Camping @ Steep Rock
2023 Camping Season at Steep Rock
The 2023 camping season starts on April 14th, and is now open for reservations
Important note for 2023 season: Sites SR1 and SR2 will be closed for 2023 due to the Tunnel Road Bridge Replacement. There will be no parking or access to Steep Rock Preserve at River Road/Lower Church Hill. The only access to Steep Rock Preserve will be on Spring Hill Rd. off Route 199/Roxbury Rd.
Steep Rock Preserve is not your traditional campground. We offer three remote and rustic sites. We do not provide potable water so you must bring your own. We have an outhouse between campsites SR1 and SR2 and a separate outhouse at SR3; campers must provide their own toilet paper. WiFi is not available at any campsites.
Weekend camping at all sites is a 2-night minimum. All campsites must be reserved through our online reservation system. Campsite availability and reservations are first-come, first-serve basis.
CAMPING FEE: $35 per night / per camping site. Fee includes firewood. A $2 processing fee is charged for online reservations.
PLEASE NOTE: Three business days are required prior to reserving a campsite so we have time to ensure the site is prepared for your visit.
** We cannot guarantee firewood availability or site preparedness for reservations made less than 72 hours prior to arrival.
Please view additional Camping INFORMATION and CAMPING RULES.
Thank you for your support. All are welcome here. Enjoy your camping experience!
Just Imagine
Yourself sitting around a crackling fire under the brightly lit night sky listening to the Shepaug River meandering downstream. At Steep Rock, campers are surrounded by nature. Steep Rock offers tent camping at three different sites located right along the River. We invite you to come experience Steep Rock in a new way!
SR 1
(Closed for 2023 Season)
This site is suitable for group camping. Amenities include a grill, a campfire ring, two picnic tables, and a firewood rack. An outhouse is located on the woodland path between sites SR1 and SR2. No vehicle access; parking is in the main lot at the entrance to the Preserve.
Directions: Located on the west bank of the river, Site SR1 is approximately a 0.5-mile hike down the River’s Edge Loop (i.e. green circle trail). From the River’s Edge Loop, follow the signs for SR 1 down a short path that brings you to the campsite.
SR 2
(Closed for 2023 Season)
This site is suitable for group camping. Amenities include a grill, a campfire ring, two picnic tables, and a firewood rack. An outhouse is located on the woodland path between sites SR1 and SR2. No vehicle access; parking is in the main lot at the entrance to the Preserve.
Directions: Located on the west bank of the river, Site SR2 is approximately a 0.7-mile hike down the River’s Edge Loop (i.e. green circle trail). From the River’s Edge Loop, follow the signs for SR2 down a short path that brings you to the campsite.
SR 3
Set in the pines a short distance above the river with a beautiful view north. Amenities include a campfire ring, picnic table, and firewood rack. An outhouse is located at campsite SR3.
Directions: Vehicle access; This site is located on the east bank of the river near the end of Tunnel Road (just before the road climbs upward) and down a short path off the small parking area.
Information
PLEASE NOTE: Three business days are required prior to reserving a campsite so we have time to ensure the site is prepared for your visit.
While enjoying our trails, please be courteous and respectful of other visitors. Wildlife such as bears are common, especially when actively nesting and raising young. It is important to be “Bear Aware” and you can follow this helpful guide from DEEP.
We emphasize “Leave No Trace” practices to ensure quality experiences for everyone.
The Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered in Connecticut and we are very concerned about other potential invasive species being introduced; therefore, we will provide firewood at each reserved camping site. Please do not bring firewood into Steep Rock Preserve.
SRA continues to recognize the potential impact and dangers of the Covid virus, and we reserve the right to close our camping season, if necessary. Please read our Covid guidelines before reserving a campsite.
COVID-19 GUIDELINES:
• If you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.
• Privies, grills, picnic tables, firewood racks and other amenities will be operational but not sanitized, use at your own risk. Bring your own sanitizer to sanitize high-touch surfaces.
• Privies are confined and enclosed spaces; allow for time to pass, if possible, between non-household members using the privies.
• Masks/facial coverings are recommended, especially while in the enclosed space of the privy.
Please check availability and reserve online here.
If you have any questions prior to your visit, please call the office at 860-868-9131 or e-mail info@steeprockassoc.org. Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 8am- 4pm.
Please see our full list of camping rules below.
Camping Rules
- Tent camping only. No Campers or Trailers.
- Arrival time: 2:00 p.m.; Departure time: 11:00 a.m. Maximum 3 night stay.
- Camping fees: $35.00 per night, per camping site.
- Camping fees are non-refundable. Fees are due at the time of reservation.
- Steep Rock Association reserves the right to cancel a reservation at our discretion.
- Dogs are permitted but must be leashed at all times and all pet waste bagged and removed from the Preserve. This is for the safety of your dogs, our visitors, and the ecology of our preserves.
- Maximum 20 campers per site at sites SR1 and SR2. Maximum 6 campers per site at site SR3.
- No alcohol or weapons allowed.
- Quiet Hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily
- Remove all tent pegs. Fill and level all holes and ditches.
- Pack in all equipment. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices are restricted. For additional information, contact the SRA office at (860) 868-9131. Park cars in designated parking areas.
- Please leave the site at least as neat and clean as you found it.
- Campfires are permitted only in designated grills and/or fire rings. Do not leave fires unattended. Fires are prohibited if CT DEEP Fire Danger Rating is “High”, “Very High”, or “Extreme”. It is your responsibility to determine the Fire Danger Rating before lighting a fire.
- Do not cut standing timber. Use only firewood provided at site. Do not harm trees by chopping, carving, or driving nails. Do not bring in your own firewood.
- Do not litter: please carry out what you carry in.