Washington Depot, Connecticut sits in the Litchfield Hills region at about 500 feet above sea level, with surrounding terrain ranging up to 1,250 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through late October, with fall foliage peaking in early-to-mid October. Temperatures during camping months average 45-85°F, with summer nights cooling to the 60s.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Taghkanic: Catch largemouth bass from shore or rent boats at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, located about 30 miles from Washington Depot. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny," notes camper Mellisa T.
Hiking trails at Taconic State Park: Access multiple trail systems from the Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park campground. "There is a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park," explains Katherine P. "There are lots of trails to explore. Many unmarked."
Historical sites: Visit the FDR National Historic Site in Hyde Park, about 30 minutes from Interlake RV Park. "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby," recommends a visitor to Interlake RV Park.
Late-season swimming: The beach at Fahnestock State Park remains open to campers after Labor Day when it closes to the public. "Clean and beautiful. Great hikes," notes Courtney D., who visited during the post-season period.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Cozy Hills Campground features individual bathroom facilities. "Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep," shares Kim T., who stayed at the waterfront sites.
Quiet weekday camping: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers more peaceful midweek stays. "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was," reports Katie B.
Platform tent sites: Lake Taghkanic and Fahnestock parks both offer raised platforms for tents. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection," explains Rosie R. about camping during rainy weather at Lake Taghkanic.
Evening stargazing: Low light pollution at Lake Taghkanic creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," writes Seth K., who visited in mid-October.
What you should know
Site reservation strategy: Book early for premium spots at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, especially for fall weekends. "This place can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance," advises Asher K. "I highly recommend this place but check out the sites online to get one that is private."
Public transportation access: Fahnestock State Park is accessible via public transit. "MetroNorth takes you right into Cold Spring, a charming, quaint town with antique shops and beautiful views of the Hudson. From there, it is a short drive to the campgrounds at Fahnestock," notes Robyn S.
Bathhouse conditions vary: While newer facilities exist at some campgrounds, older facilities can be problematic. "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!" reports Courtney D. about Fahnestock, while Branch Brook camper Benjamin A. notes "The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the region close by mid-October, with Lake Taghkanic operating until October 15 and Fahnestock State Park remaining open until December 4 for late-season camping.
Tips for camping with families
Safety-focused pools: Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park features a family-friendly pool design. "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," notes Ann S.
Recreation options: Many campgrounds schedule regular activities for children. "Very nice facilities. Family activities, like archery, were excellent," says Jon R. about Cozy Hills, while Sandra S. adds they have "activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides."
Family-friendly timing: Weekdays typically offer quieter experiences at most campgrounds. "We went on weekdays which is not crowded," reports George L. about Lake Taghkanic. "It was close to half full when we were there, and it still felt like a fairly noisy campground, even after quiet hours," notes Katherine P. about weekend occupancy at Taconic State Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "Playground, pool access, food court and basketball courts," lists Kaitlin B. about the amenities at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, while Lisa S. notes Taconic State Park has a "children's playground" and "kiddie pond."
Tips from RVers
RV length considerations: Lake Compounce Campground near Bristol, CT accommodates larger rigs. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains Diane R.
Electrical service options: While many rv parks near Washington Depot, Connecticut offer 30/50 amp service, specific limitations exist. "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out," notes Tina about Lake Compounce Campground.
Wi-Fi capabilities: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. "Better wi-fi than most campgrounds. My wife and I both were able to work with mostly no issues," reports Charlie & Danielle B. about Branch Brook Campground, noting "we could stream a show but it would occasionally have to buffer."
Utility placement: Check hookup locations when selecting sites. "Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park," explains Jason E. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, while another camper at Branch Brook mentions that "the site had a 'deck' outside which was great but it had some very weak boards that you could have easily fallen through."
