Cabins near Southbury, Connecticut sit in the western portion of the state where the Housatonic River flows through rolling hills and hardwood forests. Winter temperatures typically range from 17-38°F, while summer temperatures average 65-85°F with moderate humidity. The region features mixed hardwood forests dominated by oak, maple, and pine, with numerous waterways cutting through the landscape.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Farmington River at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides excellent trout fishing. "Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," notes one visitor. Trophy trout populate the river, though catch and release rules apply in certain sections.
Beach activities: Swimming options exist at various cabin accommodations in the region. "The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool," reports a visitor at Cozy Hills Campground. Kids frequently catch fish in the stocked pond, with one camper reporting "Kids caught about 20 fish" during a short stay.
Hiking trails: Wooded paths throughout the region offer various difficulty levels. At Black Rock State Park Campground, "Lot of good hiking trails with a scenic view and waterfall to discover," says a reviewer. Many trails connect to larger networks, allowing for day hikes of varying lengths.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Several private campgrounds offer improved bathroom facilities. According to one camper at Cozy Hills, "Clean private bathrooms were a plus." This contrasts with state park facilities that typically feature communal bathhouses.
Large sites: Many cabin rental options provide generous spacing between units. At Kettletown State Park Campground, "The sites are very spacious and clean. The park itself is also well kept and clean," according to a visitor. The park's layout allows for family activities while maintaining some privacy between camping areas.
Recreational opportunities: Multiple activity options exist within cabin campgrounds. At Lake Compounce Campground, "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention it's next to the amusement park," reports one camper. Many facilities offer scheduled activities during summer weekends.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most cabin rentals operate on limited schedules. Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground runs "mid May to Labor Day" according to its listing. A visitor noted, "By 12 on Sunday, we had the entire campground to ourselves... in the middle of JULY." Weekdays often see significantly lower occupancy than weekends.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife appear regularly in camping areas. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," reports a visitor at White Pines Campsites. Another camper at Housatonic Meadows mentioned, "We have also seen a bear eating food from the dumpster."
Noise levels: Sound carries differently at various facilities. One camper at Kettletown State Park noted, "Overall, folks seemed to be there in larger groups for celebrations so things were loud well past midnight." Consider site placement when booking if noise sensitivity is a concern.
Cell service: Connectivity varies widely across the region. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, visitors report "no cellphone service," which some view positively for disconnecting from work and technology.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly sites: Certain campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. "Place is perfect for young 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!" shares a visitor at Kettletown State Park.
Swimming options: Water access varies significantly between locations. One visitor at Lake Waramaug State Park Campground notes, "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.)" Research water amenities before booking if swimming is important to your family.
Activity planning: Organized events occur at select facilities. A visitor at Cozy Hills noted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Water and electric connections vary significantly. At Lake Compounce Campground, a visitor notes, "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out." Many state park cabins have limited or no hookups.
Site leveling: Terrain challenges exist at several campgrounds. At White Pines, "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped - I would recommend a drive through if you can beforehand." Bring leveling blocks if staying in an RV.
Site layouts: Configuration of amenities affects the camping experience. "Sites are long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor," reports an RV owner at Lake Compounce Campground. Consider orientation and privacy when selecting sites with RVs.
