112 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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 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"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"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"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
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"While there are no rules about who can camp there, during thru-hiking season, consideration should be made for folks who rely on places like this during a long distance hike."
"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"
ScoutThis is not the place to come if what you are looking for is a nice quiet, peaceful nature retreat. The "full shade" sites really aren't, it's crowded with kids yelling and running everywhere, and honestly, you're better off camping in your backyard.
ScoutThe neighbor cry about a dog that barks and then we are no good
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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.
Keep Exploring
