Cabin options within Connecticut state parks feature rustic accommodations without kitchens or private bathrooms. State park cabins typically operate seasonally from late May through early September, requiring advance reservations. Cabins range from basic shelters with minimal furnishings to more comfortable options with electricity at private campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Kettletown State Park Campground offers excellent fishing spots along its waterfront. Children particularly enjoy catching fish at this location, with one camper noting, "Kids caught about 20 fish. The pool is nice, no deep end."
Hiking trails: The region features varied terrain for hiking enthusiasts. At Housatonic Meadows State Park, visitors can explore trails while enjoying "Tons of birdwatching, hiking, river floating" according to one reviewer. The park's location along the Housatonic River provides scenic hiking routes with river views.
Swimming areas: Several parks maintain swimming facilities during summer months. Lake Waramaug State Park features a swim area that's "marginal- best for little ones" as one camper pointed out. Water quality monitoring occurs regularly at state parks, with swimming occasionally restricted when bacteria levels rise.
What campers like
Privacy levels: American Legion State Forest receives praise for its site layout. Campers appreciate that "sites are spaced apart nicely" and note "you have a lot of privacy." This contrasts with some other state parks where sites position closer together.
Clean facilities: Many campers value well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor to White Pines Campsites observed, "The picnic table was chained down so there weren't many options to set up having the fire pit and picnic table where they were," demonstrating attention to site organization details.
Nature access: Direct access to natural features rates highly among reviewers. At American Legion State Forest, campers enjoy that sites back up to the Farmington River with "a lot of privacy, there is a drive in movie theater 10 min away." The combination of natural surroundings with nearby amenities appeals to many visitors.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most cabin facilities operate from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. During peak summer weekends, Bear Creek Campground at Lake Compounce becomes quite busy, as one visitor noted: "CG is pretty empty during the week and gets busy during the weekend."
Reservation requirements: Cabin bookings require advance planning, especially for weekends. One camper advised, "If you plan to camp, BOOK AHEAD!" regarding Hammonasset State Park's cabins. For the most desirable sites, reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance.
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds report wildlife encounters. Bear sightings occur at multiple locations, with one camper at Housatonic Meadows reporting, "We have also seen a bear eating food from the dumpster." Proper food storage in vehicles or secure containers helps prevent wildlife problems.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly locations: Cozy Hills Campground provides numerous structured activities for children. A visitor mentioned it has "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."
Bathroom accessibility: When camping with small children, proximity to restrooms matters. Some campgrounds have limited facilities spread across large areas. A camper at White Pines noted restrooms were "very clean but very far apart," requiring planning for families with young children.
Space considerations: Family groups often need more room. Kettletown State Park accommodates this need as one visitor observed, "The reason why I said place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Black Rock State Park Campground provides limited hookup options. A camper mentioned, "No water or electric hookup but I have solar and a generator and they have a wash area for dishes and REALLY HOT showers." RVers should plan for limited or no hookups at most state parks.
Dump stations: Most state parks maintain dump stations for RVs, though they may have limited capacity. Black Rock provides "a dump station and a place to fill up ur water tank" according to a recent visitor, allowing RVs to manage waste and water needs.
Site dimensions: RV sites vary considerably in size and levelness. At Bear Creek Campground, a camper noted, "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor," indicating sufficient space for larger vehicles despite the orientation.
