The Plymouth area of Connecticut sits in Litchfield County at approximately 800 feet above sea level, characterized by rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and small streams feeding into larger water bodies. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler nights with occasional frost. Cell service varies significantly across camping spots near Plymouth, Connecticut, with stronger connections at valley campgrounds and reduced coverage in more remote forest settings.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground offers access to high-quality trout fishing along the Farmington River. "First time here this past fourth of july! Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," notes a camper who visited the Austin Hawes Memorial Campground.
Hiking trails: Explore the varied terrain around Kettletown State Park, which features both flat and hilly trails. "Beautiful trails, flat & hilly," reports one visitor, while another mentions, "The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful." The park offers both quick nature walks and more challenging routes.
Swimming options: Beyond established campground pools, consider the swimming area at Black Rock State Park Campground. A camper shares, "Beach was nice, just a bit crowded," while another mentions the park has "fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails." For families seeking alternatives, "If you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road. It's a day use only park-no camping- but the lake is gorgeous and there are very few people there."
Paddling excursions: Several campsites offer direct water access for canoes and kayaks. Point Folly Campground provides a "Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island," according to one visitor. At Lake Waramaug, a camper notes, "If you like lakes and water sports, make sure you target this place. Great for kayaking, canoeing, water skiing and more!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cozy Hills Campground consistently receives praise for its maintenance. One camper comments, "Clean, well maintained camping," while another notes, "Very nice facilities. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community." The campground features "Sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel."
Well-spaced sites: Several camping locations near Plymouth provide good separation between campsites. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, visitors appreciate that "Well spaced out lots, you have a lot of privacy," and another camper mentions it has "nice and large" sites with "room for trailers."
Water proximity: Sites with water views tend to be most popular across the region. At Point Folly Campground, campers enjoy direct lake access: "The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families." However, be aware that "the water front sites on the West Side seem to flood easily if it rains."
Seasonal activities: Many Plymouth area campgrounds offer planned events during peak camping months. According to a visitor at Cozy Hills, "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc." Family-friendly activities are typically scheduled on weekends during the May-September camping season.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Campers should be prepared for wildlife interactions, particularly after dark. At Lake Compounce Campground, one camper reported, "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning."
Site conditions: Campsite quality varies significantly across the region. At White Pines Campsites, a camper noted specific concerns: "When we got to our spot, it was covered in hundreds and hundreds of nails and broken glass. Maintenance ended up having to get a shovel to get most of the nails up but we still spent the first few days of our stay picking up nails and glass from every corner of our site."
Cellular connectivity: Communication options differ widely between campgrounds. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, campers should note there is "no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it." This contrasts with Branch Brook Campground where "Better wi-fi than most campgrounds. My wife and I both were able to work with mostly no issues."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly during spring and fall camping seasons. Night temperatures can drop significantly even during summer months. During heavy rains, some campsites experience drainage issues.
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Lake Compounce Campground offers excellent amenities for children. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park," reports one camper. Families seeking water play should know that some pools have depth limitations, as one visitor to Cozy Hills noted: "Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for younger campers. Black Rock State Park Campground has "a variety of sites available, from open field sites to more wooded and private areas. The campground also has a lake for swimming, trails for hiking, and some nice quiet areas for fishing."
Safety considerations: Parents should evaluate each campground for specific hazards. At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, one camper warns: "Watch your children, cars go racing through the campground!" At other locations, water safety remains a concern, particularly at unfenced water features.
Activity planning: When camping with children near Plymouth, structured activities provide entertainment during downtime. Cozy Hills Campground offers "Family activities, like archery, were excellent," according to one visitor, while another mentions, "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Branch Brook Campground, RV campers report mixed experiences with site quality. "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," notes one visitor. Review campground maps carefully before booking.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are standard at most campgrounds, but sewer connections vary. At Lake Compounce Campground, "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out." Another camper confirms, "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."
Maneuverability: Larger RVs face challenges at some Plymouth area campgrounds. Gentiles Campground has "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," according to one visitor. When booking, confirm road conditions and site dimensions for your specific vehicle.
Seasonal considerations: Several RV-friendly campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Most close by mid-October, though Gentiles Campground in Plymouth remains open year-round for winter camping, with one visitor noting they "Was here for Three months and it was during the winter and didn't have any problems."
