic. In 2020 with Covid, there were restrictions on visitors to the campground, reservations required, and swimming was not allowed. 

    The parking pads are paved and a few have overhanging branches, but the trees provide  separation and some shade on largely open sites that tend to open up toward the back with open areas for pitching tents. Sites have fire rings with grills and picnic tables. Site 20 is the only one with electric. The ones toward the back of the loop back up toward the woods and give you some more privacy. 

    They don't allow hammocks in the trees or pets. For some reason, silly string also makes the list of prohibitions.

  • Alex S.
    May. 13, 2020

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Best New England beach campground!

    The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground.  The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way. There are several osprey nests too. Many families bring bikes. 

    There are several camping areas at Rocky Neck - I think Crane is the best because it is quiet and the bathrooms are updated. 

    The tent camping area is in a field without much privacy or shade. I recommend setting up your tent at a traditional site.

    The beach is great for relaxing and beach combing. The water is warm and shallow, very calm. No floats or toys are allowed in the water, not sure why. Don't bring your kite either as the Amtrak is next to the beach, it's interesting when it goes by!

    Sometimes generators are an issue, but there are limited hours at which they can run.

    Lots of dumpsters for easy trash disposal. Firewood available for a low price on site, don't bring any outside wood. 

    Campground is not too far from a Walmart if you forget something. There's a gas station close by too for ice.

    This campground books up FAST, I usually book in the wintertime. I stay for a week at a time.

Guide to New Britain

The tent campsites near New Britain, Connecticut primarily exist within a 30-mile radius, located among mixed hardwood forests and river valleys at elevations ranging from 40 to 1,000 feet. Most primitive camping areas require visitors to bring their own water and practice proper waste management. Weather conditions vary seasonally with humid summers averaging 80°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Hidden Lake Farm, campers can observe local wildlife in a quiet setting. "Quiet and Private" notes reviewer Ashley F., highlighting the pet-friendly accommodations available at this location.

Hiking with elevation: The Appalachian Trail section near Brassie Brook Shelter offers challenging terrain with significant views. One camper advises to "Be prepared for steep inclines, and lots of rocks" while another mentions "The fall views made it worth it" despite challenging weather conditions.

Water activities: Connecticut River access points provide paddling and swimming opportunities. One visitor to River Highlands State Park noted, "The campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river" and mentions that "You can swim and fish and relax all day!"

What campers like

Secluded sites: Tent campers appreciate the isolation at Onion Mountain Park, where reviewers describe "Very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required." Another camper noted it's "a very casual site and good for your first trip, you are close to your car and the road in case you need it."

Tent platforms: Several locations feature constructed platforms that improve the camping experience. At Chapman Pond Preserve, campers find "Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view," according to reviewer Ben L.

Island camping: Experienced paddlers seek out river island camping for solitude. A visitor to Selden Neck State Park Campground described the 20-minute paddle access: "If it's a nice day, you're going to encounter some wake from passing boats so make sure your gear is in waterproof bags." The reviewer also mentioned "The sunset view was amazing" with only "a little noise at night from boat traffic."

What you should know

Variable facilities: Campgrounds differ significantly in amenity levels. At Sodom Mountain Campground, a visitor noted improvements: "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. Great Wi-Fi now, store has been redone."

Weather preparations: Conditions can change rapidly in Connecticut's varying terrain. One camper at Brassie Brook reported "Our trip was sadly cut short because we were freezing and it was raining a lot LOL but hey it's part of the experience."

Wildlife awareness: Multiple campgrounds report spider and bear activity. A day visitor to River Highlands State Park warned: "As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this)."

Tips for camping with families

First-time options: Beginners should consider established sites with road access. One reviewer shared that at Onion Mountain Park, "My BSA troop has been going here for years to help new scouts learn to camp" noting it's "good for your first trip" with proximity to vehicles if needed.

Educational sites: Historical locations offer learning opportunities alongside camping. At Gillette Castle State Park, a visitor mentioned "Castle has tours at certain times" making it a "Great place for a hike or a picnic."

Child-friendly water access: Sites with gentle shorelines work best for families. Jason S. noted at Selden Neck State Park: "At low tide, a couple of beaches emerge to play on" and mentioned successfully camping there with a 5-year-old.

Tips from RVers

Improved facilities: Some campgrounds have undergone recent renovations benefiting all campers. At Sodom Mountain, a long-term visitor observed: "This campground has improved with the new owners as of 2021" and mentioned "they are adding a modern bathhouse by the pool and enlarging the pool area."

Site selection: Choose camping spots based on access needs and equipment. One Onion Mountain camper advised: "Other posts claim you can park right at the site, but you cannot. It's up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it's not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."

Seasonal differences: Campground experiences vary by time of year. A Windmill Hill visitor during peak season still found a "Quiet woods atmosphere with trail's. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Britain, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Britain, CT is Onion Mountain Park with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near New Britain, CT?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near New Britain, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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