Family campgrounds around New Fairfield, Connecticut cluster within the Hudson Valley region at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,200 feet. The area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures of 82°F and cold winters with January averages of 20°F. Most campsites sit amid oak and maple forests with moderate undergrowth, creating natural boundaries between sites.
What to do
Swimming at natural beaches: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground features a large swimming area with clean water conditions. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards / kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes Mellisa T. The beach area includes lifeguards during summer months.
Fishing at multiple locations: Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park offers productive fishing for largemouth bass. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," shares Rosie R.
Hiking with historical significance: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground contains several trail systems connected to the Appalachian Trail. "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!" advises Rosie R., highlighting the multi-use recreational opportunities.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground features elevated wooden platforms for tent camping. "This campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits," reports Seth K. These platforms help keep tents dry during wet weather conditions.
Winter camping options: Unlike most seasonal campgrounds, Black Bear RV Park remains open year-round. "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs," notes Dave S. The park maintains 74 sites with full hookups throughout winter.
Access to public transit: Campers can reach certain campgrounds without a vehicle. "Came in on MetroNorth from NYC then took a pre-arranged taxi ($25 flat rate) to the campground," mentions Jess M. about Fahnestock State Park, making it accessible for urban residents without cars.
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility cleanliness differs significantly between campgrounds and during different seasons. "Bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there," notes Seth K. about Lake Taghkanic.
Site privacy considerations: Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park offers varying levels of privacy between campsites. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor," explains Ethan K. Sites near water tend to offer less seclusion.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife appear regularly at certain campgrounds. "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area," recounts Steve W. Proper food storage precautions remain essential.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kettletown State Park Campground includes facilities specifically for children. "The reason why I said that place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" explains Jennifer H. The park maintains designated play areas separate from camping zones.
Beach activities: Lake Compounce Campground connects directly to swimming areas. "Great time! Would have been nice if they had a place to swim (in the camping area) besides for at the main park," mentions Danny A., highlighting the need to plan for water activities.
Off-season benefits: Visiting during shoulder seasons offers quieter experiences. "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" advises Shelly B. about Fahnestock State Park. School-age families find weekday camping during May and September particularly peaceful.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing awareness: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley accommodates various RV sizes but with notable limitations. "The only problem I had was that my Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam," shares Inez W., demonstrating flexibility in site selection.
Hookup configurations: The rv campgrounds near New Fairfield, Connecticut offer different utility setups. "Oh yea, the sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," notes Inez W. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. Motorhome travelers should verify hookup locations before arrival.
Pull-through availability: Certain RV campgrounds around New Fairfield feature specialized pull-through sites. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains Diane R. about Lake Compounce. These sites accommodate larger rigs but often position campers closer to neighbors.
