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Campgrounds near Oxford, Connecticut include a range of accommodation types from tent-only sites to full RV hookups and cabin rentals. Within a 30-mile radius, several developed campground options can be found, such as Kettletown State Park Campground in Southbury and Lake Compounce Campground in Bristol. These established camping areas offer varying amenities and natural settings, with many facilities providing electricity, water, and shower facilities. The region's mix of state parks and private campgrounds creates opportunities for both primitive camping experiences and more comfortable stays with modern conveniences.
Camping availability throughout the Connecticut region typically runs from May through September, with many state parks like Kettletown operating seasonally from Memorial Day weekend to early September. A camper at Kettletown noted, "Access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom. The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful." Some campgrounds remain open year-round, such as Gentiles Campground near Plymouth, though amenities may be limited during colder months. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend camping during summer months when popular waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell coverage varies by location but is generally reliable in developed camping areas.
The camping experience in the Oxford region features diverse landscapes from riverside settings to wooded areas. Hammonasset State Park Campground, though farther away on the coast, receives consistent praise for its beach access and family-friendly atmosphere. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant," according to one visitor's review. Many campgrounds in the area offer fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. Several camping areas provide accommodations beyond traditional tent sites, including cabins at Black Rock State Park and Lake Waramaug State Park. Proximity to natural features like waterfalls, fishing ponds, and swimming areas represents a common highlight in camper feedback, with noise levels and site spacing varying considerably between campgrounds.
"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 Availability"Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."
"It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
"Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."
"There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"
from $55 - $150 / 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"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"Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
"I had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Sites are pretty close together and the campground is close to a fairly busy road. The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer."
"I 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."
from $55 / night
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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
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.
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.
TravelerTo start, Andrew was phenomenal. I arrived at 6:40 PM and he was able to hook us up with the last campground and was so patient and friendly when answering our questions. Overall staff was great, I saw someone picking up trash after campers checked out. Bathrooms are clean, 1 mile walk from campgrounds to beach area. Very spider and tick heavy if you don’t stay on the walking trail. Campers were very respectful and friendly, overall an amazing first time camping trip. Paid about $32 for a night. Drinking water on site.
TravelerCampground: fairly secluded, forested, breezy with some wildlife. Small camp store. Ingress/Egress: Tight approach with multiple switchbacks and steep grades - if you’re coming in a towable rig over 36’ you might want to take a solo look first. Sites are oddly arranged and there aren’t any FHU sites. Cell: Verizon in spot C9 had 1-bar; we used Starlink for connectivity. Laundry: 3 washers & 3 dryers: $2.50 each. Dump Station: was close by (across the street) but we didn’t need it for our 3 day stay. Bathhouse: across the street, clean and we used it almost exclusively. Noise: Quiet with some small arms fire, but barely noticeable from our site. Site C9: can be viewed from Google street view site is north of the lake in the horseshoe road- some cabins are viewable as well. Site is gravel with composite picnic table, post metal grill and truck rim fire ring. Water pressure- fluctuated 30psi-50psi: hunted constantly. Cabins: available and in good order. They appear to be older, but still functional- mini log cabins $65/night (primitive-no bathroom)
ScoutI was a solo female tent-camper and I stayed at the Austin Hawes campground for 2 nights. I had an excellent experience. The office is open daily from 9-5 and 2 young women were staffing it during my stay. They welcomed me with a smile, answered all my questions and sold me two bundles of firewood for$7 each. I camped in site#22 which overlooked the Farmington River. You could hear the river running by all night long. It was very peaceful. I did not know that this portion of the river offers excellent fly fishing, so it looked like something out of an Orvis Catalog as men(they were all men) in waders with serious fly fishing gear often passed by or were standing in the shallow river doing their thing. It is important to know that BLACK BEARS ran through the campsite at night.(The young women in the office had warned me to be careful with my food, and that bears were often sighted). I am an experienced camper and left no trace of food anywhere near my tent, fire or picnic table. The bears did not bother me. I heard they spooked one family who blew some airhorns, then packed up and left in the middle of the night. There are 2 bathhouses, but one was locked because it is currently under construction. I had no trouble using the 1 that was open for campers. There are 2 female(private) showers, 2 male(private) showers, 2 bathroom sinks and 3 toilets in each house. I had no trouble using them and the facilities were clean. All-in-all, it's a beautiful, but very rustic(no electricity) campsite. I look forward to returning in the future.
RangerWe love Austin Hawes (Also referred to as American Legion). We have been coming here for years, and it is a great spot. Not too far, not too busy, tent sites, trailer sites, and cabins too. It is in a great location with plenty of hiking trails nearby, and lots of options for swimming, fishing, boating, etc.
Camping locations around Oxford, Connecticut mainly operate seasonally from May through September due to the region's northeast climate with cold winters and moderate summer temperatures. The area sits at an elevation between 500-700 feet above sea level, characterized by rolling wooded hills and small rivers. Most campsites near Oxford, Connecticut don't permit camping during winter months except for a few year-round facilities that maintain limited services during colder seasons.
Fishing spots: Kettletown State Park offers creek access for anglers looking to catch local fish species. "Access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom," notes one visitor at Kettletown State Park Campground, highlighting that fishing remains an option even when swimming isn't permitted.
Kid-friendly running space: The large open areas at some campgrounds provide ample room for children to burn energy. "The reason why I said that place is perfect kids? It 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," writes a camper at Kettletown State Park.
Water activities: For campers seeking lake recreation, Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers multiple water options. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones," explains a regular visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna, though caution is required. At Kettletown State Park, a reviewer advises to "watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. :) be sure put foods in the car!"
Clean bathroom facilities: Lake Compounce Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," notes one visitor, highlighting the importance of well-maintained facilities.
Varied site types: Black Rock State Park Campground offers a range of camping spots to suit different preferences. "The sites are varied, you can tent camp, use a camper, or they also have a few cabins you can rent. Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!" explains a camper who appreciated the options.
Weather considerations: Rain can impact camping experiences, particularly in spring and early summer. "This was our first trip in our new to us travel trailer😃. Campground was awesome! Friendly staff and really clean bathrooms and shower area," shares a Lake Compounce camper who enjoyed their stay despite rainy conditions.
Cellphone coverage: Reception varies significantly across campgrounds in the region. A visitor to Steep Rock Association points out: "There is no cell phone coverage at any of the campsites," which can be either a drawback or benefit depending on your perspective.
Site spacing and privacy: Campsite proximity differs between locations. At Kettletown State Park, a recent visitor mentioned: "Site 32 and the upper loop was not great though. The sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent."
Pack entertainment: Limited activities at some sites require bringing your own diversions. A Lake Waramaug visitor suggests: "Bring scooters or bikes for little kids to use within the camp," since some campgrounds have minimal built-in activities.
Choose sites strategically: At Cozy Hills Campground, spacing between sites affects the experience. "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," notes a family camper.
Consider pool access: Swimming options vary between locations. "The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool," advises a Cozy Hills visitor, highlighting the pool's family-friendly depth and the terrain considerations.
Bathroom proximity: Some campgrounds have limited facilities. "Also there is only one set of facilities for the whole place. It's quite a walk to the bathrooms," notes a visitor to Lake Compounce, emphasizing the importance of selecting sites near restrooms when possible.
RV site features: At Branch Brook Campground, site quality varies. "Our site had a 'deck' outside which was great but it had some very weak boards that you could have easily fallen through. They did have mats over those spots but it still felt very unsafe to walk on," cautions a recent RV camper.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out," explains a visitor to Lake Compounce, noting this important detail for RV travelers planning longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Oxford?
The Oxford area offers several exceptional camping options. Hammonasset State Park Campground stands out with its beautiful Connecticut beach just steps from campsites, well-maintained facilities, and proximity to playgrounds, stores, and local shops. For families, Wolf's Den Family Campground provides convenient access to attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera. Other noteworthy options include Kettletown State Park for river access and hiking trails, and Rocky Neck State Park on Long Island Sound for those seeking waterfront camping.
How much does camping in Oxford cost?
Camping costs in the Oxford area vary by campground type and amenities. At Rocky Neck State Park Campground, expect to pay around $33 per night for basic sites with bathhouse access but no hookups. State parks generally range from $20-45 per night depending on residency and site type. Private campgrounds like Niantic KOA typically charge higher rates, ranging from $45-90 per night, but include more amenities such as full hookups, planned activities, and shuttle services to nearby attractions. Many campgrounds also charge additional fees for premium waterfront sites or extra vehicles.
Can you rent tents at Oxford campgrounds?
Tent rentals are limited at campgrounds in the Oxford area. Most locations like Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground and Lone Oak Camp Sites expect campers to bring their own tents. However, some private campgrounds may offer basic tent rentals with advance reservation, though this service isn't widely advertised. Your best option is to call specific campgrounds directly to inquire about rental availability, or consider purchasing camping gear from nearby outdoor retailers if you're planning an extended stay. Many campgrounds have camp stores that sell essential gear, but complete tent setups are rarely available for rent.
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