Fall Camping in Connecticut State Parks
While many people like to camp- out at Ct State Parks in the warm Summer months, not nearly as many enjoy the benefits of Fall camping in Ct State Parks. Which is just one of the reasons that fall camping is preferable to camping- out during other seasons. While swimming and most other aquatic activities can be ruled out, due to the cooler weather, there are plenty of other things to do at the less- crowded State Parks.
Fall camping is open and allowed at most Ct State Parks until early October. They all feature bathrooms, showers and dumping stations. Parking for RV’s and trailers is available, but size restrictions may apply. Pets are not permitted at Ct State Parks, with the exception of Salt Rock Campground in Baltic, which allows two pets per campsite. At Salt Rock, they also offer utilities, providing water and electricity to some sites. The price of camping at Ct State Parks is $11.00- $15.00 per night, per campsite. Rates at Salt Rock Campground run between $25.00- $30.00 per night, per campsite.
While some people like camping out inside a tent, others prefer to ‘rough- it’, and sleep under the stars with just a sleeping bag to keep them warm. Regardless if a tent is used for fall camping in Ct State Parks, or not, one of the most important elements in fall camping is possessing the correct sleeping bag. With an adequate sleeping bag, extra wool blankets, flannel shirts, longjohns and extra socks, camping overnight in the great outdoors can be an invigorating experience. Blow- up mattresses, which can be found at most department stores for under $30.00, work well as a make- shift bed, while fall camping in Ct State Parks.
Meal time is fun time, when fall camping, especially when favorite meals have been cooked ahead of time at home, and frozen, for use as needed when in the wilderness. Food that has been cooked outdoors, always seems to taste better than food cooked indoors, no matter the heat source, propane, wood or charcoal. In today’s marketplace, there are many custom camping products designed to improve the quality of outdoor cooking, at minimal cost. Some people cook multi- course, gourmet meals outdoors, while fall camping in Ct State Parks. Because the act of cooking, itself, is just utilizing a heat source, many foods not usually grilled, adapt well to outdoor cooking, when packaged properly. Generally, a double- wrapping of aluminum foil around most meat, poultry, fish and vegetable items is appropriate for campfire or grill cooking. Adding a small amount of water to food products, before cooking outdoors, is advised, to keep food moist and to prevent burning or scorching. This also creates a ‘steaming’ effect, which produces very succulent food. There’s nothing like cooking a hot dog on a stick, or roasting marshmallows in a campfire at night, while fall camping in Ct State Parks.
Because Mother Nature is unpredictable, it is advised that fall campers always come equipped with proper rain gear. This includes raincoats, boots and tarps. Lanterns, transistor radios and batteries are also recommended. Fishing is permitted at most Ct State Parks, but a permit is required. At roughly half of Ct’s State Parks, alcohol is not permitted on the grounds.
When the weather turns a little bit cooler and there are fewer mosquitos and other insects buzzing around, Ct State Parks are wonderful places to unwind, relax and enjoy the splendors of nature. For many people, fall camping in Ct State Parks is the only way to go.
Here is a list of Connecticut State Parks.
A) Black Rock State Park..Route 6, Watertown, Ct..(860) 283-8088
B) Devil’s Hopyard State Park..366 Hopyard Road, East Haddam, Ct..(860)873-8566
C) Hammonasset Beach State Park..1288 Boston Post Road,Route 1, Madison, Ct..(203)245-2785
D) Hopeville Pond State Park..193 Roode Road, Griswold, Ct..(860)376-0313
E) Housatonic Meadows State Park..Route 7, Sharon, Ct..(860)672-6772
F) Kettletown State Park..1400 Georges Hill Road, Southbury, Ct..(203)264-5678
G) Lake Waramaug State Park..30 Lake Waramaug Road, Kent, Connecticut..(860)868-0220
H) Macedonia Brook State Park..159 Macedonia Brook Road, Kent, Ct..(860)927-4100
I) Mashamoquet Brook State Park..off Route 44, Pomfret, Ct..(860)928-6121
J) Rocky Neck State Park..244 West Main St, Route 156, East Lyme, Ct..(860)739-5471
K) Salt Rock Campground..120 Scotland Road, Route 97, Baltic, Ct..(860)822-0884
