Black Rock State Park RV & Campground Guide
Connecticut
The roughly 444 acres that comprise Black Rock State Park are near Watertown in Connecticut. It is a small community with a winery, a golf course, and a history museum that may pique your interest. In 1657, European settlers were granted permission by tribes of the local Mohegan, Paugussett, and Tunxis indigenous peoples to mine the area of Connecticut known as the Naugatuck Valley.
Later on, in the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps teamed up to provide access roads and facilities to Black Rock State Park. Today, the park is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and visitors to the park occasionally still find an occasional arrowhead or a carved stone tool, evidence of the area's bygone eras. Burr Pond State Park in Torrington and Mt. Tom State Park in Litchfield are both nearby and well worth a visit.
Nearest Major Cities:
Stamford, CT
Hartford, CT
New Haven, CT
Springfield, MA
Providence, RI
Spring 38-61 F
Summer 63-81 F
Fall 42-64 F
Winter 25-41 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Black Rock State Park
Campground Accommodations
Black Rock State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: No
Max RV length: 35 feet
Other Amenities: Dump station, picnic tables, showers, ADA-accessible parking, flush toilets, fire rings, running water
Branch Brook Campground
Branch Brook is directly across from Black Rock State Park, and close to fishing, boating, and beaches.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: n/a
Other amenities: showers, laundry, swimming pool, rec hall
Cozy Hills Campground
Cozy Hills Campground has gem stone mining, a 12-acre fishing pond, canoes and kayaks, arts & crafts, and more.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: pool, outdoor laser tag, arcade, fishing pond, arts & crafts, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, weekend entertainment
What to Do at
Black Rock State Park
Open fields provide the opportunity to enjoy a ball game or a sporting match at the park. With plenty of restrooms and picnic tables available, the park makes for a great day trip, even if you're not staying overnight in one of the park's camping sites. Swimming and fishing are also popular activities for people who are visiting for the day.
With shady trails, streams, a pond, and a nearby lake, Black Rock State Park offers lots of choices when it comes to outdoor recreation.
Inside Black Rock State Park
The park is in the rolling hills of the Western Highlands, and offers many activities! Black Rock Pond, which got its name from the graphite deposits settlers were allowed to mine by the Native Americans, has steep, wooded ledges with a variety of trees. Take in the scenery while hiking the Mattatuck Trail, which connects the park to the Mattatuck State Forest.
You can also fish and swim at the park.
Fishing
Black Rock State Park has excellent fishing in the pond and in the streams that meander across the woods. The nearby Black Rock Lake is stocked with brown, rainbow, and brook trout. You are also likely to catch largemouth bass and pickerel. The calm and accessible waters and long shoreline make the park an excellent spot for beginning anglers.
Nature Watching
The shady picnic areas, vast pond area, and plentiful hiking trails provide ample opportunities to enjoy the splendor of nature at Black Rock State Park. Fall is an excellent time to visit, as the leaves change into fiery hues of bright orange, red, and yellow.
Stargazing
With lots of open fields and meadows, Black Rock State Park is an excellent spot for stargazing.
Flora and Fauna
Native pine, hemlock, and oak trees surround the Black Rock Pond, providing a lush, green canopy. During your visit, you're likely to spot wildlife such as deer, squirrels, and raccoons. The area is also home to black bears, bobcats, and foxes. Songbirds make their home in the park seasonally, and bird watchers can also keep an eye out for wild turkeys and ruffed grouse. In the evening, you'll love watching the bats fly around in search of food.
Hiking
The main trail at Black Rock State Park is the Mattatuck Trail, which connects from the Grey Stone section of Waterbury to the Wigwam Reservoir in the nearby town of Morris. Along this trail, you'll find many side trails wandering through the forest and offering lake and pond views, as well as excellent views of the Black Rock itself. Pets are welcome on the trails.
Boating
You can take a non-motorized boat on the pond, and the 21-acre Black Rock Lake is also nearby, offering peaceful waters for canoeing and kayaking.
Swimming
Black Rock Pond is a popular spot to go swimming, but you'll want to wait until the weather is warmer in the spring and summer months to do so. Black Rock Lake is also nearby and has lifeguards on duty in the summer.
Climbing
Although most people prefer to head elsewhere for some serious rock climbing, several large rocks are accessible for causal bouldering. There are a few classic climbing routes nearby in Mattatuck State Forest.
How to Get to
Black Rock State Park
From Watertown, head north on US-6 for a little over three miles, and keep an eye out for the park's entrance on your left. Coming from the north, take CT-8 S past the town of Torrington and take exit 38 for US-6 toward Watertown. Merge onto CT-8 South, and you'll see the entrance to the park on your right after about a mile.
Entering Black Rock State Park
Non-residents must pay a day-use parking fee of $15 on weekends and holidays. During the week, the parking cost is $10.
Black Rock State Park Weekdays : $10.0
Black Rock State Park Weekends : $15.0
Visiting Black Rock State Park is a wonderful way to experience the lush Connecticut landscape. There are so many outdoor activities and ways to learn about the history of the area. While you’re on your trip, don’t forget to tag us in your social media posts or send us a photo and some details at [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Rock State Park
For fishing, swimming, and hiking, the best time to enjoy Black Rock State Park is generally late spring through early fall. Fall also has the advantage of bringing with it a rich tapestry of colorful fall foliage.
Many small mammals, such as squirrels and chipmunks, make their home in the park. You may also spot deer, black bears, and foxes.
RVs are welcome at any of the campsites at the park, but there are no hookups available.
Reservations are required when camping at Black Rock State Park, and there is a nominal reservation fee. The cost to stay for Connecticut residents is $17 per night, while out-of-state residents pay $27.
Pets are not allowed in the camping areas or beaches at the park. However, you can bring them along with you if you are visiting for the day. They are permitted in the picnic areas and on the trails.
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