103 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near New Fairfield, Connecticut include a mix of state parks and private facilities within a short drive. Kettletown State Park Campground in Southbury offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with electric hookups and shoreline access. Lake Waramaug State Park provides tent and RV sites with water views about 30 miles north. The region features several established campgrounds rather than dispersed camping options, with most sites concentrated in Connecticut and neighboring New York counties. Most facilities are seasonal operations, typically closing between September and December before reopening in spring.
The camping season in this region generally runs from late April through early October, with peak visitor numbers in July and August. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly on summer weekends. "Drive-in tent campgrounds offer adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill," noted one visitor about Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground. Several campgrounds near New Fairfield experience heavy weekend crowds during summer, with facilities like swimming beaches and hiking trails drawing day visitors in addition to overnight campers. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better connectivity at developed campgrounds than in more remote areas.
Campers consistently mention the proximity to water as a significant advantage of camping in this region. Several state parks feature swimming areas, fishing access, and boat launches. While the campgrounds offer convenient access to natural settings, some visitors note the developed nature of the surrounding landscape. One camper observed that Ward Pound Ridge Reservation has "manicured grounds; sites far apart" and that "the grounds are far too well trimmed." Wildlife encounters are common, with visitors reporting bears in Harriman State Park and raccoons at Croton Point Park. Many campgrounds are within a reasonable drive of New York City, making them popular weekend destinations for urban residents seeking outdoor recreation opportunities.
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "
"Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
"The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."
"A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."
"My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."
"One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there."
"We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
from $72 - $122 / night
Check Availability"teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges place is clean it has running water has a porta potty and festival you don't have to worry because the state of Connecticut"
"Our camp spot was right above the river the flows behind this spot. You can go sit down by the water. But be careful!"
from $14 / night
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ScoutI was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy. Had smoke from the Canadian Wildfire which made for a good sunset
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
TravelerWe arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
GuideTall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane. The campground is landscaped and maintained beautifully. the highlight is the river, ever-present in sound. The primo sites are on the northern end , where most sites are right on the water, and just a small descent. Bathrooms are good, not great. Showers are push button automatic, water was warm. We have a small RV, the dump site is up the main road about a 1/2 mile in a turnout. Free for campers, on your honor. At office were college aged young men and women in very casual street clothes all very nice, and mannerly, but not very knowledgeable, and hard to believe they could handle an adverse situation. I asked for the soap to be filled in the mens room on Thursday afternoon at 4 and it was still not done at noon the next day. -it’s a 2 minute walk from the office. I asked about a hike, they told me a trail head was a mile up the road. We found a spur directly across the street. I miss real docents, with knowledge, and wearing the garb. All sites not directly on the river side have paths down to get there. Did a nice little moderate hike just across the street called Pine Knob. Nice vista, quick 760ft ascent, combines withe AT for a length, then back down total 3 miles the way we did it. Some nice restaurants in Kent. Found a good breakfast in Goshen. We’ll be going back.
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
GuideA really nice campground for tenters and dry campers. No hookups, but decent bathrooms, lukewarm showers and well kept. The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods. The only negative is Route 7, which gets busy in the mornings, and at rush hours, but quiets down at night. Not a busy highway to begin with, but a major route. A good up and down hike right across the street, 760 ft ascent in a mile or so, 3 mile loop, you see AT through hikers on the portion of the combined trail. There is a drinking water tap you can hook a hose to for filling your RV, or jugs. No dump station. We had our class B here. Sites mostly level. Come during the week for better privacy. Supposedly fly fisherman come on weekends. Cute cabins for rent in a awesome location.
GuideSpent one night here. The park is quiet. The facilities are a little outdated, although they said that newer ones had been built by the marina. I wasn’t up for the 15 minute walk, having just hiked up a mountain. My spot included electrical and water hook ups.
TravelerCampground: fairly secluded, forested, breezy with some wildlife. Small camp store. Ingress/Egress: Tight approach with multiple switchbacks and steep grades - if you’re coming in a towable rig over 36’ you might want to take a solo look first. Sites are oddly arranged and there aren’t any FHU sites. Cell: Verizon in spot C9 had 1-bar; we used Starlink for connectivity. Laundry: 3 washers & 3 dryers: $2.50 each. Dump Station: was close by (across the street) but we didn’t need it for our 3 day stay. Bathhouse: across the street, clean and we used it almost exclusively. Noise: Quiet with some small arms fire, but barely noticeable from our site. Site C9: can be viewed from Google street view site is north of the lake in the horseshoe road- some cabins are viewable as well. Site is gravel with composite picnic table, post metal grill and truck rim fire ring. Water pressure- fluctuated 30psi-50psi: hunted constantly. Cabins: available and in good order. They appear to be older, but still functional- mini log cabins $65/night (primitive-no bathroom)
GuideWe've only stayed overnight at this campground. Roads are all paved, and some sites as well. They stagger the campers so that you don't look right into another camper, which makes it feel like you are camping in the woods.
Lots of trees so watch DVD or OTA television as you likely won't get satellite TV in your rig. Large swimming pool and playground for kids. There is an activity center where you can get something to eat, and sit on the deck to enjoy the scenery.
Sites are level. Staff are friendly. The camp store is large and well stocked in just about anything that you could need.
Enough trees that if you have a large rig and are towing you need to use some care leaving your RV site.
Campgrounds near New Fairfield, Connecticut are situated in the western highlands region, where elevations range from 700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most campsites in this region offer spacious sites on uneven terrain with varying degrees of privacy between neighboring campers.
Hiking trails and lookouts: Steep Rock Association in Washington, Connecticut offers secluded campsites along the Shepaug River. "There are three campsites; two that require short hikes (.5 miles and .75 miles, respectively) and a third that can be driven to. Each one is far away from the others," notes Michael O., who appreciated the privacy between sites.
Fishing in stocked waters: Kettletown State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots with convenient access. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available," notes camper G Y., highlighting the diverse water activities available.
Beach swimming: Lake swimming remains a popular activity during summer months. "We spent quite a bit of time in CT State Parks on this trip, and this was one of the best," reports DrDavid P. about Kettletown, where the swimming area is "marginal—best for little ones" according to another camper.
Platform tent sites: Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park offers raised platform tent sites. "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay," notes Ethan K., who also appreciated "the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water."
Lean-to shelter camping: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation features lean-to shelters with fire pits. "Beautiful campsites! Lots of lean-to sites with fireplaces in them. The camp area is beautiful, especially in the fall. Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available," shares Misty V., who particularly recommends site #25.
Proximity to NYC: Many campsites serve as weekend getaways for city residents. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," writes Megan B. about Beaver Pond Campground, highlighting its accessibility from urban areas.
Varied bathroom conditions: Bathroom facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "The bathrooms are usually unclean, they run out of tissue, there is only 1 shower for the entire bathroom AND they clean them right when people are waking and need to pee (between 7-8)," notes katrina M. about Lake Waramaug State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground visitors often report wildlife sightings. "A park employee asked everyone to exit the park...so they wouldn't be present when the wildlife exterminator arrived," reports one camper dealing with geese management, while others mention squirrels, raccoons, and skunks as common visitors to campsites.
Weekday vs. weekend experiences: Campsite atmosphere changes dramatically between weekdays and weekends. "If you go during the week the place is a ghost town...I would never camp here on a weekend.... it is a party place then," warns katrina M. about Lake Waramaug, a sentiment echoed at several campgrounds in the region.
Look for activity options: Freedom Farm Homestead in Connecticut offers family-friendly amenities with 20 available sites. As a newer addition to the camping scene, visitors appreciate its market, picnic tables and accessible water hookups.
Consider site privacy: Site selection significantly impacts camping experience. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site," notes Asher K. about Fahnestock State Park, advising families to "check out the sites online to get one that is private."
Check swimming areas: Swimming facilities vary in quality and size. "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)," reports Mo S. about Lake Waramaug's beach area.
Limited hookup options: Cozy Hills Campground offers RV-friendly sites with hookups. "Clean, well maintained campground. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community," notes Jon R., adding that "sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel."
Elevation challenges: Many campsites feature hilly terrain that can be challenging for RVs. "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool," advises Rino S. about Cozy Hills, which may require additional planning for RV positioning.
Site spacing considerations: The proximity between campsites affects privacy levels. "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," observes Jon R., though other reviewers note the "real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw...it was more like staying in a summer cottage colony."
Frequently Asked Questions
What recreation services and amenities are available at New Fairfield campgrounds?
Campgrounds near New Fairfield offer diverse recreation options and amenities. Lone Oak Camp Sites provides numerous children's activities, nearby hiking opportunities, and access to local waterfalls. The area is also known for excellent stargazing. Beaver Pond Campground features picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and access to Welch Lake with a lifeguard-monitored beach. Many sites include amenities like running water, toilet facilities, and trash service, though availability varies by location.
Where can I find tent campgrounds near New Fairfield, CT?
Several excellent tent camping options surround New Fairfield. Kettletown State Park Campground offers tent sites with beautiful hiking trails and river access, though swimming availability depends on water conditions. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground is perfect for tent campers, featuring clean facilities, running water, and is particularly good for teaching wilderness skills. Both parks are within reasonable driving distance of New Fairfield and provide a true Connecticut outdoor experience.
What camping is available near New Fairfield, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, New Fairfield, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 103 campgrounds and RV parks near New Fairfield, CT and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near New Fairfield, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Fairfield, CT is Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near New Fairfield, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near New Fairfield, CT.
What parks are near New Fairfield, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near New Fairfield, CT that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.
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