Camping around Salisbury, Connecticut centers in the Taconic Mountain region with elevations reaching 2,400 feet at Bear Mountain, Connecticut's highest peak. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night, creating comfortable camping conditions. Winter campers should prepare for temperatures that can drop below freezing with occasional snow accumulation.
What to do
Fishing at Rudd Pond: The 64-acre pond at Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park offers excellent largemouth bass fishing accessible from shore. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," notes Rosie R.
Multi-state hiking: Combine states on your hiking itinerary at Brassie Brook Shelter where trails connect Connecticut and Massachusetts. "We started our hike at the under-mountain trailhead, located right off route 41, and climbed up the mountain. Be prepared for steep inclines, and lots of rocks. After about a mile, you reach a trail intersection, stay left and continue up the hill until you reach the giant sign that reads 'Appalachian Trail - North and South'," explains Nora S.
Stargazing over calm waters: Lake Taghkanic State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports Seth K.
What campers like
Tent platforms for rainy weather: Wooden platforms at several campgrounds keep tents dry during wet conditions. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" shares Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Bear boxes for food storage: Most backcountry sites include bear boxes for safe storage. At Alander Trail Camground, "They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby," notes Kay D.
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained bathroom facilities rate highly with campers. "Superb. Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," reports Perrin M. about Lake Taghkanic.
What you should know
Backpacking requirements: Some of the best sites require significant hiking with all gear. "Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you're looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots," explains a reviewer about Alander Trail Campground.
Weekend crowds: Proximity to NYC brings visitors on weekends. "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," warns John E.
Fire restrictions: Some backcountry sites prohibit fires entirely. "We stayed for one night at Riga, and after hitting the bear mountain summit (right at the big sign), we turned back to spend the night at Brassie Brook. Brassie Brook has a small lean-to as well as about 4/5 campsites located all around. Firepits, toilets but that's about it. Leave NO Trace!" advises Nora S.
Tips for camping with families
Dog friendly campgrounds near Salisbury: Most state parks welcome pets with proper documentation. "If you are traveling with a dog, be sure to bring proof of rabies— they ask," advises Erin B.
Kid-friendly water features: Swimming areas with special features keep children entertained. "[Copake Falls has] two lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," notes Erin B.
Educational opportunities: Local parks provide learning experiences for children. At Macedonia Brook State Park Campground, one reviewer notes it's "perfect for teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges place is clean it has running water has a porta potty."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RVers, choosing the right campground and site location matters. At Copake Camping Resort, "They offer a mix of site types in both full sun and shaded areas. They also have many nice cabins on site," according to April L.
Road closures impact: Be prepared for temporary road closures that can affect large rig navigation. "They also have a tendency to close one of the main roads in the campground for cornhole tournaments which they'd have plenty of room for without closing the road. This closure then means anyone checking in may have to navigate through a really tight seasonal area to access their site," warns a reviewer about Copake.
Hookup variations: Check specific site amenities before booking. "Full RV hookups with 50 & 30amp services," are available at Copake Camping Resort according to Reddy47, but amenities vary significantly between campgrounds in the region with many offering no hookups at all.