Kettletown State Park

Introduction of Kettletown State Park

Kettletown State Park, located on the eastern shore of the Housatonic River, is the quaint and peaceful state park you’ve been looking for. Kettletown State Park, which straddles the towns of Southbury and Oxford, was established in 1950 and has been a haven for nature and outdoor recreation ever since.

The park’s physical boundaries span nearly 600 acres, but its history dates back hundreds of years. Prior to 1758, the Pootatucks used the land for fishing, hunting, and farming. They were an agriculturally prosperous tribe that migrated northeast after settlers claimed ownership of the land. Today, not many remains of the tribe or the area they called home because it was submerged in water in 1919, forming Zoar Lake, which is the lake’s main focal point today.

For RV visitors, the lake still offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Hiking, picnicking, swimming, biking, and other activities are also available to visitors. There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied for more than one day. Fortunately, Kettletown State Park has 61 campsites where you can set up camp and enjoy a longer stay. The park is also located in Paugussett State Forest, a beautiful woodland area with hiking, biking, fishing, and boating opportunities.

Kettletown State Park Camping

Kettletown State Park’s campground has 61 campsites within walking distance of Lake Zoar’s beach. Except for one ADA-accessible site with water and electric hookups, the sites do not have hookups. On the plus side, you get stunning views of the lake. The campground has restrooms and water stations, as well as one dump station.

Some of the sites are well shaded, while others are more open, but they can all be reserved so that you have your preferred level of shade. The sites can only accommodate trailers and RVs up to 28 feet long, so if your rig is longer, you’ll have to find another location.

Kettletown State Park has no sites set aside for local sale only, so you should make reservations before you arrive to ensure you have a campsite. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance for the campground, which is open from late May to early September. It is important to note that pets and alcohol are not permitted in the campground, so don’t bring your pet or your booze.

Kettletown State Park Activities

Horseback Riding

Kettletown State Park’s trails are suitable for more than just hiking and biking; they also make an ideal setting for horseback riding. Because the trails are more likely to be crowded in the summer and spring, many riders prefer to wait until the off-season to enjoy the riding opportunities. It is not only cooler, but also quieter, and the snow-capped trees are arguably even more beautiful if you visit in the winter.

Wildlife Viewing

Because of the excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, nature lovers visit Kettletown State Park all year. The trails are the best place to see animals, but they are not the only place. Campers have reported seeing squirrels, rabbits, shorebirds, and even some deer and bears at the park. There are several more plant and animal species that call the park home; it’s fun to see how many you can spot in an hour.

Swimming

Swimming is permitted in the lake, but certain precautions must be taken. Pack your swim trunks and sunscreen in the RV. Always check the water quality report before entering the water to ensure that it is safe to swim in (fortunately, this can be found on the park’s website). If it says you’re fine, you can spend an afternoon, or even an entire day, splashing, swimming, and relaxing on the beach. Keep an eye on children because this is an unguarded beach.

Hiking

Kettletown State Park has about six miles of trails that are ideal for both hiking and biking. There are five distinct trails of varying difficulty that will take you virtually throughout the park and to several designated scenics overlooks. It is entirely up to you whether you explore them all or just one or two. The trails also provide an excellent introduction to Kettletown State Park’s fascinating geology.

Fishing

Freshwater fishing is permitted at Kettletown State Park, so bring your fishing poles and bait with you. The constant flow of the Housatonic River almost guarantees that there will be plenty of fish when you visit Lake Zoar. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, trout, catfish, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, and several types of sunfish. It would almost be a sin to leave the state’s fifth-largest freshwater body without fishing.

Kettletown State Park Location

This Connecticut park is easily accessible via any GPS-enabled device and is located off an adjacent road to Kettletown Road. Most people take I-84 to Exit 15, then navigate to the park from there, but your route may be slightly different. The park is only 18 miles from Danbury, a small town about 50 miles northeast of New York that is well worth a visit.

To keep the park as natural as possible, there are only a few paved roads, so you’ll need to bring another mode of transportation or be prepared to walk a lot. Many visitors bring bikes or scooters, while others opt for a hiking trip, but neither is a bad option.

You shouldn’t have any trouble navigating the roads, especially since only relatively short RVs are permitted, so towing an extra car isn’t entirely necessary. There are no particularly tight turns on the roads, but some areas are a little narrow. Make sure you have your park pass before entering and be prepared to pay an additional parking fee on weekends if you are not a Connecticut resident.

Parking

Parking is limited within the park due to the limited number of paved roads, but there is parking at the campground and where it is really needed.

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available