110 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Litchfield Hills region surrounding Washington, Connecticut contains several developed campgrounds suitable for various camping styles. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, located in nearby New Preston, provides lakefront campsites with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options. Point Folly Campground at White Memorial Conservation Center in Bantam offers more rustic accommodations directly on Bantam Lake. Cozy Hills Campground, also in Bantam, features 178 sites with electric hookups and amenities for tent, RV, and cabin campers. Steep Rock Association maintains three primitive campsites along the Shepaug River for those seeking more secluded experiences.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, typically May through September or October. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground operates from May 26 to September 4, while Cozy Hills maintains a longer season from April 15 to October 15. Winter camping options are limited, with few facilities remaining open year-round. Cell phone coverage can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at more remote locations. Permits and reservations are generally required for all camping areas, and many sites fill quickly during summer weekends. "There is no cell phone coverage at any of the campsites. All of the campsites are right next to the Shepaug River. There is a very crude outhouse between campsites #1 and #2, but none at #3," noted one visitor to Steep Rock Association.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region. Both Lake Waramaug and Bantam Lake provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and other water activities. Several visitors highlighted the peaceful atmosphere at Point Folly Campground, with one camper describing it as "Clean and quiet. Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing." Family-friendly amenities vary considerably between locations. Cozy Hills Campground offers organized activities, a camp store, and recreational facilities, while state park campgrounds provide more basic amenities with greater emphasis on natural surroundings. The campgrounds closest to Washington tend to be more developed, while those in surrounding towns offer varying levels of privacy and natural immersion. Many sites throughout the region have fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water, though specific amenities differ by location.
"While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there."
"We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
from $72 - $122 / night
Check Availability"My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."
"One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "
"Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful state park, very clean .. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers .. stores within a 5 minute drive. Most of the camp ground site are not secluded .."
"The family next to me offered me dinner one night after I spent the whole day working on my RV. Spanish rice chicken the works the plate could barely hold it all."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges place is clean it has running water has a porta potty and festival you don't have to worry because the state of Connecticut"
"Our camp spot was right above the river the flows behind this spot. You can go sit down by the water. But be careful!"
from $14 / night
Check Availability"The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake. "
"Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"
"Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."
"There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"
from $55 - $150 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"We used White Pines as our base while exploring this part of Connecticut and it worked out really well. We spent most of Saturday away from camp and came back tired and ready for an easy evening."
"We visited toward the end of the camping season and loved seeing this part of Connecticut as summer was winding down. The cooler evenings made sitting around the fire especially nice."
from $50 - $62 / night
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ScoutWe visited toward the end of the camping season and loved seeing this part of Connecticut as summer was winding down. The cooler evenings made sitting around the fire especially nice. I would absolutely come back during fall because this area feels made for that kind of trip.
GuideDefinitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
ScoutCame here with a few friends and spent most of the weekend cooking outside and catching up. Exactly what we needed.
ScoutWe booked White Pines because we wanted to spend a few days exploring northwest Connecticut rather than staying in one place the entire trip. It turned out to be a really good home base for that kind of weekend. We headed out during the day and then came back in the late afternoon to cook at our site and relax. One evening we ended up sitting around the fire talking until we realized how late it had gotten. No television, no plans for the night, and nobody staring at their phone. Those are usually the moments we remember most from camping trips, and we had plenty of them here.
ScoutWe used White Pines as our base while exploring this part of Connecticut and it worked out really well. We spent most of Saturday away from camp and came back tired and ready for an easy evening. Made dinner outside, started a fire, and didn’t move again until bedtime. Sometimes that is exactly what you want from a campsite.
ScoutBrought our dog along and really appreciated having a trail we could walk together. It was nice being able to get out for a walk without even leaving the campground.
ScoutI do not recommend staying at this campsite. As you can't drive to the Campsite, as you have to come on a kayak or canoe.
TravelerOverall a superb spot to either stay put and enjoy the camp, park and beach or to use as a base to explore the region. Huge campground, yet peaceful. Online map would make it seem spaces are tight but it is a very big area and so ample room to stretch out your space. Not a lot of privacy as most spaces are out in the open or light tree area but it is not an invasive feeling situation. Very popular for CT families with biking, walking and the beautiful beach right here. Lots of grass, level sites. A few sites have electric but not many and this seems to be the big rig area. Most people are tent or small camper setups. Bathrooms clean, hot water reasonable temp. Dish washing stations at each restroom. Movies at night (kids). The state park is really pretty and well maintained. The area towns are very pretty and remarkably quiet in general (not many tourist traps) and its easy to access various shoreline parks, drives, viewpoints. I'd avoid the spots very nearest the park road as it does get a lot of day visitors to the park/beach. I'm here late August and schools go back this week so midweek the campground is less than half full but I believe it will fill for the weekend.
ScoutWe came up for two nights with our tent and ended up wishing we had booked another. Nothing fancy about our weekend, just cooking outside, sleeping under the trees, and enjoying some time away.
The Litchfield Hills area surrounding Washington, Connecticut sits at an elevation between 500-1,000 feet, creating a diverse camping landscape with numerous waterbodies. Camping spots near Washington, Connecticut operate primarily from May through October, with most facilities closing completely during winter months due to freezing temperatures and limited demand.
Hiking trails with water views: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers campsites adjacent to a stream with multiple hiking options. "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," notes one visitor.
Kayaking and canoeing: Bantam Lake at Point Folly Campground provides water access for paddlers of all experience levels. "Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island," reports a camper. The wind conditions vary significantly between the east and west sides of the lake.
Swimming options: Black Rock State Park Campground includes a swimming beach that tends to be crowded on summer weekends. The park also features several hiking trails with scenic views. "Beach was nice, just a bit crowded," mentions a visitor, who also noted the "lot of good hiking trails with a scenic view and waterfall to discover."
Privacy levels vary significantly: Steep Rock Association offers three widely spaced primitive campsites for those seeking isolation. "Each one is far away from the others. The two that are closest are still divided by several hundred feet of wooded area; you can hear if someone at the other campsite shouts loudly enough, but you can't see any lights," explains a camper.
Clean facilities: Lake Compounce Campground maintains modern bathroom facilities despite being connected to an amusement park. "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," notes a reviewer who appreciated the design considerations.
Fishing opportunities: Many campers highlight fishing as a primary activity. At Cozy Hills Campground, "Kids caught about 20 fish," reports one family, while another mentioned "Fishing on site" as a notable amenity. The ponds and lakes throughout the region support various fish species for anglers of all skill levels.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited or no cellular connectivity. At Steep Rock Association, "There is no cell phone coverage at any of the campsites," while Lake Waramaug has spotty service. One camper noted this can be positive: "Being forced to put away the devices is heaven in my mind. You can drive about 5+ minutes out and get cell service."
Bathroom facilities vary drastically: Some campgrounds offer only basic sanitation. Macedonia Brook provides "No bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps," while Kettletown State Park Campground has bathhouses that "need updating" according to visitors. One camper noted, "This one is really just in dire need of updating."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. Late spring can bring heavy rains that affect waterfront sites. At Point Folly, "The water front sites on the West Side seem to flood easily if it rains," warns a frequent visitor.
Child-friendly activities: Some campgrounds provide organized recreation for children. At Cozy Hills Campground, "Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc." keep children entertained, with one visitor noting it's an "Excellent Family Campground" with "lots and lots of activities for kids!"
Swimming safety: Pool depths and supervision levels differ between locations. Cozy Hills has a "nice pool but only 3 feet deep," making it "very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids" according to reviewers.
Site selection matters: For families, choosing the right site can impact the experience. At Freedom Farm Homestead, sites are spacious enough for family activities, while Lake Compounce Campground offers "long pull thrus" where "you will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded."
Access limitations: Many campgrounds have narrow, steep access roads. At Gentiles Campground, "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," according to one RVer who found navigation challenging.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are available at several locations, but sewer hookups are limited. Lake Compounce "does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station" that's accessible when exiting the campground.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Lake Waramaug, you can get "a VERY large site that easily fits 3 tents," but many sites require significant leveling for RVs due to the natural topography and drainage ditches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Washington, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Washington, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 110 campgrounds and RV parks near Washington, CT and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Washington, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Washington, CT is Cozy Hills Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Washington, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Washington, CT.
What parks are near Washington, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Washington, CT that allow camping, notably Northfield Brook Lake and Hop Brook Lake.
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