Camping cabins near Shelton, Connecticut offer accommodations across western Connecticut's hilly terrain, where elevations range from 350 to 600 feet. The region experiences mild to hot summers with average daytime temperatures between 75-85°F from June through August, with occasional thunderstorms. Most cabin sites are set amid mixed hardwood forests with moderate tree cover providing natural shade.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, anglers access the Farmington River directly from the campsites. "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only," notes one visitor. The campground serves as a hub for serious fishing enthusiasts.
Lake activities: Paddle sports are popular at Lake Waramaug State Park Campground where the water is accessible across the road from campsites. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available," explains a long-time visitor.
Hiking trails: Explore the woods around Black Rock State Park Campground where several paths lead to scenic overlooks. A camper recommends checking out nearby points of interest: "Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, Tory's Den, and Buttermilk Falls."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Hammonasset State Park Campground offers generous camping areas. "Sites are HUGE," mentions a frequent visitor. Another camper appreciates the overall layout: "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant."
Hot showers: Unlike some rustic campgrounds, Rocky Neck State Park Campground provides full bathroom facilities. "Every campsite has its own fire pit with a grill attachment and a picnic table. Beach is a short drive on site and the showers were one site over," reports a camper. Another visitor calls it "a great family campsite with easy to get to activities."
Privacy options: Some cabin locations offer more seclusion than others. At Kettletown State Park Campground, sites vary in tree cover and spacing. One camper advises: "Sites are close together so recommend reserving two for more space. Well maintained and secure."
What you should know
Limited hookups: Many state park cabin and camping areas have minimal services. A Lake Waramaug camper warns: "There is ONLY swimming and biking on a somewhat busy road, no playground. The campground store is likely not going to be open so bring everything you need."
Reservations essential: Lake Compounce Campground fills quickly, especially on weekends. "During the week the CG is pretty empty and gets busy during the weekend," notes a recent visitor. Another camper described the layout: "You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded."
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds report active wildlife. At Kettletown, one reviewer mentioned: "Sites are super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent." At Lake Compounce, a camper reported: "As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Cozy Hills Campground caters to families with children. "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," shares a recent visitor.
Beach access considerations: Rocky Neck State Park Campground provides beach facilities a short distance from cabins. A visitor notes: "Beach is a short walk on site. Note - it is a downhill walk to the beach. The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk."
Space for activities: Kettletown State Park Campground offers room for children to play. "The reason why I said place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!"
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Most cabin facilities also accommodate RVs but with varying hookups. Riverdale Farm Campsites offers full connections. One RVer reports: "Most of the roads are paved, the sites are large and level, there are full hookups, and a dump station."
Site dimensions: Lake Compounce Campground provides pull-through sites suitable for larger vehicles. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," notes one RV camper. Another visitor confirms: "Sites were large enough for RV."
Bathroom accessibility: At Wildwood State Park Campground, the bathroom facilities are convenient but usage can vary. A camper observed: "Bathrooms and showers were not really clean, which was surprising because most people used their personal bathroom/shower in their RV."
