Connecticut's northwest region offers diverse camping options within the scenic foothills of the Berkshire Mountains where elevations range from 800-1,100 feet. The area near South Kent experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations with summer averages of 82°F and winter lows dropping to 18°F. Camping conditions vary significantly between seasons, with most facilities operating May through October due to harsh New England winters.
What to do
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds near South Kent offer direct access to hiking paths. At Fahnestock State Park Campground, "there is a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park. There's a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals," according to Katherine P. The park features interconnected trail systems with varied difficulty levels.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the region feature ponds and lakes for fishing. At Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park, "there is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," notes Rosie R. The pond contains largemouth bass and is accessible to campers with or without boats.
Cultural attractions: The area's location provides convenient access to historical sites. At Interlake RV Park & Campground, visitors appreciate proximity to regional attractions. As one reviewer notes, it's "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby." The campground is approximately 20-30 minutes from the Hyde Park area and historic sites.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many reviewers highlight the cleanliness of campgrounds in the region. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, campers appreciate "hot showers after a long day of fishing and swimming in the lake." One reviewer notes, "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
Swimming areas: Natural swimming opportunities exist at several campgrounds. A reviewer at Lake Taghkanic describes it as having "the best swimming experience ever," while another notes "the lake is beautiful and clean." Most swimming areas are operational from Memorial Day through Labor Day, though some remain available to registered campers into autumn.
Camping platforms: Several campgrounds offer raised platforms for tents. Seth K. notes about Lake Taghkanic, "They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season." These platforms prove especially useful during wet weather, as another camper explains: "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks near South Kent, Connecticut operate on a limited season. Cozy Hills Campground runs from April 15 to October 15, while Lake Taghkanic operates May 6 to October 15. Several others close by Columbus Day or early November. Winter camping options are extremely limited in this region.
Site variations: Campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy and amenities. At Fahnestock State Park, "the sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!!" One reviewer advises, "campsites not private at all. Felt like I was sharing my site with strangers," while another notes "this is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site."
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, especially fall foliage period (September-October), advance bookings are essential. Weekends fill quickly at popular parks, while midweek availability is generally better. At Fahnestock, a camper noted, "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Prospect Mountain Campground offers numerous family activities. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'. Kids had a blast!" writes Sandra S.
Water recreation: Many area campgrounds include swimming options. One family that visited Rondout Valley RV Campground reported, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish." Swimming pools are typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some facilities offering designated adult swim times.
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Lake Compounce Campground, families have access to "a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park." Sites with play facilities are often more crowded but provide built-in entertainment for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are standard at most RV parks in the South Kent area, but sewer connections vary. At Lake Compounce Campground, campers note they have "electric, water and cable TV connections" but "does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station." Most campgrounds offer 30-amp service standard with 50-amp available at select locations.
Site access and size: Site dimensions and accessibility differ significantly between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, one RVer reported "our site was even and easy to level on," while others mention some facilities have "sites on top of each other." At Lake Compounce, "sites were large enough for RV. NO privacy" but they have "easy entry, long pull thrus."
Winter storage: Most RV parks in the region close completely during winter months. Those planning extended stays should inquire about winter storage options, as most facilities do not offer this service. Seasonal rentals are available at some locations, with a reviewer noting at Prospect Mountain Campground, "We did a three month seasonal Site. Staff is super nice and helpful. We had a nice quiet spot even though we were on the road to the lake."
