Camping options around West Cornwall, Connecticut consist primarily of established campgrounds in the eastern Taconic Mountains region. The area sits at elevations of 500-1,200 feet with humid continental climate patterns, creating distinct camping seasons that typically run from early May through late October. Fall camping requires warmer bedding as overnight temperatures can drop into the 30s during October.
What to do
Swimming access: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers excellent swimming options with a clean, lifeguarded beach area. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards / kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes one visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several ponds throughout the region provide good fishing for various species. At Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park, campers report "plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water. There is a lot of hiking in the area- def check out Bash Bish Falls."
Hiking trails: The region connects to various trail systems including paths to notable waterfalls. Clarence Fahnestock State Park provides "plenty of hiking in the area, to people new to camping, or to use as a base to explore the Hudson River Valley if you have a personal vehicle."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds offer raised wooden platforms for tent setup, particularly useful during wet weather. A camper at Lake Taghkanic explains, "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses with reliable hot water. One visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground appreciated that "The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! Pool was lovely and refreshing."
Water features: Nearly every campground offers water recreation. At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, "The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock. Close to great hiking."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Weekend spots fill quickly throughout summer and fall. A reviewer at Clarence Fahnestock notes: "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Site privacy variations: Campground layouts differ significantly with some offering better separation between sites. "This is a really interesting campground that's situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park. Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms."
Seasonal facilities: Lake Compounce Campground in Bristol, CT operates with different amenities based on season. "CG is pretty empty during the week and gets busy during the weekend," notes one camper, with most facilities fully operational only during peak summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. A visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley mentioned, "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was."
Organized activities: Weekend programming varies by campground. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground shared.
Tent platforms for rainy weather: Platforms at several campgrounds keep tents dry during storms. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground."
Tips from RVers
Voltage inconsistencies: Electric service quality varies between campgrounds in the region. At Interlake RV Park, a visitor noted "Clean and spacious sites. Full hook up and about a half hour from stunning views."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide full sewer hookups. Lake Compounce Campground offers "electric, water and cable TV connections... No sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "Sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!!"
