118 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The camping landscape around New Preston, Connecticut encompasses several established campgrounds within a short drive of town. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground sits directly in New Preston, offering tent sites, RV spots, cabin rentals, and even glamping options along the shores of Lake Waramaug. Nearby, Macedonia Brook State Park Campground in Kent (about 7 miles northwest) provides a more rustic camping experience with tent and RV sites nestled among hiking trails. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically accommodate various camping styles, with most offering fire rings, picnic tables, and basic amenities, though hookup availability varies significantly between locations.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with the primary camping season running from late May through early September. "We stayed here many times growing up, and it has begun to get very popular and crowded. I would recommend reserving early to get some of the more private campgrounds on the outskirts and near the woods," noted one visitor to a Connecticut state park. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. The terrain around New Preston features rolling hills and wooded areas, with some campgrounds situated directly on lakes or near streams. Cell service can be spotty in more remote camping areas, though coverage is generally reliable near Lake Waramaug and other developed sites.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, particularly at Lake Waramaug where many campsites offer views of the water. According to one visitor reviewing Lake Waramaug State Park, "Sites are HUGE. Bathrooms, water, showers are close by. You will almost always have a view of the water. There is easy access to the swimming area." However, the same reviewer noted limited recreational options beyond swimming and biking. Several campgrounds in the area feature hiking trails, with Macedonia Brook State Park offering more extensive trail networks for day hikes. Wildlife sightings are common, with reviews mentioning encounters with skunks and squirrels at campsites. Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds and timing—weekday camping typically offers more solitude than weekend stays when family groups are more prevalent.
"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"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"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 Availability"Tall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane."
"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."
from $17 - $50 / 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"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"
"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 Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Quiet woods atmosphere with trail’s. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean"
from $25 / night
Check Availability
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.
TravelerI called as we were 3 hours away for a spot for the night. The lady who answered was amazing and asked everything to pick us the right spot. We showed up after hours and found our spot. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. Bathrooms were extremely clean! I recommend this spot to everyone! Well worth it!
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.
GuideFirst off the cons the train at 130 am is wonderful to get woken up to 2nd the sites are on top of each other 3 not many level sites didnt hear the buzzing at all no daddy long legs but ticks let's talk about how many ticks I got in the park I pulled 7 off of me in 5 nights at that park
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 landscape surrounding New Preston features numerous camping spots set among wooded hills and river valleys with elevations ranging from 300-1,200 feet. The region transitions through distinct seasons, with summer camping temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F and occasional evening thunderstorms. Cell service varies significantly across the area, with stronger coverage near town centers and limited or no connectivity in more remote camping locations.
Fishing access: Lake and river options: At Cozy Hills Campground, campers report excellent fishing opportunities. "Kids caught about 20 fish" during a two-night midweek stay according to one visitor. The campground provides on-site fishing areas stocked with various species.
Hiking trail networks: Varied difficulty levels: The trail system at Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers routes suitable for different experience levels. "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," notes one camper who recommends splitting the route over two days.
Swimming options: Lake and pool facilities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas with specific characteristics. One reviewer at Black Rock State Park mentioned that "the pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly." Pools without deep ends can provide safer swimming environments for younger children or less confident swimmers.
Large, spacious sites: Room to spread out: At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the generous campsite dimensions. According to one camper, "Sites are HUGE. Bathrooms, water, showers are close by." This allows for comfortable tent placement and common areas without feeling crowded.
Watercraft opportunities: Kayaking and canoeing: The region offers multiple water bodies suitable for paddling. A visitor at Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground noted the "fishing, peace and quiet of the place was exactly what we needed!! Tons of birdwatching, hiking, river floating..." The Housatonic River provides a significant paddling route through the region.
Family programming: Organized activities: Cozy Hills Campground receives praise for its structured recreation options. "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc.," reports one camper. These organized programs can help fill time during longer stays or rainy weather.
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the region feature open sites with limited screening between neighbors. One visitor to Cozy Hills Campground noted, "The only downside was the real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw. It was more like staying in a summer cottage colony. Most sites were not wooded and provided no buffer from one to the next."
Seasonal population fluctuations: Weekday and weekend experiences differ dramatically at many camping areas. A Macedonia Brook visitor observed the campground was "hardly anyone around, we had a site right next to the stream" during a weekday stay, while summer weekends see much higher occupancy rates.
Wildlife encounters are common: Skunks appear frequently at several campgrounds in the region. At Point Folly Campground, campers should properly secure food as local wildlife is attracted to campsites. The campground's location on Bantam Lake creates habitat for various animals.
Site selection strategy: Consider distances: At larger campgrounds, location matters significantly. One Cozy Hills visitor advised, "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool." Families with young children should prioritize sites near bathrooms and recreation areas.
Consider bathroom facilities: The quality and accessibility of restrooms varies widely between campgrounds. At Black Rock State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "bathrooms, free showers" but note stores are "within a 5 minute drive" for supplies.
Weekday advantages: Less crowded experience: For families seeking quieter experiences, timing is crucial. One Lake Waramaug visitor recommended: "I like Lake Waramaug for a large group during the week... otherwise, I'd pass." Weekday camping provides more space and relaxed atmosphere.
Site layout considerations: RVers should research specific site dimensions and configurations. At Cozy Hills Campground, one visitor noted "They pack us in pretty tight in some sites," suggesting larger rigs may face positioning challenges at certain locations.
Electric service limitations: Many campgrounds offer limited electrical hookups or specific amperage restrictions. Before booking, confirm that the available power matches your equipment requirements as some sites only provide 30-amp service.
Alternative accommodation options: For those without their own RV, several campgrounds offer cabins. At Kettletown State Park Campground, cabins are popular but come with limitations: "Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!" Visitors should understand exactly what amenities are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near New Preston, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, New Preston, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 campgrounds and RV parks near New Preston, CT and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near New Preston, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Preston, CT is Cozy Hills Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near New Preston, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near New Preston, CT.
What parks are near New Preston, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near New Preston, CT that allow camping, notably Northfield Brook Lake and Hop Brook Lake.
Keep Exploring
