Best Tent Camping near West Simsbury, CT

Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country. That being said, it's more rewarding when you find a little gem like Wilderness Lake Campground.

While this is about 60% RVs, the tent sites are great. The host gave us a secluded spot in the back to the point I didn't feel like I was at a campground other than the fire ring. We didn't need bathrooms, water or electricity, but there was a bathroom within walking distance. It also looked like they were building a little outbuilding for Women and Men's bathrooms near the tent sites. 

The lake was quiet and we saw kids swimming in it in the morning. There was a hiking trail on the property and the host mentioned they were building a Disc Golf course on the property. Whether you have an RV, want to Car Glamp or looking to feel deep in the woods, this place checks all the boxes. It's also conveniently located off I-84(exit 70).

The playground was awesome for our two year old. The tent sites had some shade, the showers and bathrooms were really nice.

beautiful place to take the family tent camping. Public beach area is small but you can find your own quiet spot away from the crowd. sites book up quick so reserve early!

Campground is only years old. Sites were large enough for RV. NO privacy, bit tent sites were ok. Fre showers for number of campsites, but very clean. Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground.

We reserved a groupsite down by a stream and pond. It had a large common area surrounded by little pockets which made great tent sites. Beautiful site! Other campsites were far enough away that we felt like we had the place to ourselves.

We never been here. This campground is quite small. But quiet. It’s located off a dead end street . There is a lame right down the street. They have cabins, tent sites and everything sites. Have a small camp store. But downtown Pittsfield very close by. They have a pool. The owners were very professional and friendly . We will return..

Kettletown State Park isn't just for camping. There are also hiking trails , a fishing area and a swimming hole, but the week I was there there was a high bacteria count, so no swimming was allowed. Also, when swimming is allowed, there isnt a lifeguard.

The campsites are varied, you can tent camp, use a camper, or they also have a few cabins you can rent. Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!

I flew up here from Louisiana and met my sister in a primitive tent site. The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! Pool was lovely and refreshing. I do wish they had more bathrooms though. Especially by the pool!!! Camp staff was very friendly and helpful. The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!

Good family campground with access to the ocean. No fire pits in the ground but you can bring your own ($50 on Amazon) or rent one (bring cash). I've done tent camping here in the summer but don't know much about the RV side, although I believe they have dump stations and such. Restrooms and showers are pretty good too, but typical campground bathrooms. 4 stars cuz I'm not a huge fan of the beaches, if I could give 4.9 stars I would.

Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins. Small store in park that sells firewood and ice and a few other things you may need. Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails. Bathrooms on site as well as showers. Some sites are close together, but there are a few a little more secluded and set back. Fire pits are great. Can’t wait to camp here again!

I tent camped here for a night in early July and enjoyed the stay. The camp sites were well kept though kind of light on privacy and space between campsites.

I was staying over on the way to some fishing so I didn’t full explore the park but there looked to be plenty to do.

There is a campers only beach on upper highland lake that was easy walking distance from the campsite and fishing opportunities there as well.

The main beach had a swimming area, facilities, and a trail around that looked promising for some fishing.

I’d stay here again when I have more time to explore.

Taconic State Park has a beautiful campground. No electric hookups, but plenty of water and tent sites are available with very large platforms. Bathroom facilities are adequate. There are 2 dog friendly loops at the back. Overall, very quiet and friendly.

2 lIfeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of. Very short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls

If you are traveling with a dog, be sure to bring proof of rabies— they ask.

Fees are $15 residents and $20 non residents plus processing fees.

This campground was one of the best I’ve been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there. The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low.

The town of Hudson is also close by if you’re looking to get some of the comforts of a town while you’re out and about.

There are a mix of platform and regular tent sites as well as some camper sites. We stayed on a platform site, which I questioned the structural integrity of after looking underneath lol… it held up though and there were also some new platforms which looked nice. Sites are a little close together for my liking. Luckily we checked out early before the weekend started so it was peaceful for us. The bathhouse was awesome! New building and it wasn’t a communal shower area with all the stalls in one room, there were all separate rooms each with their own bathroom and shower stall. Overall I would recommend if you’re not looking for too much peace and quiet.

We arrived and had booked an RV site thinking it would be large enough for my tent which is 21 x 17‘Immediately upon seeing the site I knew it would not fit without us possibly touching one or both of the RVs in the sites next to us. The sites while clean and well-maintained all shared one bathroom and one shower which was limited to one occupant due to Covid. The man that I checked in with via text immediately offered me a tent site that was right next to the pool and the bathrooms/showers! He gave me my choice of two sites that were not already booked with full electric. All in all this campsite was very nice but the sites did not offer any privacy from your neighbors.

Sleeping Giant has been closed since May 2018. A tornado came through and knocked down many trees near the main entrance to and major parking lot for the park (on Mount Carmel Avenue across from Quinnipiac University).

This entrance area has been cleared and is being rebuilt. The picnic and pavilion areas were also affected (though less so) and will be renovated also.

In the past the picnic shelter and pavilion areas were well shaded by trees and were a wonderful place to bring the family or even large groups of people for a party. This will presumably be so at some point in the future after the park re-opens.

There were Sleeping Giant Park campground sites which could be reserved and used for tent camping back in the twentieth century. I remember them from the 1980s. They have not been available for many years now.

The campground has 3 sections, located on different tiers of a hill. The lower level has RV sites, middle has tent sites, and upper has a few yurts. Each level has a bath house (3 toilet stalls and 1 shower in the lower level; it was run-down but clean enough). Outside the entrance station (near the RV sites) is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore. You’ll see many vehicles drive-by with boats or ATVs in tow as the state forest also has areas suitable for their use. Accessible from the campground are a few hiking trails. Monument Mountain is a popular hiking spot about 20 minutes away and Bash Bish Falls State Park is about 45 minutes away. Note: Massachusetts does not allow alcohol in their parks.

The park is huge with tons of space for picnics, beachgoing and - weirdly - parking. (Someone must've gotten a tasty asphalt contract.)

Unfortunately, all of the campsites are jammed into one quadrant, with very little distance between each. Our site (#17) was quite small and was not clearly marked. It seemed to run into #18. We were told we could spread out into two sites since the adjoining site wasn't taken. (By the way: Site #19 looked to be the best in our neck of the woods.)

The roads to the tent sites are quite rocky and can be difficult to navigate. 

The facilities are a bit warn, but the maintenance staff does a good job of upkeep. Since it was raining during our visit, it was impossible to keep the individual shower/lavatories clean for very long.

Though the camp was mostly filled, noise was not a problem during our stay. 

The lake is quite nice and the swimming area is well-protected.