Campgrounds around Warren, Connecticut sit within the Litchfield Hills region at elevations of 700-1,300 feet. The area features densely wooded terrain with numerous streams and small waterways flowing through limestone and granite formations. Summer evenings often drop to 50-55°F even when daytime temperatures reach 80°F, requiring campers to pack layers regardless of season.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation challenges: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers a challenging 6.5-mile blue-blazed loop trail that climbs several peaks with 1,000+ feet of elevation gain. According to one visitor, "The loop hike over the mountains was good, at times more intermediate than beginner and I wouldn't try to go it with younger kids. We did the east side one afternoon and the west the next."
Fishing in local waters: Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground provides direct access to prime trout fishing areas along the Housatonic River. Campers report excellent catch rates during May-June and September-October. As one reviewer noted, "Tons of birdwatching, hiking, river floating... the fishing, peace and quiet of the place was exactly what we needed!"
Paddling opportunities: Point Folly Campground sits directly on Bantam Lake with easy water access. A camper reported, "Clean and quiet. Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island." The east side of the lake experiences stronger winds than the west side, making morning paddling sessions calmer.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Cozy Hills Campground offers individual bathroom facilities at some sites. One camper mentioned, "We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep." The private facilities are particularly valuable during peak summer weekends.
Off-season solitude: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground transforms completely outside summer weekends. A camper shared, "If you go during the week the place is a ghost town." This dramatic difference creates two distinct experiences at the same location.
Wildlife viewing: Black Rock State Park Campground provides good wildlife observation opportunities. While maintaining distance from animals, campers can spot various woodland creatures. The campground's layout with sections of denser forest areas enhances wildlife sightings.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground has minimal connectivity. A camper explained, "No cell phone coverage at any of the campsites (if you care about that while camping)." Some sites at Macedonia require short hikes of 0.5-0.75 miles to reach, while one site can be driven to directly.
Site selection matters: When booking at Hemlock Hill Camp Resort, request sites away from the main entrance road. A reviewer noted, "Great weekend campground. If you like the CT part of the AT it's a great place to camp and get lost in the Litchfield hills."
Weather variations: Windmill Hill Campground experiences significant temperature shifts between day and night. A camper described, "I booked site 5 for the week. Great experience! Quiet woods atmosphere with trail's. Wonderful place to camp."
Tips for camping with families
Pool options: Lone Oak Camp Sites offers child-friendly swimming facilities. According to a camper, "Two big pools, store, bar for adults with live entertainment. Tons of kids activities going on all day." The campground runs organized activities throughout summer weekends.
Easier hiking trails: Black Rock State Park Campground provides family-friendly trail options beyond the more challenging routes. One visitor shared, "Check out Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, Tory's Den, and Buttermilk Falls nearby." These shorter trails offer engaging destinations without excessive difficulty.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Point Folly Campground offers productive fishing areas accessible to young anglers. "Clean and quiet. Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing," mentioned one camper. The shallow areas near the campground provide safer fishing zones for children.
Tips from RVers
Water and hookup access: Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground provides basic services for smaller RVs. One RVer noted, "Being from extremely overcrowded Long Island - we decided to take a week long trip and stay at site 14 at Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground in CT... we were the only trailer in the park."
Site leveling challenges: The region's rolling terrain creates leveling issues at most campgrounds. RVers should bring additional leveling blocks and extend stabilizers fully, especially at sites near water bodies where ground may be softer.
Road accessibility concerns: Many roads leading to the best places to camp near Warren have tight turns and narrow passages. RVs longer than 30 feet may find Lake Waramaug State Park Campground particularly challenging, while Cozy Hills Campground accommodates larger rigs more easily.
