We were able to book site 112 at the last minute and the staff waited for us to arrive. Although they were very friendly, they dropped the ball when it came to cleanliness and park security. We had other campers arrive back at their tent sites across from ours at 11pm and they were inconsiderate of all the sleeping campers with their lights already out. After Midnight I called the office and emergency line but got only the office answering machine. There was a host in a site 2 down from the party and nobody came to address the noise. I had to go and ask them to quiet down twice and lower their spotlight they were using to cook with. They stayed up (about 15 of them) til after 2am. I did email the owner and let him know the situation so I was able to contact someone about it, and he was going to check into it and where the ball was dropped by the staff not patrolling the campground like he said it was supposed to be. We had water and a 15 amp power box at our site and it was great for a tent but not for anything else. The sites are very close together. If you have kids, they have a lot of things for them to do, but when you want to get sleep, it wasn’t the beat place to stop.
Spent the weekend camping with friends and we really enjoyed our time at Clarence Fahnestock. We were lucky our site was secluded from everyone else and we were surrounded by lots of trees. They also have community sites if that’s your thing. The bathrooms were fairly clean but only 2 stalls so sometimes got a bit crowded. The beach across the way was great and had its own bathrooms and a small concession stand. Overall very pleased and would definitely go back.
Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins. Small store in park that sells firewood and ice and a few other things you may need. Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails. Bathrooms on site as well as showers. Some sites are close together, but there are a few a little more secluded and set back. Fire pits are great. Can’t wait to camp here again!
Great place that does after school programs and summer camp for children. As far as I know there is no public camping here.
Very convenient if you want to go to the beach every day, but the campsite itself is very busy and crowded, usually with a lot of families and kids. Can’t use hammocks here, and you need to rent a fire pit. Nice if you want the location, but not the best for actual camping
Wife and I stopped here as our halfway point to Maine from Baltimore. We do not regret it! We got there late and couldn't check into a normal site but the park did let us use the emergency stop off area to set up a tent. The ESO area was located in the park and we had a nice shaded field right near the bathhouse to set up. Full access to the bathhouse and park facilities. It's $14 cash to use the ESO and well worth it if you need a place to stay on a extended trip. We can't wait to come back for a longer stay! We had to be packed up by 8am which was no problem because we went down to the beach in the morning and sat by the water. The park opens to public at 8 so we had almost an hour without any real crowds. The staff was nice and the facilities were clean, wish we could have stayed longer. Great place for families and don't forget your bikes! Very flat and plenty of riding!
We stayed for 4 nights during the week, and it was the quietest campground we've ever stayed in. We were told by a seasonal that its a whole different story on the weekend. There are 2 pools and lots of games that they provide the equipment for for free. Bathrooms were clean. Most sites are a good size. Fire pits are nice and big made with large rocks.
A lot of it is seasonal, but it didn't feel like it like others we've stayed in. People were friendly.
The owner and staff were very friendly and helpful. A branch fell on the camper, and the owners son came right down and checked it out.
Our only complaint would be the spot they put the 5th wheel our cousin brought. It was too close to the road, and they wouldn't let him pull in so we were facing each other even though it would have easily worked out.
We stayed here for a week, the store is not big but has the necessities, there are 2 convenience stores nearby, has a playground for kids, a nice size pool and activities for kids of all ages they had a teen pool party the weekend we stayed, and they had an event to make suncatchers in the morning, they had a Thanksgiving dinner though we did not participate but looked like they had a great turn out, it has bathrooms and showers that you have to pay a quarter per 5 mins seemed more like 10
Beautiful State Park, Nice clean Beach and Lake, Bathroom and showers were clean.
We had a family camping trip with lots of kids of all ages, the walk in sites are not too far off the road so it was easily manageable.
Hawes is one of the few campgrounds in CT that's dog friendly. The sites are nice and large, with room for trailers, and they also have a few cabin sites as well.
There is access to the Farmington River from the campground for your fishing and paddling pleasure.
In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!
The camp office only sells ice and firewood, but there's a Stop and Shop nearby, as well as a couple of general stores.
Last but not least - no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it.
A clean and for the most part quiet camp spot. However it is near an electrical plant that has a hum all day & night—makes for great white noise when sleeping.
There is a road that seems to house construction vehicles that were busy going by early evening and early morning.
The park is great if you are traveling and need to pull off the interstate to rest your head and get a shower. The bathrooms were very clean.
The staff were all incredibly nice and helpful. I felt safe in this campground.
The photos people posted are deceiving as they are taken from other places and not right in the campsite.
I would stay here again when passing through but would not make it a multi day stay.
My family go every year and ALWAYS have fun! Whenever there is any problems, the owners are always there to help! They always have have something for everyone. I highly recommend!
Nice clean well run campground. Entertainment all weekend with lots of staff. Play areas, pool over 21 bar area bands etc. well worth a visit and close to berkshires
The beach area is very user-friendly with several parking lots as well as pavilions to break from the sun. Large bathrooms with showers and dressing rooms complete the amenities and several vending machines for snacks are available. Lots of shells and rocks so bring shoes.
In addition to the beach, there is a beautiful area adjacent known as Meig's Point. It is here you can follow a short trail through a partially wooded area straddling the beach. The beach is littered with boulders deposited by the glaciers. The views are beautiful and the rocks and stony beach give a connection to the time of the glaciers. Two information kiosks help to explain the evolution of the area. Across from here is a bucolic salt march. Beyond that is the nature center, another area to investigate.
Plenty of amenities. Many types of sites to choose from. The showers could be more convenient. The first site they offered us has a tree growing in the middle of it, which really should be cut down to allow access. The site we moved to was better. However, Saturday night a large overnight party arrived, set up speakers and played loud music for most of the evening. So much for a peaceful camping trip.
We biked from the Chester ferry to Devils Hopyard campground, at the north part of the park. We reserved by phone, site number five which ended up being a good spot. There are no neighbors to the right of the site but the porter potty‘s are right there.
There is no running water or electricity but the campground still served its purpose. The waterfall was a quick walk away and you could hike down to the river for a quick dip. The river isn’t deep enough for a full swim but still was good enough on a hot day.
There is a general store in Hadlyme about 4 miles away. Other than that there are not many options for food or supplies. A woman at the general store mentioned the campground recently reopened. Based on the hike we did around the state park it appeared a storm had ripped right through the area.
All in all, this car camping or bike camping campground was a solid option.
I’ve gone here 3 times in 2 years and my kids love it can’t wait to go bAck I hear they built a mini golf course
Very friendly family owned campground. Spacious sites that are not crammed together. Great trout fishing down the road. Everything you need is on the grounds. Swimming pool, kayaks and boats on the pond.
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. They provide ice and firewood which is cool. Loved our camp site, lots of trees around too. Was very buggy so bring bug reppelant! Hot showers were fab and they have water and toikets too. Very easy to drive too as well snd friendly staff on site avail till 6pm. Great spot. Liked that the toilets were close from every site!
Came in on MetroNorth from NYC then took a pre-arranged taxi ($25 flat rate) to the campground. Check-in was fast at the registration desk, and they sold bundles of wood for$6. The campsite (#040) was private, but was located next to the Nature Center and a water spigot, so it was not a super quiet place. The site was littered with small pieces of trash and there was a folding chair someone left open beside the firepit when we arrived… not ideal.
However, the site itself was solid- it is surrounded by forest, and is at the top of a small ridge above Pelton Pond, so there was a pretty consistent breeze (few bugs!) and the soft sounds of bullfrogs at night. A tree with a couple medium-size dead limbs was above the ideal place to pitch the tent. The site comes with a picnic table (it was in OK shape) and a fire ring with removable grate, as well as a standing-level charcoal BBQ grill. This site and several others on the opposite (west) side of Pelton Pond had easy access to the 1.5 mile Pelton Pond hike loop. There was plenty of dry kindling around the site, which was a huge help because the wood bought from the Park hissed and didn't really get burning (damp wood? fresh cut?).
The park rangers told us the plumbing had been re-done in the past year, so the water fountains and water spigots were in great shape and provided cold, clear water. The bathrooms were clean and well-kept (saw toilet bowl cleaner in the morning), no stalls ran out of toilet paper, and there was soap most of the time at the sinks. We did not use the showers, so can't speak to those. There are even dish washing sinks available with hot running water.
We walked 20 min from our site to the beach across the 2-lane highway. The lake is clear and sandy (some rocks in sand on shore, but standard for imported sand), and many families seemed to have traveled up for a day trip. There are facilities and a small grill (burgers, popsicles, etc.) at the beach.
Overall, the campsite was pleasant and it was peaceful during quiet hours (10pm-7am) on both Friday and Saturday nights. Removing one star for the lack of care at the site itself (litter, trash around when we arrived) and the poor firewood quality. I would recommend this campground to those looking for a quick trip out of the city, to people new to camping, or to use as a base to explore the Hudson River Valley if you have a personal vehicle.
Def the best campsite in the area very secluded in comparison to the other sites available. Originally booked site No. 9 but when we got there the park ranger was awesome and let us switch last second. 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. Every site has a huge bear box and some sites you can park on but not all sites.
There is lots to do at the campground especially for kids. Each weekend has a big schedule of events- farmers’ market, themed activities and a band. In addition there is good fishing on the pond, mini- golf, pool and splash pad, etc. Kids are not bored here! Most sites are even and good sized.
It’s a camping resort, but it’s got it all
Exactly what you need for car camping. Extremely friendly staff with a nice swimming area. Must buy wood on premise which can be tricky when you have a late arrival. Probably the cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever used at a state park.
My husband I camped here for a weekend getaway and we wanted hookups being it was Columbus Day Weekend. This is a parking lot with grass. The Men’s room was so disgusting that my husband refused to use it, actually he couldn’t ( there is a camper who is a dirty bird) which is not a good first impression. This is a residential park with older travel trailer residences. There was a nice back field area. The shower houses and toilets are very dated. I like to proximity to the city of North Hampton. We had great meals in town. The staff here is great, the other campers were nice. They had a Halloween/trick or treat night, fire truck rides it’s very kid friendly. We didn’t like being right on top the other rvs, our sewer pipe was in front of my neighbors picnic table. There was 30/50 amps, water and electric and WiFi! This campground is “in the country” plenty is sightseeing and hiking opportunities in the area.
We’ve been going to Hammonasset for years as a large family gathering. Most sites don’t have hook ups so you have to run off battery and water storage tanks if you have a RV. My biggest gripe is lack of any enforcement. No one enforces the parks rules so some groups tend to be rowdy later in the evening, children on bikes darting in front of moving cars. Nice thing is it is fairly inexpensive and there’s several beaches to choose from.
Quiet and secluded but not too much. This is our families favorite camping location. On the pond at Waters Edge. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge.
Good place. They weren't completely ready for Memorial Day. Extreme cancelation policy.
Well organized campground with both water front back in sites as well as large pull throughs. Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors. Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it. It was a quiet area with ponds and creeks and a generally relaxing setting. It has a clean playground and well maintained pool as well as some walking paths, large grassy areas, pavilion and volleyball court. All sites but one (#67) are full hook up. Some seasonal sites but all were tasteful and not trashy looking. We enjoyed the shade trees on our site (#3) and noticed many sites had similar trees, but the owner keeps them trimmed to not interfere when parking on your site. There is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it! Local kayaking areas and about 30 min to Foxwoods Casino, even closer to Mohegan Sun. Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium are also not too far. Nearby (5min drive) is also a fun looking place for mini golf. Will definitely be back!