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Best Tent Camping in Connecticut

Connecticut offers several tent camping options throughout its diverse landscape, from isolated island sites to mountain lean-tos along the Appalachian Trail. The Brassie Brook Shelter near Bear Mountain provides hike-in tent sites with basic amenities, including picnic tables and bear boxes. Onion Mountain Park offers primitive tent camping with established fire rings in a wooded setting, while Selden Neck State Park Campground provides boat-in tent camping on an island in the Connecticut River.

Many tent sites in Connecticut require preparation for minimal facilities. Campsites at Onion Mountain Park are accessible via hiking trails rather than direct vehicle access, with the blue and yellow trails leading to primitive camping areas. Brassie Brook Shelter includes toilet facilities but no drinking water, making water filtration equipment essential for overnight stays. Fire regulations vary significantly—fires are prohibited at Appalachian Trail sites like Riga Lean-To and Ten Mile River Shelter, while permitted at other locations. Bear-resistant food storage is recommended at mountain sites, with some shelters providing bear boxes for camper use.

Connecticut's tent camping experiences differ markedly by location. River camping at Selden Neck offers unique water access with tent sites featuring fire pits and picnic tables along the Connecticut River shoreline. Appalachian Trail tent sites provide shelter options with lean-tos that accommodate small tents inside or nearby ground sites for traditional tent setups. White Memorial Campground in Litchfield offers a more managed tent camping experience with accessible trails and cleaner facilities. A camper at Windmill Hill noted: "Quiet woods atmosphere with trails. Very clean." Island camping requires additional planning for boat transportation, as one visitor explained: "It's about a 20 minute paddle across the river to the island. If it's a nice day, you're going to encounter some wake from passing boats so make sure your gear is in waterproof bags."

Best Tent Campgrounds in Connecticut (12)

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Tent Camping Reviews in Connecticut

530 Reviews of 12 Connecticut Campgrounds

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 28, 2026

    Lake Compounce Campground

    Amusement Park Camping

    This campground is associated with a large amusement park. We were there in the fall when the amusement park was closed so the campground was not very busy but image it would have a very crowded feel if you were there during the summer. The RV sites are buddy sites which is never our favorite set-up (unless we are traveling with friends). Luckily, there was no one in the site next to us during our stay. The campground is big rig-friendly with roads and sites wide and long enough to accommodate any size RV; however, the road and roundabout you encounter when entering the campground is tight. There was very little traffic when we entered so navigating the entrance booth and roundabout was doable. The RV slots you pull into to check in at registration are far too short to accommodate large RVs with their tow vehicles and we ended up taking up four spaces. The tent sites are set away from the cabins and RV sites. Some are nicely tucked up against the tree line while others are in a grassy area and others are sandy nestled under some scrubby pine trees. One of the problems with the location of the tent sites is that they are far away from the bathrooms. Garbage cans are scattered throughout the campground so you don’t have to walk very far to dump your trash. There is no sewer but the electric (50-amp) worked well. There is cable but the channels were not HD so we switched to our over-the-air antenna and got great HD reception with about 60 channels. There is wifi but we could not get it at our site so we just used our Verizon hotspot (which had great reception). The water pressure is very high so we dialed our regulator back to around 45.  Roads and sites are gravel. All the sites are level and have a picnic table and fire pit.  We noticed that some of the fire pits needed to be cleaned out because rude campers littered them with water bottles, cans, and other garbage in the fire pits. One of the downsides is the noise from local recycling/transfer station. There is a dump station set to the side as you enter/exit. It was a little tight for us getting our 45’ RV in there but it was doable. There is only one sewer dump so we can image that it can be pretty backed up on Sundays when everybody checks out.

  • Joseph R.
    Oct. 27, 2026

    Gibson Hill RV Park

    A Really Enjoyable Camping

    After a busy summer, we wanted somewhere we could just park the camper and slow down for a few days. Sterling Park worked out great for that. We spent one morning fishing, walked the trails later in the day and finished the evening around the fire. Nothing complicated, just a really enjoyable camping weekend.

  • Kai F.
    Oct. 27, 2026

    White Pines Campsites

    Did Some Fishing

    After a busy few weeks, this was exactly the break we needed. The kids went swimming, we did some fishing, and everyone came home tired in a good way lol.

  • Evan W.
    Oct. 23, 2026

    Gibson Hill RV Park

    Around The Sites

    We came with another family and had a blast. The kids disappeared together for half the day while the adults hung around the sites. Between fishing, the pool and the other activities, everyone found something they liked. Would definatly come back.

  • T
    Oct. 23, 2026

    White Pines Campsites

    Bunch Of Extra Trips

    White Pines made a really good home base for our trip. We spent most of the days checking out different spots around northwest Connecticut and came back here in the evenings. Made dinner outside, had a fire, and just relaxed. The campground itself had everything we needed without having to make a bunch of extra trips into town.

  • Zachary P.
    Oct. 22, 2026

    Gibson Hill RV Park

    Just Sat Back

    Our kids are already asking when we can go back. They loved the pool, playground and all the space to run around. We mostly just sat back and enjoyed having a few days off.

  • H
    Oct. 21, 2026

    White Pines Campsites

    Some Actual Downtime

    We brought our camper up for the weekend and the kids immediately wanted to go to the pool.😂 They also loved the fishing pond and exploring around the campground. There was plenty to keep them busy while we got some actual downtime.

  • J
    Oct. 20, 2026

    GrandView CampResort & Cottages

    Friendly staff and very clean facilities. They have sites with sewage hookups along with water and electric. Sites are small and very close together. I liked how many dog waste receptacles were available all over the property.

  • S
    Oct. 17, 2026

    Gibson Hill RV Park

    Room To Relax

    Brought our camper up for a long weekend and had plenty of room to relax. The campground store was also super handy when we realized we forgot a few things.

Guide to Connecticut

Connecticut offers a diverse range of tent camping experiences, from scenic state parks to serene riverside sites, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tips for tent camping in Connecticut

  • When visiting Hammonasset State Park Campground, book your site well in advance, especially during peak season, as spots fill up quickly.
  • Be prepared for bugs at Onion Mountain Park; bringing insect repellent can enhance your camping experience.
  • If you’re looking for a secluded getaway, consider Riga Lean-To, which offers a quiet retreat with minimal amenities, perfect for those wanting to disconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What permits or reservations are required for tent camping in Connecticut?

Most Connecticut state parks require reservations for tent camping, which can be made through the state's official reservation system. Some locations like Onion Mountain Park offer first-come, first-served camping with no permits required, making it ideal for spontaneous trips. Chapman Pond Preserve requires advanced booking. For Appalachian Trail shelters such as Riga Lean-To, no reservations are needed, but be prepared for shared accommodations during peak hiking season. Always check with specific park authorities before your trip, as regulations may change seasonally.

What are the best state parks for tent camping in Connecticut?

Connecticut offers several exceptional state parks for tent camping. Selden Neck State Park Campground is a unique island destination accessible only by boat with four primitive campsites, offering a secluded experience on the Connecticut River. Gillette Castle State Park Campground provides scenic camping on the southern end of the park. For hikers, the Bear Mountain area within the Appalachian Trail corridor offers beautiful sites, and many Connecticut state parks require reservations through the state's reservation system, especially during peak summer months.