Best Campgrounds near Wilton Center, CT

The landscape surrounding Wilton Center, Connecticut provides campers with several established campgrounds within driving distance. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in nearby Pound Ridge, New York offers well-maintained shelters and tent sites approximately 10 miles from Wilton Center, while Kettletown State Park in Southbury provides options for tent camping, RV sites, and cabins about 20 miles away. Mixed-use campgrounds predominate in this region, with most facilities supporting both tent and RV camping, and several offering cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort.

Camping in the Wilton Center area operates primarily on a seasonal basis, with many developed campgrounds like Kettletown State Park open from May through early September. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, however, remains accessible year-round. Reservations are typically required at state park campgrounds, while some facilities like Ward Pound Ridge only accept in-person bookings. Most campgrounds provide amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathroom facilities, though amenity quality varies by location. The terrain throughout the region features a mix of wooded areas and water features, with several sites offering hiking trail access. A review noted: "Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all."

Developed campgrounds with water access generate particularly positive feedback from visitors. Kettletown State Park Campground receives praise for its waterfront sites and trails, though some reviewers mention the close proximity of campsites as a drawback. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation stands out for its shelter camping options and extensive trail network, with one camper sharing that "the shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather." Several camping areas in the region are noted for their convenience to New York City while still offering natural surroundings. Mountain Lakes Park, though smaller, earns high marks from visitors seeking a quick getaway with yurt accommodations available. Bathroom facilities at some Connecticut state parks have been described as needing updates, but the overall camping experience remains positive.

Best Camping Sites Near Wilton Center, Connecticut (74)

    1. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."

    "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"

    2. Mountain Lakes Park

    3 Reviews
    North Salem, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7312

    "Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."

    "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."

    3. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $17 - $50 / night

    "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."

    4. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $17 / night

    "When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."

    "We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."

    5. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."

    "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."

    6. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."

    "Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"

    7. Blydenburgh County Park

    11 Reviews
    Hauppauge, NY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 854-3713

    "just a great place to get away from home"

    "The group camping on the fox sites is accessible by a dirt drive in. I felt like I was suddenly transported upstate when in fact I had only driven 2 towns over, (about 20 minutes from home.)"

    8. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $250 / night

    "The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility.

    There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."

    "However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."

    9. Camp W Herrlich

    1 Review
    Holmes, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 319-3084

    10. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 245-1817

    $20 - $70 / night

    "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."

    "   I had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.

        Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground."

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Recent Reviews near Wilton Center, CT

416 Reviews of 74 Wilton Center Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • J
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Our go-to spot

    My wife and I love this campground. It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)

  • Brittany V.
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Skyridge Trails Campground

    Fantastic new campground!

    A little over a year old, and they have tons to do! Weekly themed events, spacious sites with fantastic views. The sites are level gravel with full hook ups and include a fire pit and picnic table. Beautiful swimming pond and a serene fishing pond located on site. The outpost has anything you might have forgotten to bring and everyone is ready to make sure you are enjoying your stay!

  • H
    Jun. 28, 2025

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Worst Camp Hosts

    Absolute worst Camp Hosts. They cancel every event they schedule while receiving free beach camping all summer. They’re an embarassment and a constant disappointment for young children. Shame on you and shame on Hammonasset.

  • Kim J.
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Very nice campground however…

    We have enjoyed our stay. Nice campground with lots of activities and things to do. However, we picked this place because it has an enclosed dog park. It does have an enclosed dog park but the fence is only 3 feet high. 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.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Black Bear RV Park

    Under construction

    I would rate this a 5 when they’re finished with the upgrades. Unfortunately there was nothing on this saying that they have limited spaces due to construction or that they changed the name. We passed it up at first. A little pricey just for an overnight and since no amenities were available. It will be beautiful when they’re finished. Can’t wait to come back and give them a 5 star review! The best part was at dusk when the animals came out!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Nice campground with lots of sites

    I've been going to this campground every summer for at least 5 years. Recently they became very stringent about parking to vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles. I usually host group camping trips and the single vehicle rule makes that very difficult.

    That aside, this is a very nice campground with various kinds of sites. You can find sites that are less wooded and better suited to group camping, as well as sites that are a little more secluded. This is one of my favorite campgrounds solely because there are platform sites so I can place my tent on a concrete or wooden platform. There is a separate area for RVs vs tents. There is also a store where you can get a cup of coffee in the morning and lots of goodies throughout the day.

    There are hiking trails and you can walk to the beach. Note - it is a downhill walk to the beach. The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk.

    There are lots of stores nearby as well as orchards to pick your own fruits. I stayed there one weekend and went to Splish Splash waterpark that's not far away. There is also a Tanger Outlet nearby. I've been there during a full on thunderstorm and watched as the trees swayed in the wind.

    Lovely campground with lots of activities to entertain you.


Guide to Wilton Center

Camping near Wilton Center, Connecticut, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Harriman State Park - Beaver Pond. One camper mentioned, "I enjoy the beach/lakefront, option for platform sites, and regularly cleaned bathroom and shower facilities."
  • Fishing: Spend a relaxing day fishing at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner. A visitor shared, "Our site was spacious, level, waterfront, and partially shaded thanks to some mature trees."
  • Beach Activities: Visit Hammonasset State Park Campground for a day at the beach. One reviewer noted, "The beach was popular, and there was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A visitor remarked, "The bathrooms are very old and very clean. Flush toilets. Heated."
  • Secluded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy of the sites at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. One camper said, "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the variety of activities at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner. A parent mentioned, "This place is so much fun. My whole family loved the activities, awesome pools, and water area."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Wildwood State Park Campground noted, "The crowd stayed awake playing music all night very loudly."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A camper at Hammonasset State Park Campground pointed out, "There’s no electricity at most of the sites."
  • Booking in Advance: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A family at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation advised, "If you are looking for a site, it’s best to book far in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Bring Entertainment: Kids will enjoy the playgrounds and activities at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner. One parent said, "There are tons of activities on location. Beautiful view of the river!"
  • Pack for Comfort: Make sure to bring extra tarps and rope for rainy weather, as noted by a camper at Margaret Norrie State Park. They mentioned, "Bring extra tarps and rope!"
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise during quiet hours. A visitor at Clarence Fahnestock State Park shared, "It was so quiet at night—not a sound after 11 pm during my visit."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley noted, "Our site was even and easy to level on."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Connectivity: Wi-Fi can be spotty at some campgrounds. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner mentioned, "The Wi-Fi is also bad here."
  • Bring Your Own Fire Pit: Some campgrounds require you to bring your own fire pit. A family at Hammonasset State Park Campground advised, "You need to either bring your own fire pit or rent one from the store."

Camping near Wilton Center, Connecticut, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping sites near Wilton Center?

Several excellent camping options are available within a reasonable drive from Wilton Center. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in nearby Westchester County offers a peaceful camping experience with multiple trails and is popular with locals. For waterfront camping, Kettletown State Park Campground provides river access and beautiful hiking trails. Other nearby options include Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park and Croton Point Park, which offers stunning views of the Hudson River. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during peak summer months.

Is there a public campground in Wilton Center?

Wilton Center itself does not have a public campground within its immediate boundaries. The closest public camping options are found in surrounding areas. Hammonasset State Park Campground is one of Connecticut's most popular options, featuring beach access, well-maintained facilities, and a camp store. Another option is Croton Point Park, which offers family-friendly camping directly on the Hudson River with private tent sites and nearby bathroom facilities. Both require reservations, especially during peak season.

What camping is available near Wilton Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Wilton Center, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 74 campgrounds and RV parks near Wilton Center, CT and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Wilton Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wilton Center, CT is Ward Pound Ridge Reservation with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wilton Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Wilton Center, CT.

What parks are near Wilton Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Wilton Center, CT that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.