149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near North Granby, Connecticut include a mix of developed state forests and private campgrounds with tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. The American Legion State Forest offers tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins with water, electric hookups, and showers available from May to September. White Pines Campsites in nearby Barkhamsted provides camping from April to October with amenities for tent and RV campers, while several Massachusetts state parks like Granville State Forest and Tolland State Forest lie within a short drive, expanding camping possibilities across state lines.
Campground availability in this region follows typical New England seasonal patterns, with most facilities operating from late spring through early fall. The majority of campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend as temperatures drop and precipitation increases. Developed sites at places like Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provide amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities, while state forest campgrounds may offer more basic services. Advance reservations are recommended, particularly for summer weekends when sites fill quickly. As one camper noted about nearby American Legion State Forest, "Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a little community but still quite private."
Campers frequently mention the natural setting and recreational opportunities as highlights of the region. Wilderness areas and hiking trails connect to many campgrounds, with several sites offering water access for fishing, swimming, or boating. Reviews indicate Connecticut's camping options provide good access to outdoor activities despite being a smaller state. A visitor to the region commented, "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country. That being said, it's more rewarding when you find a little gem." Family-friendly tent and RV sites are common throughout the area, with both public and private campgrounds maintaining clean facilities and reasonable site spacing. Many campgrounds feature organized activities during peak season, though some visitors note that sites can be closely positioned with limited privacy.
"We were passing through Connecticut and needed a place to crash. Loved this campsite! Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a litrle community but still quotr private."
"Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots. Definitely need to come back. Great rates on all sites."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!"
"This is over the boarder in mass from ct We did a three month seasonal Site Staff is super nice and helpful We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake"
"However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."
"We got a tent spot and it was perfect since it was the furthest one away and there was no one near us which is probably why we loved it so much bc we were so isolated. a little disappointed in the site"
from $74 / night
Check Availability"Trails are right near the sites so def scope out your spot before purchase. Has a full shower/bath and sink for washing very well kept and water pump rnot to far from the site."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."
"It’s up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it’s not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."
"campground the bathroom was clean and well equipped with toilet paper and soap
we stayed at site 70 which was very spacious and set back from the road so had more privacy, although site 71 is very close by"
"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."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in the cabins and they were clean, and we liked our proximity to the pool."
"I’m more of a quite, in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of camper, so I tend to shy away from commercial campgrounds, but it was easier for me to commute from the KOA than from home when work was crazy because"
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"I wasn't going to come back again but it is very close to my grandkids. All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. "
"Tons of kids activities to keep the little ones busy and great hikes around! Tons of waterfalls in the area and the highest point in Connecticut."
"I happened upon Lone Oaks Camp Site when looking for someplace to stay in north eastern Connecticut."
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
ScoutIt was a hot one! The pool was crowded but that’s to be expected when it was 96 for three days. Clean, fun, and friendly. My son said it was the best campground so far.
ScoutClean campground, lots of sites. Lots of activities for the family. No pool, but clean showers. Quiet.. but I was here when it was pretty empty. Close to highways.
LegendPros- easy on off of the interstate. Very nice people! Nicely kept grounds. Cool camp store. Nice playground and green space. Scenic small river runs along the back of the property. Beautiful surrounding area!
Cons- swimming isn't allowed in the river! It's crystal clear and deep in spots right next to camp sites. Crushing blow that we couldn't play in it. Sites pretty tight. Moderate highway noise. Only full hookup sites are up by the highway without any nature to speak of.
If you are like us and want to play in the creek, drive or walk a half a mile up the road and take a little path right before the low bridge. Great swimming hole in some of the clearest water I have ever seen.
TravelerDue to the heat wave, I opted not to spend the night, but we did roll through and check out the area. First thing we noticed is how close and open the sites were, with a few exceptions. I attached photos of the more secluded sites I plan to choose next time. Site 49 is what I had reserved and it was large and partially secluded. The bathroom buildings are boarded up across the campground and state park with port o potties in front. I was not eager to check those out… a bucket started feeling like the safer option lol It was quiet but on the more secluded sites, there was ample road noise and you could see the road from some sites. I didn’t get a chance to look for the walkway to the park and river, but I plan to next time. The state park and river nearby was beautiful and quiet and serene with smattering Fourth of July picnics. Overall, I plan to return here when the weather is more cooperative and my car camper is better equipped :)
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!
ScoutI have 4 kids, 8 and under and they had an absolute blast. We will definitely be back.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tent camping options are available in North Granby?
North Granby and surrounding areas offer diverse tent camping experiences. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides secluded tent sites with a community feel while maintaining privacy among the trees. They offer amenities like ice and firewood for purchase. For a more rugged experience, Macedonia Brook State Park Campground is excellent for wilderness skills practice with basic facilities like running water and portable toilets. Both locations are tent-friendly and offer the natural Connecticut camping experience.
What amenities do North Granby campgrounds offer?
Campgrounds in the North Granby region provide varying levels of amenities to suit different camping styles. Wolf's Den Family Campground offers access to the Connecticut River for boating enthusiasts and is conveniently located near attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House. For those seeking more basic facilities, Prospect Mountain Campground provides essential amenities like water and toilets while being RV-friendly. Many campgrounds in the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, though amenities vary by location.
Where are the best campsites in North Granby?
The North Granby area offers several exceptional camping options. Wilderness Lake Park stands out as a hidden gem in Connecticut with secluded sites and a peaceful lake setting. For those seeking family-friendly environments with organized activities, Lone Oak Camp Sites is a fantastic choice with decades of positive experiences from returning campers. The campground is near hiking trails, waterfalls, and Connecticut's highest point, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore beyond their campsite.
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