The South Kent area sits in Connecticut's northwest corner, surrounded by the Berkshire and Taconic mountain ranges. The region experiences warm summer nights with average temperatures in the mid-70s and cool fall camping with lows in the 40s. Many campgrounds in this region offer waterfront sites with varying levels of amenities and access to multi-use recreational trails.
What to do
Kayaking and water sports: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground has excellent water access for paddlers. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available," notes a reviewer who has camped there for over 20 years.
Hiking trails: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers trail systems with moderate difficulty ratings. "The loop hike over the mountains was good, at times more intermediate than beginner and I wouldn't try to go it with younger kids. We did the east side one afternoon and the west the next," shares one camper.
Fishing opportunities: At Point Folly Campground, anglers enjoy direct lake access. "The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers, fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake," reports one regular visitor.
What campers like
Riverside campsites: Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground offers sites with natural water features. One long-term visitor mentions, "Tons of birdwatching, hiking, river floating... the cabins look great also."
Site privacy: Some campgrounds provide more secluded options than others. At Steep Rock Association, a camper notes: "There are three campsites; two that require short hikes (.5 miles and .75 miles, respectively) and a third that can be driven to. Each one is far away from the others."
Dark skies: For stargazers, Macedonia Brook provides exceptional night visibility. One camper points out the "night sky as dark as you can find in CT," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts or those wanting to escape light pollution.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate from late May through early September, with a few extending into October. Lake Waramaug has limited services outside peak season as "the only on-site services are firewood and ice sales. The little food shack is out of business."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically across the region. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, "You can drive about 5+ minutes out and get cell service," according to one reviewer who notes that being disconnected is actually part of the appeal for many visitors.
Wildlife encounters: Bears, skunks, and other animals frequent several campgrounds. A Macedonia Brook camper cautions: "As we were walking back up to our tent there was a small bear within feet from us that we almost didn't see!"
Bathroom facilities: Varies significantly between locations. Kettletown State Park has "bathhouses in real need of updating," with one reviewer noting "CT should really invest in better quality bath houses."
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility considerations: Kettletown State Park Campground offers spacious areas for children. "The reason why this place is perfect for kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" explains a regular visitor.
Swimming options: The swimming areas vary greatly in size and quality. At Lake Waramaug, "The swim area is marginal- best for little ones," while a camper at Kettletown mentioned 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.)"
Activities for kids: Cozy Hills Campground offers organized events for 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," reports a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Cozy Hills Campground, "They pack us in pretty tight in some sites," notes one RVer, recommending advance research of specific site dimensions before booking.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are limited at many state parks. Lake Waramaug has restrictions for certain vehicles as "they make your life miserable and prevent you from camping in the front row where the sites are larger, level, and have a lake view" if you have a popup camper or larger rig.
Leveling challenges: Terrain at many campgrounds requires preparation. One Lake Waramaug camper noted that Site 11, "while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over."
Traveler
