Best Campgrounds near New Milford, CT

Connecticut's northwestern region surrounding New Milford contains several established campgrounds suitable for both tent and RV camping. The area features Lake Waramaug State Park Campground with waterfront sites, Black Rock State Park with developed camping areas, and Kettletown State Park offering tent, RV, and cabin options. Located along the western edge of the state, these mixed-use campgrounds provide access to Connecticut's rural landscapes, lakes, and woodland areas, typically within 30 minutes of New Milford proper.

Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with limited availability outside the peak summer season. Lake Waramaug, Macedonia Brook, and Kettletown State Parks typically open from late May through early September. "Sites are HUGE. Bathrooms, water, showers are close by. You will almost always have a view of the water," noted one Lake Waramaug visitor, though they also mentioned limited activities beyond swimming and biking. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near town centers and limited connectivity in more remote campgrounds.

Campers report varying experiences with site privacy and amenities across the region's campgrounds. At Kettletown State Park, a visitor observed that "the sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear," indicating potential crowding during peak periods. Macedonia Brook State Park receives higher ratings for its more secluded camping experience, with one camper describing it as "perfect for teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges." Several campgrounds feature access to water recreation, including swimming and fishing opportunities at Lake Waramaug and boating at Point Folly Campground. While most state park campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities, few provide electrical hookups or full-service RV sites.

Best Camping Sites Near New Milford, Connecticut (111)

    1. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    New Preston, CT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 868-0220

    $17 - $50 / night

    "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 !"

    2. Cozy Hills Campground

    8 Reviews
    Bantam, CT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-2119

    $72 - $122 / night

    "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."

    3. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $17 - $50 / night

    "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."

    4. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $17 / night

    "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."

    5. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Kent, CT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 927-3238

    $14 / night

    "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!"

    6. Freedom Farm Homestead

    1 Review
    New Milford, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 508-1594

    $50 - $70 / night

    7. Steep Rock Association

    1 Review
    Washington, CT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 868-9131

    "Each one is far away from the others."

    8. Black Rock State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Thomaston, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8088

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Beautiful state park, very clean .. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers .. stores within a 5 minute drive. Most of the camp ground site are not secluded .."

    "The family next to me offered me dinner one night after I spent the whole day working on my RV. Spanish rice chicken the works the plate could barely hold it all."

    9. Point Folly Campground

    2 Reviews
    Bantam, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-0089

    "The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers  fisherman and families.  I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake.   "

    "Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"

    10. Gentiles Campground

    7 Reviews
    Plymouth, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8437

    $55 - $150 / night

    "Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."

    "There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"

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Recent Reviews near New Milford, CT

520 Reviews of 111 New Milford Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • 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.

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • Alicia B.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    River Highlands State Park River Campground

    Beautiful But Beware of Arachnids

    We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river. As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this). Otherwise, it’s a peaceful and scenic spot worth seeing!

  • Elizabeth M.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Jellystone Park Gardiner

    Dirty bathrooms

    This is my second time I visited the park, the first time was 4 years ago and we stayed in a cabin, but a few weeks ago we decided to stay in a tent side and it was a nice experience except for some things, the campers don't respect the quiet time at night and morning too. A lot noises until 2 am and early from 6 am. But the worst experience was bathrooms, very few for the number of sites and people it covers. They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed. The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water, some had no paper, hairs everywhere, the toilets didn't work, and super dirty, the truth was a disgusting thing that didn't encourage to use them but there was no other option. For the price you pay is not for having the bathrooms under those conditions. I hope you get better because the truth is a park that has many things to have a good time but with the bathrooms with that condition, is not encouraged to reserve again. And please add more shadows in the areas of the tents and MORE BATHROOMS, is not enough to cover all the tents area.

  • sdwalter@bellsouth.net
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Interlake RV Park & Campground

    Great campsite.

    Great Campsite. Well maintained. Lots of pretty lots under the shade. Good for Families. Pool. Recreation Barn. Recycling. Some people stay here all summer. Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby.

  • 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

  • Brittany V.
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Skyridge Trails Campground

    Fantastic new campground!

    A little over a year old, and they have tons to do! Weekly themed events, spacious sites with fantastic views. The sites are level gravel with full hook ups and include a fire pit and picnic table. Beautiful swimming pond and a serene fishing pond located on site. The outpost has anything you might have forgotten to bring and everyone is ready to make sure you are enjoying your stay!


Guide to New Milford

The northwestern Connecticut region offers camping spots near New Milford, Connecticut with elevations ranging from 200 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area sit along streams or near lakes, with rocky woodland terrain typical of the Litchfield Hills. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime hours with nighttime lows around 55-65°F, making sleeping conditions comfortable even during peak season.

What to do

Hiking and climbing trails: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers a challenging 6.5-mile loop trail with several steep sections providing views into New York State. "The loop hike over the mountains was good, at times more intermediate than beginner and I wouldn't try to go it with younger kids. We did the east side one afternoon and the west the next," notes one visitor to Macedonia Brook State Park Campground.

Paddling opportunities: Bantam Lake at Point Folly Campground provides 947 acres of water surface for boating activities. A camper mentioned that "Point Folly is a small, quiet campground that has water, pit toilets and I think a dumping station. The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side."

Fishing access: The numerous water bodies around New Milford provide multiple fishing opportunities. At Cozy Hills Campground, "Kids caught about 20 fish" during a two-night stay according to one reviewer. Another notes that the campground has "Fishing on site" along with "Crafts And events."

What campers like

Quiet weekday camping: Several campgrounds in the area are notably less crowded midweek. At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "If you go during the week the place is a ghost town," making it ideal for those seeking solitude. They also appreciated that "You can get a VERY large site that easily fits 3 tents."

Family-friendly activities: Kettletown State Park Campground offers programs for children during summer months. "The place is perfect for young kids! It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime," reports one camper who has visited for ten years.

Clean facilities: Black Rock State Park receives high marks for maintenance. A visitor to Black Rock State Park Campground reported, "The staff greeted with warm welcomes and big smiles. Even when I arrived on a rainy Sunday. Stayed until Friday. And the grounds staff smiled and waved as they went by." They also appreciated the "REALLY HOT showers."

What you should know

Wildlife encounters: Various wildlife frequent these campgrounds. At Kettletown State Park Campground, campers should "be sure put foods in the car" as "raccoons and skunk, they love to find food." Lake Waramaug also has resident skunks and squirrels "that will get into EVERYTHING even in a bin."

Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the region have limited connectivity. Macedonia Brook State Park has "No cell service" according to a recent visitor. Even at Lake Waramaug, a long-time camper noted that their recent trip "was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years."

Bathroom variations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Fahnestock State Park found "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!" while Black Rock received praise for their facilities: "they have a wash area for dishes and REALLY HOT showers."

Tips for camping with families

Swimming options: Some lakes in the area have swimming restrictions or limited beach areas. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, "the beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful." Lake Waramaug has a "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.)"

Site selection: Campground layouts vary significantly throughout the region. At Cozy Hills Campground, "Most sites were not wooded and provided no buffer from one to the next," making it "more like staying in a summer cottage colony." A visitor recommends checking sites before booking as "each site varied quite a bit from the other."

Alternative swimming locations: When campground swimming areas are inadequate, look for nearby options. A Lake Waramaug camper advises: "if you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road. It's a day use only park-no camping- but the lake is gorgeous and there are very few people there."

Tips from RVers

Water and power access: RV hookups are limited at most state parks in the region. At Freedom Farm Homestead, electric hookups and water are available, although not all sites may be equipped. Black Rock State Park notes "No water or electric hookup but I have solar and a generator and they have a wash area for dishes and REALLY HOT showers."

Road conditions: Access roads and campground layouts can challenge larger rigs. Gentiles Campground reports "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs." At Lake Waramaug, "Every campsite has deep drainage ditches, likely roots, and stumps as well," which can complicate leveling and positioning.

Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer dump stations, so plan accordingly. Black Rock State Park provides "a dump station and a place to fill up ur water tank as well," which makes it suitable for extended stays. Similar facilities exist at Kettletown and Lake Waramaug for those needing to empty tanks before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best camping sites near New Milford, CT?

New Milford offers excellent camping options within a short drive. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground is a standout choice with clean facilities, running water, and beautiful terrain that's perfect for hiking and wilderness activities. Another excellent option is Kettletown State Park Campground, which offers river access and beautiful hiking trails. For those willing to drive a bit further, Lone Oak Camp Sites provides family-friendly amenities with plenty of activities for children, while Black Rock State Park Campground offers diverse access options including boat-in camping. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months, so booking in advance is recommended.

What RV rental options are available in New Milford, Connecticut?

While New Milford itself has limited RV rental businesses, several options exist in the surrounding area. RV enthusiasts can find rental companies in nearby larger towns and cities that offer delivery services to campgrounds. For RV-friendly camping, Lone Oak Camp Sites accommodates RVs and provides excellent amenities for families, with activities for children and access to hiking trails. White Pines Campsites is another RV-friendly option with full hookups. Online rental platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy also connect travelers with local RV owners who rent their vehicles. For the best experience, reserve your RV at least 2-3 months in advance during peak season (May-September).

Where can I find tent rentals for events in New Milford, CT?

For event tent rentals in New Milford, several local party supply companies and event rental businesses serve the area. While not specifically camping-related, these businesses offer various tent sizes for outdoor gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. For camping-specific rentals, check with Hammonasset State Park Campground, as they have a well-stocked camp store that might offer rental equipment. Croton Point Park occasionally partners with outfitters for equipment rentals. Additionally, outdoor retailers like REI in nearby cities offer tent rentals for recreational use. For large events, contacting Taylor Rental, Grand Rental Station, or local event planning companies will provide options for tent sizes, pricing, and availability.