New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
CAMPING TRIPS
Camping season is upon us, and I can smell the bonfires from here.
(No, really, there’s actually a bonfire going on down the street from me. I’m about to grab my emergency s’mores supplies and invite myself to the party.)
Camping has always been a beloved activity, but it’s become especially favored during the pandemic, when people have been desperately looking for ways to get away from it all, while staying socially distanced and outdoors.
Although vaccines are being rapidly distributed throughout the state, this summer is still a time to be cautious while having fun.
That said, continue the camping trend with these six fun campgrounds around
Connecticut.
Note: most sites have specific COVID-19 protocols, so please read them carefully before you plan your visit. For state park guidelines, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/ State-Parks/Camping/ Camping---CT-State-Parksand-Forests.
Lake Compounce Campground
This campground is adjacent to a theme park. So you can fall asleep to sounds of the wind whistling through the trees and then spend your waking hours screaming on a roller coaster. There are several camping options here, including full cabins, RV sites and tent sites. All sites come with Wi-Fi, a picnic table, a fire pit and transportation to and from the theme park. The campground also hosts themed events throughout the summer, like science weekend, superhero week, Christmas in July week and nature weekend.
185 Enterprise Drive, Bristol; 860-583-3300; lakecompounce.com/ campground
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Camping here means waking up beside the ocean. There are 550 campsites at Hammonasset Beach State Park, and they’re typically open from Memorial Day Weekend (May 29-31) through Oct. 11. Hammonasset offers saltwater swimming, fishing (please follow state guidelines) and all types of summer fun. (No pets are allowed.) Cabins are available for rental on a
weekly basis.
1288 Boston Post Road, Madison; 203-245-2785; hammonasset.org/ about-the-park
Mashamoquet Brook State Park
This state park, open for camping from April 9 to
Sept. 6, is home to all kinds of Connecticut treasures, such as the Wolf Den national historic site, the Brayton Grist Mill, and the Table Rock and Indian Chair natural stone formations. There are tours of the grist mill, which still houses all the original blacksmith tools that would have been used during its heyday. The Wolf Den has a darker history, with a lesson in conservation; it’s the location where a man in the 1700s was thought to have killed the last wolf in Connecticut.
276 Mashamoquet Road,
Pomfret Center; 860-928-6121; portal.ct.gov
Lone Oak Campsites
This campground, open between April 15 and Oct. 14, is family- and dog-friendly, with plenty of adventures for the whole family. There are two pools and a whirlpool, hiking trails that lead to climbable waterfalls, playgrounds and events throughout the season. There are themes throughout the season, including a Disneythemed “Wonderland” weekend, a pirate weekend and a music festival weekend. There’s also a rec hall, a deli and store, a hayloft bar and golf cart rentals.
360 Norfolk Road, East Canaan; 860-824-7051; loneoakcampsites.com
Black Rock State Park
Black Rock State Park, open April 9 through Sept. 6, has it all: hiking trails, field sports, swimming, trout fishing. All 75 campsites are within walking distance to the beach and the fishing pond, and each site comes with a fire ring and a picnic table. When trout fishing, remember to check Connecticut state guidelines for information on best practices and licensing. (Cabins are available for rent Friday nights through Sunday nights, with a two-night minimum. No alcohol is allowed on the premises.)
2065 Thomaston Road, Watertown; 860-283-8088; portal.ct.gov
Odetah Camping Resort
Boating, anyone? Odetah rents kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and row boats for use in the lake. Guests can stay in cabins, tents, RVs or yurts (complete with electricity, refrigerators and other amenities). There’s a splash pad, a pool, a dog park, a jacuzzi, mini-golf, beach volleyball, a movie theater, free Wi-Fi, an ice cream shop and more. There are themed weekends May through October, with events like Oktoberfest Weekend, Willy Wonka Weekend and Kids Carnival Week.
38 Bozrah St. Ext #1300, Bozrah; 860-889-4144; odetah.com