The Connecticut-New York border region near Sharon offers diverse camping environments at elevations ranging from 500-1,600 feet. The area's distinctive microclimate creates relatively mild summer nights with temperatures typically dropping to the mid-60s. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited availability during colder months.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several campgrounds provide direct access to waterfall trails. At Taconic State Park, campers enjoy the short hike to Bash Bish Falls. "Had a couple spots right next to each other on a group trip. There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful," notes Jackie G.
Swimming in natural settings: Lake Taghkanic State Park offers a clean swimming beach with amenities. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days," reports Kurt S. The park charges approximately $15 fee for using personal paddleboards or kayaks on the lake.
Stargazing opportunities: The rural setting provides excellent night sky visibility at several campgrounds. Seth K. from Lake Taghkanic State Park mentions, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Water sports: The region's lakes support multiple water activities. At Lake Waramaug, Ossama B. notes, "Great for kayaking, canoeing, water skiing and more! People were fishing and swimming."
What campers like
Large, flat tent sites: October Mountain State Forest features spacious camping areas. "Sites are varied from grassy meadows by the entrance to wooded canopys uphill. Facilities were good, cleaned frequently. Great trail system starts right at the edge of the campground also," says Faith B.
Privacy options: While some campgrounds have closely-spaced sites, others offer more secluded options. At White Pines Campsites, Sylvia P. found that "Our site was T3 and it was spacious and spread out from other tent sites. There was a tiny creek meandering behind the site and the woods just went on for miles."
Swimming facilities: Most campgrounds include swimming options, but quality varies. Perrin M. appreciates Lake Taghkanic's aquatic facilities: "Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure."
Free paddle sports: Some locations provide complimentary equipment. Annmarie S. from Waubeeka Family Campground shares, "They have free paddle board, kayak, pedal boat rentals, and an inflatable water obstacle course. They frequently do large bon fires and music on the weekends."
What you should know
Site positioning matters: At many campgrounds, your specific site location significantly impacts experience quality. At October Mountain, Desiree M. advises, "What site you get makes all the difference. There are Many, I would say most, Sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise issues. Katrina M. notes about Lake Waramaug State Park, "Monday apparently is trash day in the area for all the homes around the lake. They start collecting very early and the sound really carries over the lake."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From modern to minimal, bathroom quality differs greatly between campgrounds. Mo S. reports about Lake Waramaug, "The swimming area is an absolute joke, unless you are 18 months old, and then its probably perfect. (Extremely small, extremely shallow, and some sand to dig in.)"
Limited cell service: Several camping areas have poor connectivity. G Y. mentions about Lake Waramaug, "Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years."
Tips for camping with families
Dedicated kid activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family entertainment. Stephanie H. explains, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there."
Swimming options for different ages: Look for campgrounds with various water features. Amanda S. notes about Jellystone, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas. Sandra S. says about Prospect Mountain Campground, "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds feature safe biking paths for children. Katrina M. recommends, "Bring scooters or bikes for little kids to use within the camp."
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Electric and water hookups are available at most campgrounds, but sewer connections are less common. Diane R. notes about Bear Creek Campground, "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded."
Dump station access: When selecting an RV site, check for dump station availability. Ray B. advises about Bear Creek, "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region have uneven sites. At White Pines Campsites, Becca Z. warns, "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand."
Site separation: RV sites vary in privacy levels between campgrounds. Natalie N. from Lone Oak Camp Sites reports, "This campground is large and has a variety of sites to choose from. It has a large field for seasonal and large rv's to small wooded sites for tents."
