Kettletown State Park, Southbury: Address, Phone Number, Kettletown State Park Reviews: 4.5/5
Kettletown State Park
Kettletown State Park
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
16 within 3 miles
Lorenzo's
21
2.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • American • Pizza
Miranda's Pizza and Restaurant
78
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Maggie McFly's
161
2.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Contemporary
Dunkin'
6
2.6 mi$ • American • Cafe
Starbucks
18
2.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Laurel Diner
154
2.9 mi$ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly
Chip's Family Restaurant
107
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly
DiPalma's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
59
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Sake
31
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
Mercato Italian Kitchen & Bar
36
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
20 within 6 miles
Jackson Cove
1
1.1 miBeaches
Southford Falls State Park
65
State Parks • Parks
Paugussett State Forest
5
1.9 miHiking Trails • Forests
Al's Trail
3
1.9 miState Parks
Shepaug Eagle Observation Area
37
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Edmond Town Hall Theater
50
Theaters
Aquila's Nest Vineyards
6
2.9 miWineries & Vineyards
Black Hog Brewing Co.
19
Breweries
Oxford Public Library
3
Libraries
Audubon Center Bent of the River
3
Hiking Trails
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
71 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
29
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
1
SammiDeRosa
South Windsor, CT1,994 contributions
I stopped in here for the first time to go for a fall hike over the weekend. There were a few trails you could take and they were all extremely well marked and took you through various parts of the woods. There were some views but you definitely would want to come once all the leaves fell off the trees to see better. There was good parking, maps now and then, and free to get in for CT residents. You can't ride bikes on the trails here, something to keep in mind.
Written September 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ColoradoCampers
Richmond, VA17 contributions
This was the first place our family camped together. We have stayed her twice, July 2009 and July 2010.We stayed on sites 49-50 in 2009 and sites 60-64 last year.
Pros:
- Campground is clean and well maintained.
- Rangers come by and make their presence known, but are not bothersome.
- Outdoor movies shown on Fri/Sat during the summer - always kid friendly.
- Camp office sells firewood and ice for a reasonable price.
- Camp offfice rents outdoor games and board games for a $5 depsoit per game, limit 2 per site.
- Bath house is pretty clean, plenty of stallls and showers if you like.
- Camp sinks in front of bath house for washing dishes - our favorite part!
Cons:
- Site 50 is the only electric site, and requires a handicap permit.
- Bear country . . . need to be smart with storing your food.
- Staff cleans bathrrooms A LOT which you would think is good. They came every 2-3 hours each day.
This campground is a long drive from our home and we went here to stay with family from other parts of the country for a weekend. We woudl return more often if it were closer to our home. If you are staying during the typicall busy nights (Fri/Sat for most of the summer, Fri/Sat/Sun for holiday weekends), you will have no issues with the native animals.
The camp sinks here are unlike anything we've seen in other places. The have a "counter" built aroudn them that allows you to sit your dirty stuff on one side and your clean stuff on the other side. The sink is one large sink and it's very deep. The loop we were on had two washing stations, both illuminated by a light that stayed on all night (provided light for the bath house entrance). These sinks have a hot water tank, so you need to conserve the hot water when washing.
Sites 49 adn 50 have less shade and have a slight slope down towards the bath house. They are on a spur of the loop that leads to the dumpster and visitor parking, so there is little traffic in front of your site. Most of the traffice was people going back and forth to the dumpster.
Sites 60-64 have more shade and are inside the loop. The kids had to cross the road to the bath house, but they were able to play with all the other kids in the center of the loop.
Sites 58-59 are much larger than most and we saw families with multiple tents set up that looked like all their relatives had come with them. It's a short, reasonable walk to the bath house from these sites, but if you have very young children, it may be too far.
Also should mention the ice cream truck comes around at least once each afternoon after leaving the lake swimming area. Sometimes this is right at meal time.
A campground map is available at:
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/kettletowncg.pdf
Pros:
- Campground is clean and well maintained.
- Rangers come by and make their presence known, but are not bothersome.
- Outdoor movies shown on Fri/Sat during the summer - always kid friendly.
- Camp office sells firewood and ice for a reasonable price.
- Camp offfice rents outdoor games and board games for a $5 depsoit per game, limit 2 per site.
- Bath house is pretty clean, plenty of stallls and showers if you like.
- Camp sinks in front of bath house for washing dishes - our favorite part!
Cons:
- Site 50 is the only electric site, and requires a handicap permit.
- Bear country . . . need to be smart with storing your food.
- Staff cleans bathrrooms A LOT which you would think is good. They came every 2-3 hours each day.
This campground is a long drive from our home and we went here to stay with family from other parts of the country for a weekend. We woudl return more often if it were closer to our home. If you are staying during the typicall busy nights (Fri/Sat for most of the summer, Fri/Sat/Sun for holiday weekends), you will have no issues with the native animals.
The camp sinks here are unlike anything we've seen in other places. The have a "counter" built aroudn them that allows you to sit your dirty stuff on one side and your clean stuff on the other side. The sink is one large sink and it's very deep. The loop we were on had two washing stations, both illuminated by a light that stayed on all night (provided light for the bath house entrance). These sinks have a hot water tank, so you need to conserve the hot water when washing.
Sites 49 adn 50 have less shade and have a slight slope down towards the bath house. They are on a spur of the loop that leads to the dumpster and visitor parking, so there is little traffic in front of your site. Most of the traffice was people going back and forth to the dumpster.
Sites 60-64 have more shade and are inside the loop. The kids had to cross the road to the bath house, but they were able to play with all the other kids in the center of the loop.
Sites 58-59 are much larger than most and we saw families with multiple tents set up that looked like all their relatives had come with them. It's a short, reasonable walk to the bath house from these sites, but if you have very young children, it may be too far.
Also should mention the ice cream truck comes around at least once each afternoon after leaving the lake swimming area. Sometimes this is right at meal time.
A campground map is available at:
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/kettletowncg.pdf
Written June 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa O
Prospect, Connecticut, United States27 contributions
Family
I stayed here in June with my family and my brother's family. There were 6 kids total. We felt totally safe with them playing and riding their bikes around the loop. There were lots of things to do for the kids, the park rangers come around and let you know the schedule. The beach was just right for the kids too. We did minimal hiking. Overall we enjoyed our stay and will return. The only negative thing that happened was at dusk we were invaded by racoons and skunks! We stayed in campsite #17 and the critters just come right out of the woods to invade the site. One tried to take my cooler bag!
Written July 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
George06483
Hebron, NH38 contributions
Friends
This location has great hiking and a couple of great overlooks, although they are becoming obstructed by growth over the years. I highly recomend this location for hiking only. Camping is a completely different story. I would not go back again, ever. Two nights of parties til three am accompanied by fights, yelling, cursing and swearing. It was so badI thought that someone would be seriously injured in a fight. I tried to get a park ranger, none available. I contacted the State Police and found that there was no trooper covering the area! I have been camping for over 50 years and never had an experience like this. There are far too many nice quiet campsites in CT where, at least in my experience, such things do not happen! I will never go back.
Please note that this happened several years ago. I have not and will not go back again. Too many other great campsites!
Please note that this happened several years ago. I have not and will not go back again. Too many other great campsites!
Written June 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gretchen C
Prospect, Connecticut, United States4 contributions
Family
I was VERY impressed with Kettletown State Park Campground!! Large, clean bathrooms. Showers were the press button, 30 sec shower spray, kind but wáter was NICE temp from get-go, great pressure and FREE. Grounds were clean, sites were large and nicely shaded, roads were paved well, (there are some hills but roads generally flat around camp sites - kids loved riding bikes and I felt safe letting them.) No electric and wáter is shared by several sites (make sure you have a large container to carry and store so you don't have to go back and forth). Ranger drove by all the time to check up on people. You do have to drive to the beach, it is kind of a hike, but the beach área is clean, breazy and worth it. saw rowboats and kayaks and fishing there.
If tent camping and posible rain, site #37 was a LAKE. But most other sites I saw during our 2 days of downpouring rain looked good. Did see some racoons so make sure trash is up high (higher than ours....woke up to a mess!!)
I didn't stay in the cabins but they looked nice(nice porch for rainy weather) and I spoke to someone who had one and they liked it - but something about no food allowed in there??? Not sure so doublé check that.
All in all the ENTIRE family had an AWSOME time and can't wait to go back! Would HIGHLY recommend!!!
If tent camping and posible rain, site #37 was a LAKE. But most other sites I saw during our 2 days of downpouring rain looked good. Did see some racoons so make sure trash is up high (higher than ours....woke up to a mess!!)
I didn't stay in the cabins but they looked nice(nice porch for rainy weather) and I spoke to someone who had one and they liked it - but something about no food allowed in there??? Not sure so doublé check that.
All in all the ENTIRE family had an AWSOME time and can't wait to go back! Would HIGHLY recommend!!!
Written July 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeanna
Ansonia, CT142 contributions
Family
This is really a great place to come and camp and get away from everything. Though small, its other visitors are always pleasant. you also do not feel so cramped by the camping sites.
Written April 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TR-1
Connecticut20 contributions
Family
We went to Kettletown in mid-August for our annual camping trip. This was our third time at the park.
There are three camping areas at the park. The loop with sites 41-60 is very open, not much privacy at all. The only site with a little privacy is 58. Site 49 is literally steps from the bathroom and right next to the parking, but it does have water and electric. The main 'amenity' in this loop are the bathrooms. They are new and clean, I believe the ladies room has 7 stalls and 5 showers.
The main loop in the park is sites 1-30. There's not alot of privacy here either. Sites 23-30 are in a field, great for several families camping together. Sites 7 & 8 are right near the river and have a bit of privacy.
The loop with 31-40 is a little more secluded. Sites 36 & 37 are good size if you have more than one tent. There's no privacy in the separate sites, just the area as a whole. It's only a short walk to the bathroom - unless it's 3am, then it seems really long.
The main difference with the 1-40 sites is the bathroom. These bathrooms are sorely in need of a makeover. They are old and while not dirty, they've seen alot of use. The ladies room has 2 sinks, 5(I think) stalls and 1 shower. There are NO hooks anywhere. So if you want to hang up a toiletry bag or a towel you're out of luck.
PROS:
They try to have activities on the weekend during the summer, a craft for the kids and critter catching in the river. It depends on the staff available.
They show movies on Fri & Sat evenings during the summer.
It's close to several grocery stores & a small KMart if you forget anything.
It's right on the river if you want to try your hand at fishing (never saw anyone catching anything)
CONS:
On a nice summer weekend the river can be pretty busy with boat traffic. You'll be surprised how loud the boats are and how late they are running.
There's a beach, but I wouldn't swim at it.
We've always had a good time here. The kids always find someone to play with. We'll definitely go back.
There are three camping areas at the park. The loop with sites 41-60 is very open, not much privacy at all. The only site with a little privacy is 58. Site 49 is literally steps from the bathroom and right next to the parking, but it does have water and electric. The main 'amenity' in this loop are the bathrooms. They are new and clean, I believe the ladies room has 7 stalls and 5 showers.
The main loop in the park is sites 1-30. There's not alot of privacy here either. Sites 23-30 are in a field, great for several families camping together. Sites 7 & 8 are right near the river and have a bit of privacy.
The loop with 31-40 is a little more secluded. Sites 36 & 37 are good size if you have more than one tent. There's no privacy in the separate sites, just the area as a whole. It's only a short walk to the bathroom - unless it's 3am, then it seems really long.
The main difference with the 1-40 sites is the bathroom. These bathrooms are sorely in need of a makeover. They are old and while not dirty, they've seen alot of use. The ladies room has 2 sinks, 5(I think) stalls and 1 shower. There are NO hooks anywhere. So if you want to hang up a toiletry bag or a towel you're out of luck.
PROS:
They try to have activities on the weekend during the summer, a craft for the kids and critter catching in the river. It depends on the staff available.
They show movies on Fri & Sat evenings during the summer.
It's close to several grocery stores & a small KMart if you forget anything.
It's right on the river if you want to try your hand at fishing (never saw anyone catching anything)
CONS:
On a nice summer weekend the river can be pretty busy with boat traffic. You'll be surprised how loud the boats are and how late they are running.
There's a beach, but I wouldn't swim at it.
We've always had a good time here. The kids always find someone to play with. We'll definitely go back.
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mctrip5
Trumbull, CT2 contributions
Friends
This is a state park and the entry fee for vehicles with license plates of CT was $9/day. There are many picnic tables spread throughout the park allowing privacy between the groups. Our group was around 20 people and we had plenty of space to barbecue and play ball games. Even though it was a very hot day, the space we had was under some trees and it did not feel too bad Most certainly the ice cream truck that comes around from time to time made many kids happy. We also enjoyed kayaking and swimming on the lake.
Written July 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IndiaDaSilva
Monroe, CT234 contributions
I stay with family and friends every year. The cap site is near the lake. There are trails and picnic areas to have a relaxing day. It is a great place for kids.
Written March 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James P
Connecticut229 contributions
Friends
17 a night which is reasonable, No dogs are allowed in the park, Either is alcohol 70 dollar fine or eviction, The bathrooms are clean, The park has nice hiking trails that are well marked, Picnic areas are plentiful and clean, There is a swim area in the park no lifeguard on duty, The water is shallow nice for kids, The ranger station sells wood and ice, I didn't see a store at the park but the town of Southbury is a 10 minute drive
All the stores for all your needs
All the stores for all your needs
Written August 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Angela B
1 contribution
Are there grills and picnic tables at each site? Also, some reviews mention kids activities/movies - where can I see the schedule for these? I can't see anything on their website. Thanks.
Michael A
Little town, usa14 contributions
Hello,
Trying to plan a family gathering - does anyone know if there are pavillons and whether or not they can be booked in advance. I just get a recording when I call the park, probably not open yet for spring.
Thanks
RoseCTmom
STAMFORD4 contributions
I was wondering if there were refrigerators in the cabins? I was planning a 5 day trip and can't figure out how to keep food for 5 days.
CTTomChris
Southbury, CT18 contributions
We've never camped there , just hiked. It's great for that. We don't believe there's any refrigerators.
jeffnewman28208
jeffnewman2820810 contributions
Why does one review state the lake is not fit for swimming ?
Tom A
Newtown, CT114 contributions
It's not the Bahamas. It's a lake.
Karen
Derby, CT1 contribution
Hi I was wondering if anyone knows if site # 50 is all sun. One Review said all are sunny. But Anithet Reviewer said 50 was perfect. I don't want to change reservations again. Thanks for your help.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kettletown State Park
- Hotels near Kettletown State Park:
- (4.33 mi) Heritage Hotel and Conference Center
- (4.66 mi) Evergreen Bed & Breakfast
- (4.98 mi) Wyndham Southbury
- (5.73 mi) The Dana-Holcombe House
- (3.81 mi) Tranquil 1795 Carriage House set in two acres of gardens rimmed by forested hill
- Restaurants near Kettletown State Park:
- (3.22 mi) Rich Farm Ice Cream Shop
- (7.32 mi) Ferris Acres Creamery
- (5.32 mi) Sal e Pepe Restaurant and Bar
- (2.89 mi) Laurel Diner
- (3.29 mi) Leo's Restaurant