The Voluntown area features a mix of quiet forests and small ponds throughout Connecticut's rural eastern region. Camping options range from basic tent sites with minimal facilities to developed campgrounds with full amenities. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping offers cooler conditions with occasional rain.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Green Falls Pond provides accessible fishing spots near campsites. "Awesome place nice pond walking distance from site great swimming and fishing," notes Michael C. about Green Falls Campground.
Swimming at local ponds: Several campgrounds offer swimming options beyond the beach at Hopeville Pond. Lee D. reports from Hopeville Pond State Park Campground: "In season there is swimming, but the beach is very small. Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular."
Canoe access sites: For paddlers, Hopeville Pond offers designated canoe-in camping. Jason S. describes these as "tent only. You park and walk about 100 yards to the site. There are only four sites in this secluded section of the campground. Sites CN02, CN03 and CN04 have direct waterfront on the pond. You can launch kayaks, paddle boards, etc right from the site!"
Recreational amenities: Many private campgrounds near Voluntown offer extensive recreational facilities. At Whispering Pines, Eddy B. highlights "the pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!" The campground provides numerous planned activities throughout the season.
What campers like
Quiet woodland settings: The rustic campsites at Mount Misery and Green Falls provide a more secluded experience. Eric C. notes at Mount Misery Campground: "Overall nice campground, some sites definitely better than others. Lots of dogs but people are pretty good about keeping them on leashes."
Waterfront access: Many campers value the ability to camp near water. At Hidden Acres Campground, Erik M. appreciated how sites were "scattered along the river it was beautiful. We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night."
Amenities at private campgrounds: For those seeking more comforts, several private campgrounds offer extensive facilities. Barbara P. describes Hidden Acres as a "large well established and clean. Great mix of seasonal and vacation campers. Nice river with small beach. Arts and crafts for kids."
Well-maintained facilities: Even at more rustic state parks, campers appreciate the clean facilities. Antone R. enjoyed the peace and quiet at Green Falls: "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!"
What you should know
Porta-johns instead of bathhouses: At Mount Misery, Eric C. mentions: "Pit toilets are closed and porta-johns are setup which are very clean." This differs from campgrounds like Hopeville Pond which offer shower facilities.
Varying site privacy levels: Site exposure varies widely between campgrounds. At Whispering Pines Campground, Christina M. noted: "Busy campground with a lot of RV sites on top of each other. Campsite was large and set in the back. Hike to the bathroom from tent site."
Limited amenities at state forest campgrounds: State forest camping is more primitive. Darin K. describes Green Falls as having "large but close together" sites, each with "a rock built fire ring. There are toilets but no showers."
Weather preparation: The region can experience significant rainfall. Michael C. at Mount Misery notes there are "a lot of hiking trails and a big field to play football baseball if you have the people" but preparation for weather conditions is important.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. Sean R. at Whispering Pines cautions: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Seek designated family areas: Some campgrounds have specific sections better suited for families with children. At Strawberry Park, Michael C. reports: "Easy check in right at front gate, Didn't even have to get out of the truck. Was handed map and daily activity list. Lots of things for kids to do."
Consider activity options: When camping with children, campgrounds with organized activities provide additional entertainment. Johnny W. notes about Whispering Pines: "Our site we picked back in January was GREAT! Caters more to the seasonal campers than transients but still a good experience. The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad."
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular pet-friendly campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer holidays. At Hidden Acres, Mary S. recommends: "Definitely a must-camp if you're in the area" with its "petting zoo, craft cabin, arcade, bingo and lots more!"
Look for dog-specific amenities: Some pet-friendly campgrounds near Voluntown offer dedicated dog areas. Rachel D. at Whispering Pines noted: "there is even a very small fenced in dog park which was nice if you want to let your dog off leash to play."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and hookups: RV campers should verify site sizes before booking. Darin K. mentions Green Falls has "good parking for camper but limited for guests." Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs.
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds offer dump stations, though not all. Lee D. notes at Hopeville Pond: "There are also some trails for walking/hiking, a basketball hoop, a dump station, and recycling."
Utilities and connections: Check specific hookup details when booking. At Hopeville Pond State Park, Lee D. observes: "Some sites have water and electric hookups, but the majority of the sites have no utilities."