114 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Washington Depot, Connecticut ranges from state park tent and RV sites to private campgrounds with cabins, all within a 30-minute drive. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground in New Preston and Macedonia Brook State Park Campground in Kent offer tent, RV, and cabin accommodations set among the wooded landscapes of western Connecticut. Additional options include Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam with 178 sites for tents, RVs, and cabins, and Point Folly Campground on Bantam Lake, known for its waterfront sites.
Camping is primarily seasonal in this region, with most state park campgrounds operating from late May through early September. "The sites are much farther away from the comfort stations than most campgrounds we have been to," noted one reviewer about a nearby state park, highlighting the importance of understanding amenity locations. Private campgrounds like Cozy Hills typically extend their seasons from mid-April to mid-October. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Most campgrounds provide drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, while amenities like showers, electric hookups, and dump stations vary by location. Cell service can be spotty in the more remote camping areas, particularly in Macedonia Brook State Park.
Macedonia Brook State Park receives high ratings from visitors who appreciate its natural setting and hiking opportunities along the park's trail system. Reviews indicate the campground is well-suited for teaching outdoor skills and wilderness appreciation. Lake Waramaug campers benefit from lake access with swimming areas and scenic views, though reviews mention the sites lack privacy during busy periods. A review of Lake Waramaug noted: "Sites are HUGE with easy access to the swimming area, but wouldn't even try to stay here on a weekend unless you like seeing/hearing your neighbors' every move as there is zero privacy." Throughout the area, campers should secure food properly as wildlife encounters with raccoons, skunks, and other animals are common at most campgrounds.
"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"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"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"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"Tall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane."
"The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods."
from $17 - $50 / night
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ScoutI was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy. Had smoke from the Canadian Wildfire which made for a good sunset
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
TravelerWe arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
TravelerI called as we were 3 hours away for a spot for the night. The lady who answered was amazing and asked everything to pick us the right spot. We showed up after hours and found our spot. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. Bathrooms were extremely clean! I recommend this spot to everyone! Well worth it!
GuideTall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane. The campground is landscaped and maintained beautifully. the highlight is the river, ever-present in sound. The primo sites are on the northern end , where most sites are right on the water, and just a small descent. Bathrooms are good, not great. Showers are push button automatic, water was warm. We have a small RV, the dump site is up the main road about a 1/2 mile in a turnout. Free for campers, on your honor. At office were college aged young men and women in very casual street clothes all very nice, and mannerly, but not very knowledgeable, and hard to believe they could handle an adverse situation. I asked for the soap to be filled in the mens room on Thursday afternoon at 4 and it was still not done at noon the next day. -it’s a 2 minute walk from the office. I asked about a hike, they told me a trail head was a mile up the road. We found a spur directly across the street. I miss real docents, with knowledge, and wearing the garb. All sites not directly on the river side have paths down to get there. Did a nice little moderate hike just across the street called Pine Knob. Nice vista, quick 760ft ascent, combines withe AT for a length, then back down total 3 miles the way we did it. Some nice restaurants in Kent. Found a good breakfast in Goshen. We’ll be going back.
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
GuideA really nice campground for tenters and dry campers. No hookups, but decent bathrooms, lukewarm showers and well kept. The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods. The only negative is Route 7, which gets busy in the mornings, and at rush hours, but quiets down at night. Not a busy highway to begin with, but a major route. A good up and down hike right across the street, 760 ft ascent in a mile or so, 3 mile loop, you see AT through hikers on the portion of the combined trail. There is a drinking water tap you can hook a hose to for filling your RV, or jugs. No dump station. We had our class B here. Sites mostly level. Come during the week for better privacy. Supposedly fly fisherman come on weekends. Cute cabins for rent in a awesome location.
GuideFirst off the cons the train at 130 am is wonderful to get woken up to 2nd the sites are on top of each other 3 not many level sites didnt hear the buzzing at all no daddy long legs but ticks let's talk about how many ticks I got in the park I pulled 7 off of me in 5 nights at that park
GuideSpent one night here. The park is quiet. The facilities are a little outdated, although they said that newer ones had been built by the marina. I wasn’t up for the 15 minute walk, having just hiked up a mountain. My spot included electrical and water hook ups.
Western Connecticut's rolling hills and forests provide numerous camping options within driving distance of Washington Depot. The terrain includes wetlands, woodlands, and elevations between 500-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, while spring and fall can fluctuate significantly with overnight temperatures sometimes dropping into the 40s.
Hiking trails: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers scenic paths with various difficulty levels, including a challenging mountain loop. "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," notes one visitor who recommends taking the trails in sections.
Fishing opportunities: Cozy Hills Campground provides on-site fishing that's especially popular with families. "Kids caught about 20 fish," reports one camper who visited for a weekend. The campground maintains stocked fishing areas that don't require state fishing licenses.
Swimming options: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers lake access with designated swimming areas. While one visitor notes the swim area is "marginal - best for little ones," the lake provides other recreational opportunities like kayaking and paddleboarding.
Private bathroom facilities: Kettletown State Park Campground receives positive feedback for its facilities. "The bathrooms are always kept clean and stocked and there are a ton of watering spots," mentions a frequent visitor who considers it a favorite spot close to home.
Family programming: Cozy Hills Campground organizes regular activities for children and adults alike. According to one visitor: "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids."
Affordability: Many campgrounds in the region maintain reasonable rates compared to other New England destinations. Sites typically range from $20-35 per night for tent camping, while cabins can cost $65-95 depending on the season and amenities. Weekly rates often provide 10-15% discounts over daily rates.
Cell service limitations: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground has very limited connectivity. One camper notes, "No cell service," making it ideal for those wanting to disconnect but requiring advance planning for emergencies.
Wildlife precautions: Local campgrounds experience regular wildlife visits, particularly after dark. Raccoons, skunks, and sometimes bears visit campsites with food. One camper at Macedonia warned, "As we were walking back up to our tent there was a small bear within feet from us that we almost didn't see!"
Reservation timing: The camping season for most state parks runs from late May through early September, with weekends booking 2-3 months in advance. Private campgrounds like Cozy Hills typically operate from mid-April through mid-October, allowing for more shoulder-season options when state facilities are closed.
Pool amenities: Black Rock State Park Campground provides family-friendly swimming areas. "Beach was nice, just a bit crowded," notes one visitor who stayed for nearly a week. The park maintains a supervised swimming area during peak summer months.
Site selection: When booking at Lake Waramaug, consider the layout carefully. A family camper advises, "Sites are HUGE with easy access to the swimming area," but notes that weekends get crowded with limited privacy between sites.
Terrain considerations: Many campgrounds in the region feature uneven terrain. At Kettletown State Park, a reviewer pointed out that "Site 11, while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over." Bring leveling blocks and carefully inspect site photos when available.
Accessibility challenges: Point Folly Campground offers waterfront sites but requires careful planning. "The water front sites on the West Side seem to flood easily if it rains," warns a regular visitor who camps there twice yearly despite its rustic amenities.
Hookup availability: Most state parks offer limited electrical service (30-amp) with no water or sewer connections at individual sites. A reviewer at Cozy Hills noted they "pack us in pretty tight in some sites," suggesting larger RVs should call ahead to confirm site dimensions and access routes.
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds including Kettletown State Park and Black Rock State Park provide dump stations, but they can get congested during peak checkout times (typically 10-11am). Consider using facilities mid-week or earlier in the morning to avoid waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping areas near Washington Depot, Connecticut?
Cozy Hills Campground near Bantam offers convenient drive-in camping with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities that accommodate RVs. For a more natural experience, Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides secluded sites with a community feel while maintaining privacy among the trees. They sell firewood and ice on-site. Other nearby options include Black Rock State Park Campground (about 20 miles away), offering both drive-in and boat-in access, and Point Folly Campground on Bantam Lake. Wolf's Den Family Campground provides easy access to attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House for those wanting to combine camping with cultural experiences.
What are the best hiking trails near Washington Depot, Connecticut?
Washington Depot offers excellent hiking options within a short drive. Steep Rock Association maintains beautiful trails with river views and historic features right in Washington Depot. For more challenging terrain, Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers scenic trails with spectacular views from its summit trail that follows the Appalachian Mountain range. Just across the New York border, the diverse trails at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provide options for all skill levels, from easy nature walks to more strenuous hikes through varied terrain. Kettletown State Park also features shorter but picturesque trails along the Housatonic River, perfect for casual hikers looking for natural beauty.
What are the best seasons to visit Washington Depot, Connecticut?
Fall is the premier season to visit Washington Depot, with spectacular foliage transforming the landscape into vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows from late September through October. Summer (June-August) offers ideal conditions for outdoor activities with warm days perfect for hiking and exploring Lone Oak Camp Sites, which provides access to numerous waterfalls and excellent stargazing opportunities. Spring brings wildflowers and moderate temperatures, though early spring can be muddy from snowmelt. Winter offers its own charm, particularly at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation where locals enjoy sledding at Pell Hill. Each season offers distinct experiences in this picturesque New England region.
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