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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"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 $17 / 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"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"
ScoutWe visited toward the end of the camping season and loved seeing this part of Connecticut as summer was winding down. The cooler evenings made sitting around the fire especially nice. I would absolutely come back during fall because this area feels made for that kind of trip.
GuideDefinitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
ScoutCame here with a few friends and spent most of the weekend cooking outside and catching up. Exactly what we needed.
ScoutWe booked White Pines because we wanted to spend a few days exploring northwest Connecticut rather than staying in one place the entire trip. It turned out to be a really good home base for that kind of weekend. We headed out during the day and then came back in the late afternoon to cook at our site and relax. One evening we ended up sitting around the fire talking until we realized how late it had gotten. No television, no plans for the night, and nobody staring at their phone. Those are usually the moments we remember most from camping trips, and we had plenty of them here.
ScoutWe used White Pines as our base while exploring this part of Connecticut and it worked out really well. We spent most of Saturday away from camp and came back tired and ready for an easy evening. Made dinner outside, started a fire, and didn’t move again until bedtime. Sometimes that is exactly what you want from a campsite.
ScoutBrought our dog along and really appreciated having a trail we could walk together. It was nice being able to get out for a walk without even leaving the campground.
TravelerOverall a superb spot to either stay put and enjoy the camp, park and beach or to use as a base to explore the region. Huge campground, yet peaceful. Online map would make it seem spaces are tight but it is a very big area and so ample room to stretch out your space. Not a lot of privacy as most spaces are out in the open or light tree area but it is not an invasive feeling situation. Very popular for CT families with biking, walking and the beautiful beach right here. Lots of grass, level sites. A few sites have electric but not many and this seems to be the big rig area. Most people are tent or small camper setups. Bathrooms clean, hot water reasonable temp. Dish washing stations at each restroom. Movies at night (kids). The state park is really pretty and well maintained. The area towns are very pretty and remarkably quiet in general (not many tourist traps) and its easy to access various shoreline parks, drives, viewpoints. I'd avoid the spots very nearest the park road as it does get a lot of day visitors to the park/beach. I'm here late August and schools go back this week so midweek the campground is less than half full but I believe it will fill for the weekend.
ScoutWe came up for two nights with our tent and ended up wishing we had booked another. Nothing fancy about our weekend, just cooking outside, sleeping under the trees, and enjoying some time away.
ScoutWe’ve spent several seasons camping here and have made so many great memories along the way. We have gotten to know some of the campers around us, and the campground has a nice community atmosphere. The kids always have something to do, and we enjoy sitting outside, cooking dinner, and spending evenings around the fire.
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.
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