Several upscale glamping options near South Kent, Connecticut offer climate-controlled accommodations within natural settings. The area sits in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains at elevations between 500-1,100 feet, creating moderately cool evenings even in summer months. Most glamping sites operate on seasonal schedules with varying winter availability depending on heating capabilities and road access conditions.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 0.65 miles to Bash Bish Falls. Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park provides direct access to New York's highest single-drop waterfall. One camper noted, "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible."
Wildlife spotting: Local fauna encounters. Glamping areas frequently host native wildlife. At White Pines Campsites, visitors should be aware of local wildlife: "Beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours. I'm sure they are fed well."
Watercraft rentals: Free options available. Many glamping sites offer complimentary water equipment. According to a Waubeeka Family Campground visitor, "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 campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Modern amenities. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground maintains well-serviced restroom facilities: "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
Seasonal programming: Weekend activities. Many sites organize structured recreation options. One Thousand Trails Rondout Valley camper shared: "Great place situated in a great area with lots to do all within an hour's drive. Even camping during a pandemic was peaceful & fun!"
Fishing access: Multiple species. The local waterways support diverse fish populations. A visitor to Lone Oak Camp Sites reported: "There are many ways to camp at Lone Oaks. Tenting to a RV, very family friendly. There's a full bar with adult only dancing up stairs in the lounge Saturday nights, and a DJ playing dance music for the younger crowed down stairs."
What you should know
Noise levels: Varied by location and time. Some luxury camping areas can become lively, especially on weekends. One White Pines Campsites visitor observed: "Night fell and the place turned into Margaritaville. The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place and while some have tasteful decor and lights, others not so much. Even 50 yards away from the RV section and I felt like I was in a dance club parking lot."
Site maintenance: Inconsistent across providers. Check recent reviews for cleanliness reports. A Waubeeka Family Campground visitor noted: "This campground has been renovated over the past few years. The camp sites are close but there are tons of activities for the kids."
Reservation timing: Book early for platform sites. Popular glamping accommodations fill quickly, especially elevated structures. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers specific advantages: "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Check event schedules. Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive children's programming. A visitor commented: "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. We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park and it was a convenient yet noisy site."
Swimming options: Varying depths for different ages. Not all swimming areas accommodate all age groups. One Jellystone visitor shared: "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time."
Pack-in necessities: Limited store access. Some locations have minimal provisioning options. A Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground camper advised: "Plan on bringing your own food and cooking. It is a 10 mile drive that takes about a half an hour to complete to get any take-out."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check leveling and access. Lake Compounce Campground offers well-designed RV accommodations: "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded. Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
Utility hookups: Varied availability. Not all sites offer full connections. A Lake Compounce visitor noted: "Campground is only years old. Sites were large enough for RV. NO privacy, but tent sites were ok. Few showers for number of campsites, but very clean. Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."
Off-season advantages: Lower occupancy rates. Consider timing your glamping trip during shoulder seasons. One Lake Compounce RV camper shared: "Very nice campground. Has electric, water and cable TV connections. Clean bathrooms and nice store. It is part of the Lake Compounce Amusement Park. Stayed in September 2021. CG is pretty empty during the week and gets busy during the weekend."
