Camping sites near Voluntown, Connecticut occupy a mixed hardwood forest ecosystem at elevations ranging from 200-500 feet. The region sits at the intersection of several watersheds with soil composition varying from sandy in eastern sections to rockier terrain in western areas. Pachaug State Forest surrounds most camping options with 24,000 acres of woodland dotted with small ponds and streams.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Green Falls Campground provides access to Green Falls Pond for fishing and swimming. "Awesome place nice pond walking distance from site great swimming and fishing spacious sites pretty private," notes a camper about Green Falls Campground.
Water activities: At Hopeville Pond State Park, campers can enjoy the pond for swimming and boating. "Hopeville Pond is a moderate sized state park campground located along a river and offering fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities," reports one visitor to Hopeville Pond State Park Campground. The campground includes "a small boat ramp without trailer parking."
Hiking access: Mount Misery Campground connects to extensive trail networks. "Overall really nice access to the trails for Mt biking or hiking," writes one camper. The campground offers "beautiful big sites in the middle of the forest" with "lots of privacy and space."
Kayaking routes: Many campers use Hopeville Pond as a base for kayaking. One visitor describes paddling "south to the end of the pond and up the Pachaug River, eventually reaching the dam at Pachaug Pond. It's an 8 mile paddle with some tricky spots to navigate, but very pretty!"
What campers like
Private sites: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of Mount Misery. "We love camping at Mount Misery! The sites are private, it's usually pretty quiet, and it's one of the only campgrounds around that is pet-friendly," states a review of Mount Misery Campground.
Clean facilities: At Strawberry Park, visitors note the well-maintained grounds. "Easy check in right at front gate, Didn't even have to get out of the truck. Was handed map and daily activity list," writes a camper at Strawberry Park. "Near perfect level. New fence poles show renovations were consistently done."
Water features: Hidden Acres Campground receives praise for its river access. "We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night," explains a visitor to Hidden Acres Campground. "Back at the campsite it still gives you that roughing it camping feel."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers mention the peaceful environment. "Had a great time solo Motocamping here! The site aren't too close, although I did hear some people through the evening. Once quiet time hit, you could hear a pin drop!" notes a visitor to Green Falls Campground.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Mount Misery offers basic facilities. "Overall nice campground, some sites definitely better than others (avoid site 26 - no shade and right next to the swamp so buggy). There is no check-in booth or staff on site really." The campground has "pit toilets are closed and porta-johns are setup which are very clean."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have background sounds to consider. A camper at Mount Misery notes, "There is a rod and gun club in the forrest and it can be heard throughout the day. Not obtrusive but skittish pups won't like it."
Site selection matters: At Hopeville Pond, location within the campground varies significantly. "Loop F is not along the water, but there the large beach has a parking area, also used by day visitors. The sites in this loop offer more privacy," according to a visitor at Whispering Pines Campground.
Firewood planning: "No firewood available onsite, but there's a hardware store down the street but it closes at 5pm," reports a Mount Misery visitor. Most campgrounds near Voluntown require purchasing wood locally due to pest restrictions.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: For families seeking water activities, consider Hopeville Pond. "There are three sections to this campground: five canoe sites; 16 sites including one cabin behind the ranger station and what I would assume is the main section with 61 sites," explains one visitor. "In season there is swimming, but the beach is very small."
Playground facilities: Whispering Pines offers dedicated children's areas. "The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park," notes a camper. The campground includes "a splash pad and pool, rec hall, a cute little store with fun things for the kids."
Evening activities: Some campgrounds organize family events. "There are weekends that the camp has special things for the kids to do and dj nights, which would be a lot of fun," writes a visitor to Whispering Pines Campground.
Special considerations: One camper advises about Mystic KOA, "Most of the area isn't dog friendly, so be careful if you take your pet. No problem at the campground." The note highlights the importance of checking pet policies for activities beyond the campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV campers should note electrical options. "Some sites have water and electric hookups, but the majority of the sites have no utilities," reports a visitor to Hopeville Pond. The campground has "some sites that have 50A/20A electric hookups and there's a dump station available."
Site dimensions: At Whispering Pines, RVers note the generously sized spaces. "Our site we picked back in January was GREAT! Caters more to the seasonal campers than transients but still a good experience." Some sites require navigation skills as there are "pretty tight turns and big hills for towing your trailer through but it fits."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds near Voluntown have limited operating seasons. Campers at Whispering Pines note, "I believe we camped there too early in the season to fully enjoy the grounds. The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non operational or locked up still."
