The camping areas surrounding Unionville, Connecticut sit in the Farmington Valley at approximately 400 feet elevation, with a humid continental climate featuring cold winters and warm summers. The camping season generally runs from April through October, though temperatures in early spring and late fall can drop into the 30s at night, requiring proper insulation and sleeping gear.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides direct access to the Farmington River, a premier fishing destination. As one camper noted, "Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer access to hiking networks. At Onion Mountain Park, campers can find primitive spots with solitude. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent."
Swimming options: Cozy Hills Campground offers a family-friendly pool. "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids. Bathrooms are very clean but very far apart."
Local attractions: The Farmington Valley area includes several points of interest within short driving distance. A reviewer at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground mentioned, "There's also a drive-in movie theater 10 min away (we always tailgate a movie as tradition) it's close to a bunch of quaint towns."
What Campers Like
Site privacy levels: Campsites with more seclusion can be found at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. One camper described, "Nice campground, semi private. The sites are spread out enough but you're not completely alone. You hear a lot of cars going by if you're at a site that backs up to the main road."
Pool facilities: Recreational swimming options are available at several campgrounds. A visitor to Cozy Hills Campground shared, "The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive positive feedback about their bathroom facilities. At Lake Compounce Campground, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
River access: Waterfront campsites are highly valued. One reviewer at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground stated, "A few nice sites, most are ok, some small. Ours backed up to the river and was large but hiking trail along river had a lot of traffic."
What You Should Know
Site conditions: Some campgrounds have terrain issues to be aware of. At White Pines Campsites, a camper warned, "We found broken glass on the walking trail near our tent and by our fire pit which was really dangerous for our dogs."
Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife are active in the area. At Lake Compounce Campground, one visitor reported, "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning."
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly across the region. A camper at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground mentioned, "No cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it."
Site layout issues: Some campgrounds have sites arranged with limited privacy. Lake Compounce Campground has "sites that were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor."
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity options: Family-friendly campgrounds offer various entertainment options. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with specific features for children. Lake Compounce Campground offers proximity to attractions: "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park."
Safe swimming: When traveling with smaller children, consider pool safety. At Cozy Hills Campground, one visitor reported, "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids."
Activity planning: Some campgrounds offer organized recreation. As noted at Prospect Mountain Campground, "Very friendly and a great place for kids. Nice pool with time for adult only swim time."
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: RV campers should research site configurations before booking. At Branch Brook Campground, "Spaces were decent sized. We were in site 16 and it was on the creek which was a decent view and gave us plenty of space to sit outside and for our dog to have space to roam."
Hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At Lake Compounce Campground, "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out. The staff were very friendly and they had some activities like bingo and corn hole the weekend we were there."
Wi-Fi performance: Internet connectivity varies widely between camping spots near Unionville, Connecticut. Branch Brook Campground received this assessment: "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."
Campground roads: Some properties present challenges for larger rigs. Gentiles Campground has "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs."
