The northwest corner of Connecticut offers camping sites near Sharon, Connecticut at elevations between 500-2,000 feet. Situated in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, this region features deciduous forests and several rivers, creating diverse terrain for camping. Cell service can be inconsistent at higher elevations or in deeper valleys throughout the area.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Taconic State Park's Copake Falls Area provides access to Bash Bish Falls via a short hike. "Nice campground, friendly staff, great trails around it. Would come back," notes Priscilla M. about the Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area.
Mountain summit views: Trek to Connecticut's highest point near the Riga Lean-To shelter. "Make sure to hit the summit of Bear Mountain; incredible view!" recommends Nora S. about the Riga Lean-To camping area along the Appalachian Trail.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer fishing access, particularly for bass. At Rudd Pond, "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," reports Rosie R.
What campers like
Proximity to small towns: Several campgrounds are near charming New England villages. "Kent is nearby and it is a beautiful town!" mentions Catina C. about staying at Macedonia Brook State Park.
Well-spaced campsites: At Macedonia Brook State Park, campers appreciate the layout. "Well spaced sites. No bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps. And a night sky as dark as you can find in CT," notes Kate.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas with varying facilities. "The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock. Close to great hiking," writes Emily F. about Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area.
What you should know
Limited amenities at state parks: State park campgrounds typically offer basic facilities. "No cell service. Loved the drive to the camp and following the winding brook," reports Neil T. about Macedonia Brook.
Weekend vs. weekday experience: Campgrounds near Sharon have significantly different atmospheres depending on when you visit. "While I would probably skip Macedonia on the weekends in summer since it looks like it could get packed, a little more off season and during the week it was great," shares Marque D.
Platform tent sites: Several area campgrounds feature wooden platforms for tents. At Lake Taghkanic State Park, "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" according to Rosie R., making them useful during wet weather.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas. "They have a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming," Christina M. shares about Taconic State Park.
Fishing with children: Some ponds are particularly good for beginners. "The kids caught about 20 fish. The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly," reports Rino S. about Cozy Hills Campground.
Activity options: Campgrounds with planned activities keep children engaged. "Very nice facilities. Family activities, like archery, were excellent," notes Jon R. about Cozy Hills Campground.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Many state parks have few RV amenities. "This is basic dry camping it is fun but there is no electric or water at the sites only in the bathhouse," cautions Amanda S. about Taconic State Park.
Private campgrounds for amenities: For full-service options, private campgrounds offer more. "Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep," shares Kim T. about Cozy Hills.
Site selection considerations: At Housatonic Meadows State Park, "the site on the north side are the only ones worth staying at," advises Chris A., noting that their Winnebago 1700BH fit well under the canopy of old growth pines and oaks.
Traveler
