Best Campgrounds near Sharon, CT
Campgrounds near Sharon, Connecticut range from rustic state parks to full-service private facilities, with several options located along the scenic Housatonic River. Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground sits directly in Sharon, offering tent, RV, and cabin camping with river access for fishing and boating. Within a 20-mile radius, campers can find Macedonia Brook State Park with primitive tent sites, Lake Waramaug State Park with lakefront camping, and private options like Lone Oak Camp Sites in East Canaan that provide more amenities including cabins and glamping accommodations.
The camping season in northwestern Connecticut typically runs from mid-May through early October, with most state parks closing after Labor Day. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds in this region feature varying terrain from riverside flats to wooded hillsides, with most offering basic amenities like drinking water, fire rings, and toilets. Cell service can be spotty in the more remote areas, particularly in the valleys between the Berkshire foothills. According to one visitor, "Sites are large and spread nicely. There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. Not a resort campground."
Campers consistently rate the natural beauty and recreational opportunities as highlights of the Sharon area. The Appalachian Trail passes nearby, with several trail access points and hiking shelters available for backpackers. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, though some state park sites have limited hookup options. Private campgrounds like Lone Oak tend to offer more amenities, with one camper noting, "This is a very fun and interesting campsite. Sites are large with a good amount of space between them." Families appreciate the proximity to swimming areas, fishing spots, and hiking trails throughout the region, while those seeking more solitude can find it at the less developed state forest campgrounds where sites are more widely spaced and natural features predominate.