North Granby sits at the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains in north central Connecticut, with elevations ranging from 300 to 600 feet above sea level. Camping options near North Granby follow seasonal patterns typical of New England's temperate climate, with most sites open from April through October. Winter temperatures commonly drop below freezing, making the majority of campgrounds in this area strictly warm-weather destinations.
What to do
Fishing the Farmington River: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest offers direct access to the river. "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots... Excellent rates on all sites," notes Tom C. The river is a catch-and-release trophy trout zone, making it popular with serious anglers.
Hiking mountain trails: Several interconnected trail systems link the camping areas around North Granby. "There is a hiking trail with some gorgeous views once you get to the top," reports Amanda D. about the trails at Lone Oak Camp Sites in East Canaan. The area offers access to Bear Mountain, Connecticut's highest peak.
Swimming in forest lakes: Campgrounds with swimming access provide relief during hot summer months. At Tolland State Forest, "There is a small area of sandy beach with a pavilion and grills" according to Cheryl B., while other campers mention the "large clean pool" as a highlight for cooling off after hiking.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Campers frequently rate waterfront campsites highest in the North Granby area. At Tolland State Forest Campground, "We have brought out kayaks and took off right from the site. There are rocks to get into the water but the water is clean and not mucky," says Rebecca D. Waterfront sites typically cost $5-10 more per night but offer direct lake or river access.
Clean facilities: Despite being in forested settings, campers note the well-maintained amenities at several campgrounds. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, "Hot showers and clean bathrooms are available," reports Emily T., while a camper at Prospect Mountain mentions "the bathrooms were clean with sinks to wash your dishes."
Wildlife viewing: The forests surrounding North Granby support diverse wildlife. "Owls hooting every night around midnight," notes one camper at Tolland State Forest. Black bears are present in the area, with Sylvia P. reporting a sighting at White Pines: "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Several campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage. At Granville State Forest, "Bear boxes were provided which was great," according to Rebecca D. Most campgrounds require all food to be stored in vehicles or bear-proof containers overnight.
Strict alcohol policies: Unlike many camping areas, some state forests near North Granby enforce no-alcohol policies. One camper warns about Granville State Forest: "This campground has a zero-tolerance alcohol policy... if you bring beer, you can expect to be kicked out without notice. No warnings."
Limited cell service: Connectivity is spotty throughout the camping areas near North Granby. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, Katherine P. notes: "Last but not least - no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it."
Tips for camping with families
Activities for children: Prospect Mountain Campground offers organized entertainment for younger campers. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," reports Sandra S. Most activities run on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Book privacy-focused sites: Site layouts vary dramatically between campgrounds. At American Legion State Forest, Emily M. advises: "Nice campground, semi private. The sites are spread out enough but you're not completely alone. You hear a lot of cars going by if you're at a site that backs up to the main road."
Bug preparation: Wooded campsites near North Granby can have significant insect activity in summer months. "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!" cautions Katherine P. about Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, reflecting a common concern across regional camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal RV options: For longer stays, White Pines Campsites offers seasonal RV sites from April through October. "We did a three month seasonal Site. Staff is super nice and helpful. We had a nice quiet spot even though we were in the road to the lake," reports John M., who stayed at a nearby campground with a similar setup.
Site selection challenges: RV campers should research site specifications before booking. Kristen L. notes about White Pines: "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive through if you can beforehand." Many campgrounds have limited large-rig sites, with only a handful accommodating vehicles over 35 feet.
Hook-up variations: Electric service types vary between campgrounds. At White Pines, there are full hook-up sites available, but "the picnic table was chained down so there weren't many options to set up having the fire pit and picnic table where they were," according to one camper, highlighting the fixed nature of site layouts.
