RV campers near Riverton, Connecticut can find diverse options across moderately mountainous terrain with elevations ranging from 700-1,300 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers averaging 75-85°F and cold winters often below freezing. Fall camping brings colorful foliage displays while spring features variable conditions with temperatures between 45-65°F.
What to do
Fishing at Farmington River: Access prime trout fishing at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, located in Pleasant Valley. "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," notes Tom C. The river provides excellent catch-and-release fishing opportunities with "trophy trout."
Hiking at Taconic State Park: The Rudd Pond Area features numerous trails for exploration. "There is a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park," explains Katherine P. The area includes "lots of trails to explore. Many unmarked," according to Erica H.
Swimming and water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities. At Taconic State Park, you'll find "a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals." Lisa S. mentions Rudd Pond has "a nice beach, playground. Kiddie pond...pond for fishing & swimming."
What campers like
Lake access for boats and fishing: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers excellent water recreation. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards / kyacks etc. Worth every penny," reports Mellisa T. The park features calm waters with minimal light pollution, making it "great for stargazing."
Woodsy, spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the natural settings. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, visitors enjoy "nice big private sites, peace and quiet while providing a great location for fishing and hiking." Anthony and Kim C. note this creates a true nature experience, though they caution "bring your bug spray! Bugs and ticks abound."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. At Lake Taghkanic, Seth K. says, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season." Perrin M. agrees: "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have poor or no cell coverage. Katherine P. notes at Austin Hawes, there's "no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it." Similarly, at Prospect Mountain Campground, patrons should be prepared for limited connectivity.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close during colder months. Lake Taghkanic operates from "May 6 to October 15," while Austin Hawes runs from May to September. Some facilities shut down earlier than others, so verify operating dates before planning fall trips.
Site privacy varies significantly: Site layouts and privacy differ widely across campgrounds. Emily M. notes at Austin Hawes, "The sites are spread out enough but you're not completely alone. You hear a lot of cars going by if you're at a site that backs up to the main road."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Prospect Mountain Campground caters to families with children. Sandra S. shares it's "a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
Recreational activities on-site: Many campgrounds offer structured activities. Megin F. reports at Prospect Mountain, "Pool was lovely and refreshing... The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around." This campground also features a "mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' gems."
Beach access for swimming: Several locations provide swimming options. At Lake Taghkanic, campers enjoy a "great beach" though Taylor P. cautions during holiday weekends like "Labor Day Weekend... Very nice beach but packed. Huge parties at the picnic area."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Lake Compounce Campground offers partial hookups for rv sites near Riverton, Connecticut. Ray B. notes it "does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station." Diane R. adds, "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded."
Site layouts and spacing: RV sites are configured differently across campgrounds. At Lake Compounce, "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," according to Tina. She adds, "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may present challenges. Dawn E. from Prospect Mountain advises RVers to scout their routes carefully, particularly during pre-season periods when "there would be more privacy once [the trees] filled out." Consider arrival timing, especially for larger rigs on narrower roads.
