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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
