Camping sites near Riverton, Connecticut primarily feature a mix of state forest campgrounds and private facilities within a 20-mile radius. The region sits at elevations between 700-1,500 feet with the nearby Berkshire foothills creating varied terrain for campers. Temperatures typically range from 40-50°F at night even during summer months, creating comfortable sleeping conditions but requiring appropriate gear.
What to do
Fishing the Farmington River: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest provides direct river access. "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 one camper. The river is classified as trophy trout water with catch-and-release regulations.
Hiking nearby trails: Several miles of marked paths run through the region, including the Henry Buck Trail. Skyridge Trails Campground features "Beautiful swimming pond and a serene fishing pond located on site" according to visitors. Most trails in the area are moderate difficulty with 200-400 feet of elevation gain.
Visit local general stores: The regional stores provide more than just supplies. "The Pleasant Valley General Store down the road is great. Provides everything you need in addition to live bait and even a rod and reel to purchase if you forget yours!" writes a camper from American Legion State Forest.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-separated camping spots. At White Pines Campsites, "We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site." Site dimensions typically range from 30-50 feet with varying levels of shade.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature water recreation beyond the Farmington River. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "Pool was lovely and refreshing. I do wish they had more bathrooms though. Especially by the pool!!!" The swimming areas typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Fishing access: Multiple campers highlight the fishing opportunities. "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only," notes a visitor to American Legion State Forest. Most fishing locations are accessible within a 10-minute walk from campsites.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October. "We stayed from F-Su. We got a tent spot and it was perfect since it was the furthest one away and there was no one near us which is probably why we loved it so much bc we were so isolated," writes a visitor to White Pines.
Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in warmer months. "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!" warns a camper at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the region. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," notes a White Pines visitor. Many campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage, particularly at state forest sites.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Families often prefer sites with recreational options. Lone Oak Camp Sites offers "Two big pools, store, bar for adults with live entertainment. Tons of kids activities going on all day." These activities typically run on weekends from late June through August.
Check site proximity: Many family-friendly sites have trade-offs between amenities and privacy. "We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake," writes a seasonal camper at Prospect Mountain Campground. Sites with numbers 29-35 at American Legion are noted as better for families.
Look for bathhouse access: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Lake Compounce Campground, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper." State forest facilities typically offer basic options compared to private campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Not all campgrounds offer full RV amenities. Lake Compounce provides "electric, water and cable TV connections" but "does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station." Most sites have 30-amp service with limited 50-amp availability.
Site layout considerations: RV sites often have specific orientation challenges. "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor," notes a Lake Compounce camper. Most RV sites are 40-60 feet in length with varying widths.
Seasonal availability: RV camping is more limited during shoulder seasons. "CG is pretty empty during the week and gets busy during the weekend," shares an RVer at Lake Compounce regarding September visits. Most campgrounds reduce staff and services after Labor Day.
