Branch Brook Campground, Thomaston, CT

Overview

Address

435 Watertown Rd, Thomaston, CT 06787, USA

Phone

(860) 283-8144

Website

http://branchbrookcampgroundct.com/

Operating Hours

Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

About

Introduction / Overview

Tucked away in the scenic Litchfield Hills of central Connecticut, Branch Brook Campground in Thomaston offers local residents a convenient and amenity-rich option for a peaceful outdoor retreat. Situated just off Route 6 and only a short drive from Route 84, this campground is a practical and accessible destination, whether you are planning an overnight stop on a longer journey or a week-long family vacation. It positions itself as a quiet, family-friendly location that successfully blends a traditional, rustic camping environment with essential modern conveniences.

The campground caters to a diverse mix of campers, accommodating everything from large RVs requiring full hookups to tent campers seeking a more traditional experience. Many sites are beautifully groomed and shaded, providing a comfortable respite from the summer sun. Local users appreciate the generally quiet atmosphere, often describing the park as serene. While it is home to a significant number of long-term seasonal campers, which fosters a friendly, neighborhood feel, it also reserves space for transient visitors. Management strives to maintain a balance, providing services like a sparkling pool and recreational fields to enhance the stay for all guests. The commitment of certain staff members, such as a helpful representative named Jodie mentioned in a review, to address site issues and assist guests, highlights the effort to ensure a pleasant experience.

Location and Accessibility

Branch Brook Campground is strategically located at 435 Watertown Rd, Thomaston, CT 06787, USA. This location is a major benefit for Connecticut residents due to its excellent road access. It is only about eight miles from Interstate 84, making it highly suitable for travelers seeking a convenient overnight stay. The proximity to major highways, including Route 8, minimizes the travel time spent on smaller, rural roads, a definite plus for those pulling large RVs or trailers.

One of the most appealing aspects of the location is its immediate access to outdoor activities. It is situated directly across the street from Black Rock State Park, which offers campers a host of opportunities for hiking and nature exploration without having to drive. Furthermore, the campground is located near the town of Thomaston, giving campers easy access to local necessities, including grocery stores and hardware shops, as well as quaint local dining spots like Patti's Place. While the campground is set in a peaceful, wooded area, its position near a main road means it is not completely isolated, which may be a consideration for those seeking absolute remote wilderness.

Services Offered

Branch Brook Campground is a full-service facility designed to make your camping experience comfortable and effortless, providing a strong mix of essential utilities and recreational amenities.

Campsite Hookups: The campground offers full hookup sites (FHU) for RVs, including water, electric (30/50 Amp), and sewer. Other sites are available with just water and electric, and dedicated primitive tent sites are also available.
Connectivity: A notable highlight is the superior Wi-Fi service, often rated better than at comparable campgrounds, making it a viable spot for visitors who need to work remotely or stream content during their stay.
Restroom and Laundry Facilities: Clean and well-maintained restroom and shower facilities are available 24 hours a day. There is also a 24-hour, coin-operated laundromat located adjacent to the pool area.
Recreation Room: The multi-use Rec Room is equipped with arcade games, a pool table, and a TV for entertainment on rainy days or quiet evenings.
Camp Store/Snack Shack: The on-site store, open during office hours, stocks essential camping supplies, including ice, firewood, snacks, drinks, and ice cream (Cash or Cash App is typically accepted).
Pet Policy: Pets are permitted at the campground, though a strict leash policy is enforced, and pet owners are expected to clean up after their dogs.
Seasonal Stays: The campground accommodates a large number of seasonal sites, offering winter and summer seasonal rates for those who wish to make Branch Brook their long-term base camp in Connecticut.

Features / Highlights

The campground offers several attractive features that appeal to both families and couples seeking a relaxing but engaging stay in the Litchfield Hills region.

Swimming Pool: A beautiful, well-maintained swimming pool provides a perfect place to cool off and relax during the warm New England summer months.
Black Rock State Park Access: Its proximity to Black Rock State Park means campers have immediate access to dedicated hiking trails and nature areas, significantly expanding the recreational opportunities.
Branch Brook Access: The campground is bordered by the peaceful Branch Brook, providing a lovely, tranquil setting and opportunities for fishing in the stream right on-site.
Recreational Amenities: Beyond the pool, the park features a playground for children and a new pickleball court, ensuring there are diverse activities for all ages.
Shady, Spacious Sites: The vast majority of the 79 sites are nicely shaded by mature trees, creating a quiet and inviting ambiance, with large, grassy sites capable of accommodating big rigs (up to 40' in some sections).

Contact Information

For reservations, inquiries about seasonal stays, or current information on amenities and rates, please use the following contact details:

Address: 435 Watertown Rd, Thomaston, CT 06787, USA

Phone: (860) 283-8144

Mobile Phone: +1 860-283-8144

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Branch Brook Campground is an excellent choice for Connecticut locals because it offers a centralized, full-service camping experience within a desirable area of the state. Its location provides the "best of both worlds": the quiet, shaded serenity of a Litchfield Hills retreat combined with the practical convenience of being close to major roads and local towns. For RV owners, the availability of clean, full-hookup sites, strong Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities ensures a stress-free stay, whether for a quick weekend or an extended visit. The campground's family focus, evident in the pool, playground, and rec room, makes it particularly suitable for local families looking for a staycation alternative to the shore. Furthermore, for those who love hiking and exploring, the unparalleled access to Black Rock State Park right across the road means you can enjoy Connecticut’s beautiful natural trails without ever getting back into your car. Branch Brook Campground provides the perfect backdrop for creating easy, enjoyable family memories, allowing locals to tap into the natural beauty of their state with minimal travel effort.

Reviews

We stayed at this campground for eight days. Upon arrival, we encountered an issue with our assigned site being too small to accommodate our camper, necessitating an unconventional parking arrangement that left minimal space on the site (see photos). Jodie, a representative from the campground, offered to relocate us; however, by the time we spoke, we had already completed the unhooking process. Nonetheless, an alternative option was provided, which was appreciated. Jodie consistently demonstrated exceptional pleasantness and helpfulness. The Wi-Fi service was notably superior to that experienced at other campgrounds. The rationale behind our three-star rating stems from our experiences during our stay. Having specifically requested an end-cap site for privacy, as we work from our RV, we were dismayed by the constant presence of children and parents traversing our site, often parking bicycles adjacent to our bumper (see photos). Despite polite requests to refrain from doing so, these individuals persisted. Furthermore, the proximity of a path across the stream, which was frequently utilized by dirt bikes, generated considerable noise all week. Our site was also marred by the presence of broken glass. All through the campground there was dog feces. Notably, the office was consistently unattended, with check-in procedures being entirely virtual, and an absence of security or gated access. The campground primarily accommodates seasonal sites, although we did encounter friendly neighbors adjacent to our location. Overall, our experience at this campground was underwhelming. We stayed at site 34 which was a FHU. This park is 8 miles from 84 and would be a good place for an over night stay for long travels.

Apr 20, 2025 · The Bates Motel RV

Campground is in idea location. Issue we had were the office was closed most of the time. Second, maintenance or ground keeper carried himself like he owed the campground. First day he told me to move our stuff cause he needed to mow the area which wasn’t really the problem, my issue was getting on me about my dog being on a leash. I was literally grabbing one out of my car to put her on it. He kept telling me campground strict and again said to put my dog on a leash. I explained I was in the process. Seems he gave an ok for his friends to shoot off fireworks to where I had to put my dogs inside, seeing they get very nervous with fireworks. Was surprised this is allowed at this campground. Bathrooms were clean when we arrived but never cleaned for 3 days. Men’s or women’s. Last I had parked near the building while my wife was using the facility and stayed far left as possible for any other campers who might be registering. Again maintenance kid complained to my wife on how I parked. Owners might want to have a talk with the kid before other complaints. Positive note, campground is quiet, shady and easy to maneuver around.

Aug 14, 2024 · Hal Fellows

We stayed here one night, mid-week, in early June, so there were many nicer sites vacant. This is what the campground judged adequate to put us on??? Beware… if you choose to reserve here, you may want to specify not to be given a site in the trashy part of the campground… we were surrounded by these “beauties”… There was no logical reason not to give us a better, decent site. Very disappointing, and we will definitely not return here.

Jun 05, 2024 · Marie-Claude Thellend

**Late post** Campground: Branch Brook Campground State Park City, State: Thomaston, Connecticut Check-in: April 11, 2023 Check-out: April 12, 2023 Site Number: 7 Our Set Up: Class C Motorhome (32 feet) plus TOAD We Liked: It was the only campground open in Connecticut, anywhere near Hartford given the time of year. It had opened a week or two earlier. Easy access to I-84. We Didn't Care For: It wasn't a big deal for our overnight but there seem to be quite a few seasonal RVs and they weren't in the best shape. Made sections of the campground look dumpy. Bathroom had seen better days. Overall Assessment: We never saw anyone working at the office but saw several maintenance workers preparing sites for the upcoming season. Pool and common room were closed (seasonal) but looked decent. Camp roads a wee bit narrow which made backing into spot a little precarious. Would definitely consider for an overnight in the future.

Jun 17, 2023 · Matthew Falls (lobstahtrap)

Pros: Better wi-fi than most campgrounds. My wife and I both were able to work with mostly no issues, though there were some situations where it would go out. Same with streaming, we could stream a show but it would occasionally have to buffer so it wasn’t great but again, better than most campgrounds. Spaces were decent sized. We were in site 16 and it was on the creek which was a decent view and gave us plenty of space to sit outside and for our dog to have space to roam. Cons: As a disclaimer to this I want to emphasize that we had nothing physically dangerous happen to us nor any real threat of that. However, my wife just felt it important to mention that as a woman she would have felt unsafe camping here alone due to the fact that it was mostly men camping here, one of which did make her feel a bit uncomfortable. So she just felt it was good to warn any potential women who might be camping alone that this may not feel like the safest campground for you. Our site had a “deck” outside which was great but it had some very weak boards that you could have easily fallen through. They did have mats over those spots (as pictured) but it still felt very unsafe to walk on. Other reviews have mentioned that it didn’t seem like the office was ever opened and while we never had a reason to go to the office, it was closed early in the day when we arrived and we never saw anyone who appeared to work for this campground so I can imagine it could have been difficult to get any assistance if you needed it. Overall: Not the worst place you could stay at by any means but definitely not the best. Just a very average campground that’s probably best for if you’re just passing through the area.

Oct 24, 2022 · Charlie & Danielle Barrett

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