Cabin camping around Chaplin, Connecticut offers varied lodging options throughout northeastern Connecticut's rural landscape. Several state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-minute drive of Chaplin provide cabin rentals ranging from rustic structures to fully furnished accommodations. The region experiences all four seasons distinctly, with fall temperatures averaging 45-65°F and summer temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F.
What to do
Fishing and boating: West Thompson Lake Campground offers excellent kayaking opportunities on its lake and connecting river. One visitor noted, "Take a long paddle up the river and you'll be escorted by hundreds of bluebirds and cedar waxwings. Fishing here is all catch and release." The surrounding nature areas make this a popular spot for wildlife observation.
Disc golf: Several campgrounds maintain disc golf courses on their properties. According to one camper at West Thompson Lake Campground, "We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property. Once the boat races finished each day the camp was very quiet and peaceful."
Swimming options: Campers at Hopeville Pond State Park Campground appreciate the multiple swimming areas. As one reviewer explains, "Public beach with another beach for campers. Store on site for firewood and ice." The separate swimming areas help manage crowds during peak summer months.
What campers like
Large private sites: At Wolf Den Campground, sites offer good separation between camping parties. One camper mentioned, "The campground was clean. They cleaned playground after each family used it. The pool area was well marked cleaned and open." These spacious sites allow for comfortable setup of tents alongside cabins.
Family activities: Brialee Family Campground organizes numerous activities for all ages. A reviewer shared, "There were all kinds of activities (kick-ball, ect) that everyone could participate in, a great play ground, and easy to navigate." The consistent programming makes this a popular option for families seeking cabin accommodations.
Waterfront access: Some cabin sites offer direct water access. A recent visitor to George Washington State Campground noted, "There are canoe sites at the north of the campground. These are tent only. You park and walk about 100 yards to the site. Sites CN02, CN03 and CN04 have direct waterfront on the pond."
What you should know
Booking windows: Most campgrounds open reservations 6-9 months in advance. At popular destinations like Odetah Camping Resort, cabins fill quickly. A visitor advised, "From a massage at the Spa to a fun band by the lake, to Bingo night, mini-golf and awesome ice cream Sundaes... tennis & basketball games, immaculate bathrooms....every night we went to bed tired."
Site differences: Campground layouts vary significantly. At Stateline Campresort, "You have your pick of shady sites or sites with no trees. Kids are welcome." Some cabin areas are grouped together while others are integrated with RV and tent sites.
Quiet hours: Enforcement of quiet time varies between campgrounds. One camper at Brialee Family Campground observed, "For the most part, people are pretty respectful of the quiet time from 11pm-8am with the exception of the occasional door slammers at the crack of dawn."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Charlie Brown Campground offers extensive children's programming. A visitor shared, "Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built in entertainment for the kids!" These structured activities help keep children engaged throughout the day.
Water features: Many families appreciate multiple water recreation options. According to one camper at Brialee Family Campground, "Deep in the woods. Great variety of activities. Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field."
Cabin location: Request cabins away from common areas if early bedtimes are important. At Charlie Brown Campground, a visitor recommended, "If you go to Charlie Brown's request a site by the water. Rain had been sparse so didn't matter our weekend but I would imagine it would be great on a hot sunny day."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal considerations: Waters Edge Family Campground offers different experiences throughout their operating season. A camper noted, "In season there is swimming, but the beach is very small. Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular. There are also some trails for walking/hiking, a basketball hoop, a dump station, and recycling."
Utility connections: Some cabin areas share facilities with RV sections. At Stateline Campresort, "Clean, wooded and open sites some overlook a large pond. Boat rentals, pool, game room available. The site we had overlooked the pond and was perfect." The utility hookups available vary significantly between cabin types.
Late checkout options: Several campgrounds offer extended departure times for an additional fee. At Charlie Brown Campground, "We did a late checkout for $5 extra, but the noon checkout and two dump stations would make leaving on time a non-issue as well."
