RV camping near Northfield, Connecticut offers access to several state parks with diverse hiking trails and water features. Located in the Litchfield Hills region, campsites sit at elevations between 400-1,200 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cooler fall camping weather in the 50-65°F range. Access roads to many campgrounds remain open from late April through October, though seasonal availability varies by location.
What to do
Hiking Appalachian Trail sections: Near Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, campers can access trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. "The Maven has a Matrix Ventilation System, which provides exceptional ventilation on the pack's back panel. This kept my back from being its usual sweaty mess!" noted one hiker who used the park as a basecamp for a "2 1/2 week Appalachian Trail hike."
Swimming at public beaches: Kettletown State Park features lake swimming, though water quality monitoring may affect availability. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," reports one visitor who stayed in the cabins.
Visiting Hudson River Valley sites: Croton Point Park provides convenient access to the Hudson River and regional attractions. One visitor mentioned, "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood. I would highly recommend it. Oh...and did i say, gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Site selection impacts privacy at several campgrounds. At Beaver Pond Campground, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Access to NYC: Several campgrounds function as basecamps for city visits. Liberty Harbor RV Park offers "excellent access to the City" where "you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!" As one reviewer described, "Location, Location, location. This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else... Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!"
Weather protection features: Raised platforms at Harriman State Park provide practical benefits. "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay," noted a reviewer who appreciated the design.
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears inhabit several camping areas. A Beaver Pond visitor recounted, "'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area. I mean, we are in Bear Mountain, what do you expect?!?"
Changing locations: Campers should verify current information before arrival. For Skyline RV Camp, reviewers warn: "Be advised that Skyline RV Camp has moved to: 50 Noble St, Brooklyn, NY 11222. The original property location at 2 Oak St was sold and is now private property... There no longer is a waterfront view of the NYC skyline when camping at Skyline RV. The website views are misleading."
Pet policies: Rules vary significantly between parks. While most allow pets with restrictions, at Battle Row Campground pets are prohibited entirely. Campers should check current policies before bringing animals.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Croton Point Park, campers appreciate "playground within sight of our camper" which makes supervising children easier. The park offers family-friendly amenities including "cabins and RV sites" with "a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids."
Space for kids: When camping with children, site selection makes a difference. One family noted Kettletown State Park "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!"
Wildlife education opportunities: Multiple parks feature wildlife viewing opportunities. One parent reported, "We enjoyed playing there, especially chasing the Canadian Geese by the lake. We were there in early June, and were almost eaten alive by mosquitoes when we ventured into the woods. Take lots of bug spray and wear long sleeves/pants, even in the summer."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many RVers report mixed experiences with site quality. At Black Bear RV Park, which maintains 74 full hookup sites year-round, one camper noted: "Great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included."
Campground infrastructure: Water systems vary between parks. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, reviewers mention: "It's basically a parking lot with water & electric hookups. Larger rigs will barely have a yard. And don't bet on a private picnic table. On a slow checkout day, you might get lucky enough to not wait in line for the dump station."
Off-season considerations: Winter camping requires additional planning. One RVer at Black Bear RV Park shared: "We are returning to the south after spending a couple months of fall in New England... the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night... At least we had a place to park for the night, and power, but unfortunately it was very overpriced for what we got."
