Glamping close to New Fairfield, Connecticut offers access to the forested hills of Litchfield County, where elevations range from 200 to 1,250 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Most luxury camping accommodations in this region can be reached within a 30-60 minute drive from New Fairfield, providing convenient access to both New York and Connecticut outdoor spaces.
What to do
Hike to viewpoints: West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area features hiking trails with significant elevation changes leading to scenic overlooks. "The hiking trail behind the campground is really great (but very short .65 miles) and has a cool big rock to climb on near the bathrooms further away from the office and a field that would be good for flying kites, model airplanes or drones behind the state park parking lot," notes a visitor.
Water activities: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers multiple water recreation options. A camper explains, "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones."
Explore nearby attractions: Beyond the immediate campgrounds, the region offers numerous day trip options. "There is a lot of good hiking that can be done within a 20 min-1/2 hour 8-12 mile drive. A good one would be the Steep Rock Association's Macricostas Preserve, where you can hike up and see the sun set over the lake," recommends one Lake Waramaug visitor.
What campers like
Spacious sites: White Pines Campsites offers upscale glamping near New Fairfield with generous camping areas. "We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site," shares one reviewer who appreciated the layout.
Family entertainment: Jellystone Park Gardiner provides extensive organized activities. As one camper notes, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there."
Natural surroundings: The natural environment draws many visitors to upscale outdoor accommodations in the region. At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be limited at many glamping sites around New Fairfield. At Lake Waramaug, "Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years. Actually we were a bit disappointed because this campground is a great place to disconnect and relax."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. At Wildwood State Park Campground, "Bathrooms and showers were not really clean, with paint pealing off the walls and the showers were cold in the afternoon."
Seasonal operations: Most luxury camping sites near New Fairfield operate from April/May through October/November. Lake Compounce Campground notes its season runs "May 1 - Oct 31," while Taconic State Park operates from "May 6 to November 27," making advance planning essential.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Lake Compounce Campground offers unique entertainment options adjacent to accommodations. A visitor explains, "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park."
Noise considerations: Many glamping destinations have varying noise levels. A Jellystone Park camper advises, "The campers don't respect the quiet time at night and morning too. A lot noises until 2 am and early from 6 am."
Wildlife awareness: Wildlife encounters are possible at several glamping sites. At White Pines, a visitor cautions, "Also beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours. I'm sure they are fed well."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Wildwood State Park, RVers should note the layout: "Stayed here for two nights with my popup and was surrounded by large motor homes/RVs. Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site."
Hookup variations: Lake Compounce provides partial hookups only. "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. The staff were very friendly and they had some activities like bingo and corn hole."
Accessibility: Some glamping sites near New Fairfield have challenging terrain. At White Pines Campsites, "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand."
