Best Tent Camping near Putnam, CT
Tent camping options near Putnam, Connecticut include several established campgrounds within a short drive, with both primitive and developed sites available for visitors seeking backcountry experiences. Buck Hill Campground in Rhode Island offers heavily wooded sites along Wakefield Pond that accommodate multiple tents in cluster arrangements, while Chapman Pond Preserve provides a more secluded tent camping experience with direct access to the Connecticut River.
Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Buck Hill provides minimal services with only rough restrooms and porta-potties, requiring campers to be self-sufficient with water and supplies. Some locations like Chapman Pond Preserve offer tent platforms, picnic tables, and outhouses but no potable water. Drive-in access is available at several locations, while others such as Chapman Pond require walk-in access. Fire pits or rings are common at most sites, and many allow fires when seasonal restrictions aren't in place. Campers should verify current regulations before arrival.
The natural setting provides the primary draw for tent camping in this region. The forested sites at Buck Hill offer excellent privacy between the camping clusters, with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and paddling on the adjacent pond. Chapman Pond Preserve provides scenic views of the Connecticut River with good tent platforms in a secluded setting. Selden Neck State Park offers island camping accessible only by boat, with four distinct tent campsites and private outhouses. According to one visitor, "It's about a 20 minute paddle across the river to the island. Once you get to the island, follow the bank north until you spot the sign for your campsite." Seasonal timing affects the experience, with summer offering water activities and fall providing more solitude.