Camping options within 30 miles of Thomaston, Connecticut, span across varied terrain ranging from 450 to 800 feet in elevation. The area features humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, with camping season typically running April through October. Winter camping is limited to year-round facilities like Gentiles Campground, though winter campers should prepare for temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Swimming and beach activities: Lake Taghkanic State Park, located about 70 minutes from Thomaston, offers a clean swimming beach with boat rentals available. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes visitor Mellisa T. at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Fishing for bass: Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park provides good shoreline fishing access with boat rentals available. According to Rosie R. at Rudd Pond Area — Taconic 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!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water."
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking opportunities from easy loops to more challenging terrain. Seth K. observed, "The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low. The town of Hudson is also close by if you're looking to get some of the comforts of a town while you're out and about."
Amusement park access: Lake Compounce Campground connects directly to Lake Compounce Amusement Park. According to Ray B., "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."
What campers like
Family-friendly atmosphere: Prospect Mountain Campground offers activities specifically designed for families with children. Sandra S. shares, "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. 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."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention cleanliness as a highlight at Aces High RV Park. Visitor April L. notes, "Well organized campground with both water front back in sites as well as large pull throughs. Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors. Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it."
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds offer platform tent sites, which provide advantages during wet weather. Rosie R. at Fahnestock State Park explains, "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!"
Proximity to towns: Many campgrounds offer good access to nearby towns and attractions. George L. at Lake Taghkanic mentioned, "Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler and refilling our beers."
What you should know
Winter camping limitations: Few campgrounds remain open year-round in the Thomaston area. According to Jacob S. at Gentiles Campground, "Was here for three months and it was during the winter and didn't have any problems. Great people sell propane on site, and will answer any questions you have."
Site privacy varies significantly: Privacy between campsites can be an important consideration. Ann S. at Cozy Hills Campground notes, "The only downside was the real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw. It was more like staying in a summer cottage colony. Most sites were not wooded and provided no buffer from one to the next."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads. Mae reports about Gentiles Campground, "Roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs. Very wooded area, looked like mostly full timers living there."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. Jess M. advises for Fahnestock State Park, "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
Look for specialized kid amenities: Cozy Hills Campground offers numerous kid-friendly facilities. Jon R. reports, "Family activities, like archery, were excellent," while Ann S. adds, "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."
Consider pool depth: For families with young swimmers, pool depth is worth considering. Rino S. notes about Cozy Hills, "The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Weekday visits for beach access: Busy swimming beaches can reach capacity during summer weekends. Sammi A. shares about Fahnestock State Park, "On July 4th, my partner and I tried to go to the beach, but were told it was at capacity at 3 different points throughout the day."
Scout platforms for tent camping: Platform tent sites can be advantageous for family camping. Mary-Kate L. explains, "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins."
Tips from RVers
Site concrete pads: For RV camping near Thomaston, Connecticut, concrete pads provide stable setup. Matt S. at Aces High RV Park appreciates, "Clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio (I love a clean, level concrete pad!). Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should (other parks should come and take a look at how to do this right)."
Winter RV options: RVers needing year-round camping should consider sites with winter amenities. Michael H. notes, "Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG."
Bathroom access considerations: Not all campgrounds provide equal bathroom facilities. Charlie & Danielle B. at Branch Brook Campground report, "Our site had a 'deck' outside which was great but it had some very weak boards that you could have easily fallen through. They did have mats over those spots but it still felt very unsafe to walk on."
Wi-Fi reliability: Wi-Fi can be crucial for working campers. Charlie & Danielle B. add, "Better wi-fi than most campgrounds. My wife and I both were able to work with mostly no issues, though there were some situations where it would go out. Same with streaming, we could stream a show but it would occasionally have to buffer so it wasn't great but again, better than most campgrounds."
