American Legion State Forest

Length of stays: 7 Days

Months: May, June, September - Over Various Years

American Legion State Forest – Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground Review

Located in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted in northwestern Connecticut, American Legion State Forest's Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground is a great destination for campers looking for a quieter, more traditional camping experience surrounded by forest and the West Branch of the Farmington River.

The campground currently offers 30 RV/tent campsites and six rustic cabins, nestled among the pine woods alongside the river. The relatively small size of the campground is actually part of its charm. It has a much more intimate feel than many larger commercial campgrounds, while still providing good access to outdoor recreation.

Farmington River Recreation

One of the campground's biggest attractions is its location along the West Branch of the Farmington River, a designated Wild and Scenic River. The river is popular for tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Fishing at the campground is catch-and-release only, so anglers should always check the current regulations before fishing.

The river is easily visible from portions of the campground, but campers should know that direct access to the river from the campground can be challenging. The riverbank is steep in areas and there are no stairs leading down to the water. Anyone carrying tubes, fishing equipment, coolers, or other gear should use extra care when making the descent.

Most tubers choose to drive approximately a mile or so upstream to a more level river access and put-in locationrather than attempting to launch directly from the campground. This makes getting into the river considerably easier and is generally a better option for families and anyone carrying larger amounts of gear.

Campsites, Layout & Privacy

One of the pleasant surprises at Austin F. Hawes is how level many of the campsites are. Whether you're camping in an RV, travel trailer, or tent, most sites provide a relatively easy setup without having to spend much time dealing with steep or uneven ground.

Site surfaces vary. Some sites have gravel or grass, while others have more of a natural forest-floor character with soil, roots, and surrounding vegetation. Despite those differences, the sites are generally quite level and practical for both RV and tent camping.

For a relatively small campground, the sites are also nicely spaced apart. You generally don't feel as though you're camping directly on top of your neighbors. The natural lower vegetation, brush, and forest understory provide a surprising amount of privacy and separation between sites, while still maintaining the rustic character of the campground.

Each standard campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring, and grate. The campground permits a maximum of six people per site, and Connecticut State Parks currently lists two accessible campsites available by reservation.

The campground roads are gravel but generally well maintained, and the combination of good road conditions and mostly level campsites makes getting an RV, trailer, or tent established relatively straightforward.

NOTE: Campsites along the two western sides of each loop are close to the entry road do have some daily road noise, not bad, mostly folks wanting to drive the scenic route from nearby Riverton down to the bridge past the campground.

Bathhouses & Accessibility

The campground has bathhouse facilities serving the camping loops, with facilities positioned to provide access to campers throughout the campground. ADA access at the bathhouses is generally good, and American Legion State Forest is specifically listed by Connecticut State Parks among its campgrounds with accessible restroom facilities.

Accessibility at individual campsites is somewhat more limited. Not every campsite has an ADA-accessible picnic table, so campers who require specific accessibility features should verify the site details when making their reservation.

Current Bathhouse Construction

There is an important 2026 update that prospective campers should know about. Connecticut State Parks is currently moving forward with two new bathhouse facilities at Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground as part of the state's ongoing park improvement program. Conditions and availability of particular facilities may therefore change during construction.

This is a good example of why campers should check the current Connecticut State Parks information before their trip rather than relying solely on older reviews.

Rustic Cabins

For those who want something between tent camping and a traditional RV experience, the campground offers six rustic cabins.

The cabins are two-room structures measuring approximately 14 by 17 feet. Most have a double bed in the front room and two sets of bunk beds in the back, comfortably sleeping four people with a maximum occupancy of six. They are spacious enough to make a comfortable base camp while still retaining a distinctly rustic camping atmosphere.

The cabins do not have kitchens or bathrooms, and linens, bedding, and cooking utensils are not provided, so guests need to bring what they require. Cooking and food preparation are not permitted inside the cabins.

Unlike my earlier description, the current Connecticut State Parks information indicates that the cabins do have electricity. Toilet and handwashing facilities are located nearby, although campers should check current conditions because early-season water availability can vary.

Each cabin site also provides an outside picnic table and fire ring, allowing cabin guests to enjoy the same outdoor camping experience as those staying in tents or RVs.

Cabin check-in begins at 2:00 p.m., check-out is 11:00 a.m., and cabin renters must be on-site to check in by 5:30 p.m., when the campground office closes. Current state information also lists a minimum two-night cabin rental.

Campground Store & Nearby Supplies

There is no traditional campground store, although Connecticut State Parks currently lists firewood and ice as available on-site.

For basic supplies, there is a well-stocked convenience store across the river just outside the campground, which is convenient for picking up food, beverages, ice, and other everyday necessities.

For campers wanting a much larger selection of groceries and supplies, Winsted, Connecticut, is approximately six miles up the road. Winsted provides additional shopping options, including a large Stop & Shop, making it a convenient place to stock up for a longer camping stay.

Firewood is available at the check-in station and last I purchased it, it was $7.00 per bundle.

Reservations & Camping Season

Reservations can be made through ReserveAmerica, and advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekends.

The campground's current 2026 operating season runs from Friday, April 10 through Monday, October 12 at noon. Connecticut State Parks also permits rustic camping during the off-season, but campers should verify the current rules and available facilities before planning an early- or late-season visit.

Weekend sites can book quickly, so campers who have a specific weekend in mind should reserve well in advance. Weekdays are generally much quieter, and pre-season and off-season dates can be especially sparsely populated, making them attractive options for anyone looking for a more peaceful camping experience.

Campers should also be aware that early-season conditions can differ considerably from peak-season camping. Connecticut State Parks notes that during the early season, rustic camping may be in effect and bathrooms, showers, and running water may not be available, with portable toilets provided instead.

Monday Maintenance Activity

If you're staying Sunday night into Monday, there is another practical consideration. Maintenance crews typically arrive early on Mondays, and you may hear the normal sounds associated with campground maintenance, including leaf blowers, lawn mowers, waste-disposal trucks, and dumpsters being serviced.

The occasional sound of dumpster doors opening and closing can also be heard. It's a normal part of maintaining a public campground, but campers seeking maximum peace and quiet may want to take this into consideration when planning their stay.

RV Dump Station

For RV campers, there is a dump station outside the campground when approaching from the north. The entrance is not particularly well marked, so slow down as you approach.

The entrance is located on the left as you descend a short entrance road. It can be easy to drive past if you're not watching for it, particularly when towing a trailer or traveling in a larger RV.

NOTE: This station's flush hose does have a standard hose connection for your RV back flush connector - that's huge.

A Great Base for Outdoor Recreation

Beyond the campground itself, American Legion State Forest provides access to a variety of outdoor activities. The forest's rugged terrain, river valley, trails, wildlife, and historic features make it a good base for hiking, photography, fishing, tubing, kayaking, wildlife watching, and general outdoor exploration.

The Henry Buck Trail, for example, winds approximately 2.1 miles through the forest and passes historic mill sites, rock formations, and overlooks toward the river valley.

Overall Impression

American Legion State Forest's Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground is not a resort-style campground, and that's exactly what makes it appealing. The experience is centered around woods, river recreation, campfires, hiking, fishing, tubing, and simply enjoying the outdoors.

The 30 campsites are generally level, well spaced, and naturally private, while the six rustic cabins provide another way to enjoy the campground without sleeping in a tent or RV. The gravel roads are well maintained, the staff have generally been friendly and welcoming, and the campground's location along the Farmington River gives it a character that is difficult to duplicate.

For campers looking for a quieter experience, weekday, pre-season, and off-season stays can be particularly enjoyable. Weekend campers should plan ahead, however, because the campground's relatively small number of sites means popular weekends can fill quickly.

The campground is also conveniently located for supplies, with a nearby convenience store across the river and the larger shopping options of Winsted only about six miles away.

If you're planning a visit, I would strongly recommend checking the current Connecticut State Parks information before making the trip, particularly regarding operating dates, bathhouse availability, fishing regulations, construction projects, cabin conditions, and any changes to campground amenities.

River access tip: If tubing is part of your plans, consider using the more accessible upstream put-in rather than attempting to access the river directly from the campground. The campground's riverbank is steep and has no stairs, so use caution when approaching the water.

My only disappoint with this campground is that the ice machine hasn't worked for years - that may change with the 2026 park improvements.

Would I stay there again?

Absolutely. This campground is a gem (not hidden gem mind you - folks know about it) but, if you are looking for that great little, convenient and quiet campground — book it.

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Personal Experience & Accuracy Disclaimer

This review is based primarily on my personal experience staying at American Legion State Forest and the Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground many times over a period of more than 10 years. The observations regarding the campground, campsites, privacy, roads, river access, staff, noise, nearby services, and overall camping experience are based on my own experiences and personal observations.

I do not guarantee that all information contained in this review is accurate, current, complete, or applicable to every visit. Campground conditions, site configurations, amenities, regulations, operating dates, construction projects, accessibility, fishing rules, cabin specifications, and other policies can change over time.

This review does not represent or include the opinions, statements, recommendations, or experiences of any outside sources, organizations, agencies, or individuals. Information provided here should be considered a personal account and general reference only. Campers should verify current information directly with Connecticut State Parks and the campground before making reservations or beginning their trip, particularly when planning around seasonal dates, fishing, accessibility, construction, or specific amenities.

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