Lake Waramaug State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $15 ($10 nonresident)Annual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 76 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- ctparks.com(860) 868-2592
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Lake Waramaug State Park is a park in Northwest Hills Planning Region County, about 16 miles southwest of Torrington.
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, boating, swimming, biking, and fishing. For overnight stays there are 76 campsites (RV sites and tent sites). If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Open Daily (8:00 a.m. – Sunset)
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles (resident) | Free |
| $15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays) (nonresident) | $15 |
| $10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays) (nonresident) | $10 |
| $112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass) (nonresident) | $112 · year |
Official wording
FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles $15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays) $10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays) $112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass)
Connecticut park passes
- Passport to the Parks — free parking for CT-registered vehicles (funded by an $8/yr vehicle registration fee from July 1, 2025). Day-use parking at all CT State Parks and Forests Details
- Out-of-state vehicle season pass — $112. Season parking for out-of-state vehicles (as listed on park fee boxes) Details
From the Connecticut state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76 RV/Tent Sites • Daily Rate: $17 resident/$27 non-resident plus processing fee
• Wooded and open sites with picnic table, fire ring, and grate
• Six-person maximum per site
• Maximum stay: 14 days | 76 | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
The Lake Waramaug Campground offers 76 campsites and six rustic cabins in wooded and open settings, many overlooking the adjacent lake. It’s a picturesque spot to watch the sun rise over the water each morning. The camping season begins Memorial Day Weekend and ends Columbus Day.
LAKE WARAMAUG CAMPGROUND
2026 Season: Opens Friday, May 22 and closes Monday, October 12 at noon
2027 Season: Opens Friday, May 28 and closes Monday, October 11 at noon. Cabins are available for rent on Fridays and Saturdays only. Cabins are not available after Labor Day weekend.
Campground Office: (860) 868-0220
Campground Map
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Campground office closes daily at 9:00 p.m. Campers must be on site by 8:45pm to check in.
- No alcohol
- No pets
- Camping in Connecticut State Parks and Forests
76 RV/Tent Sites
- Daily Rate: $17 resident/$27 non-resident plus processing fee
- Wooded and open sites with picnic table, fire ring, and grate
- Six-person maximum per site
- Maximum stay: 14 days
Six Rustic Cabins
- Daily Rate: $50 resident/$60 non-resident – plus processing fee, 15% occupancy tax, and refundable $50 security deposit
- Two-room cabins with double bed and two bunk beds
- Comfortably sleeps four people with space for up to six
- Available to reserve Fridays & Saturdays through Labor Day weekend; two night minimum required
- Closed Sundays - Thursdays
AMENITIES
- Bathhouses with hot showers, dishwashing, and potable water
- Concessions
- Firewood and ice available on site
- Dumping station
- Picnic shelters
RESERVE A CAMPSITE
- Online: Visit Reserve America
- By phone: 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Six Rustic Cabins• Daily Rate: $50 resident/$60 non-resident – plus processing fee, 15% occupancy tax, and refundable $50 security deposit • Two-room cabins with double bed and two bunk beds • Comfortably sleeps four people with space for up to six • Available to reserve Fridays & Saturdays through Labor Day weekend; two night minimum required • Closed Sundays - Thursdays
Things to do
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingPicnickingSnorkeling and scubaSwimming
Swimming
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Current Water Quality Report (updated weekly, Memorial Day – Labor Day)
- Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information
Though the lake is popular with the leaf peeping set in the fall, it’s an amazing swimming hole for cooling off in the summertime. Set against a backdrop of the lush Litchfield Hills, it’s an idyllic destination to head with your swimsuit and picnic basket in tow.
Mostly surrounded by private homes, the state park beach is the only public access point on this massive 656-acre lake.
Boating and paddling
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Help protect Lake Waramaraug’s pristine waters from invasive plants – inspect your boat for any vegetation before dropping in!
- Boating and Paddling
- Paddling in Connecticut
- Paddling Safety
Considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and featured in the book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”, there is perhaps no better vantage point to this treasured lake than from the water itself. Bring your own boat - or rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard!
CANOE AND KAYAK RENTALS
Kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals are now available for the 2026 Season. Rental services are provided on site by Litchfield Paddle (contact info below). Please be aware that rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and that rental operations close for inclement weather.
Read more from the park
RENTAL AVAILABILITY
- Prior to June 19: Weekends, 10am-6pm; Weekdays by appointment, availability varies: check Litchfield Paddle website for availability
- June 19-August 30: Daily, 10am -6pm (weather permitting)
- After August 31st: Weekends, 10am-6pm; Weekdays by appointment, availability varies: check Litchfield Paddle website for availability
RENTAL RATES
- Single seat kayak or paddleboard: $35 per hour
- Tandem kayak: $50 per hour
- Canoe: $75 per hour
A 25% discount is available on weekdays before 12pm. Accepted forms of payment: major credit cards, ApplePay, GooglePay and cash.
RENTAL QUESTIONS?
Paddlecraft rental services are provided by Litchfield Paddle
95 Old South Road, Litchfield, CT 06759
Phone: 860-567-8820
Website: Litchfield County Paddleboard and Kayak Rentals
BOAT LAUNCH (CAR TOP / CARRY-IN BOATS ONLY)
To reach the boat launch: From Route 45, go west on Lake Road to North Shore Road. Boat launch is roughly 100 feet away from the parking area. Only car top and carry-in boats are allowed. Power boats may only be launched on Lake Waramaug at the Town of Washington's Boat Launch. More information, including fees, hours and regulations, is available on the Town of Washington Parks and Recreation Commission webpage.
Fishing
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Before heading out, be sure to check the latest conditions and fishing regulations.
Dubbed “Waramaug,” by the Wyantenock Tribe, the lake’s name literally translates to “place of good fishing”. And it lives up to its name. The glacial lake is the second largest natural lake in the state – and one of the cleanest – and has some of the best largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing around, especially for larger-sized bass more than 16 inches in length. Keeping the bass company are plentiful schools of perch, sunfish, bullhead, and more. Head to the lake for four seasons of fishing – even when the lake freezes over!
Types of fish: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead, sunfish
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Parking
Picnic tables
Restrooms
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
- An alcohol ban is in place at Lake Waramaug State Park
- Bus Permits are required for mid-size and full-size buses seating 30 or more passengers
Getting there
- Address
- 30 Lake Waramaug Road
Kent/New Preston, CT 06777 - Nearest town
- Torrington — about 16 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.7063, -73.3834
- Phone
- (860) 868-2592
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Connecticut State Parks and Forests — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- DEEP 'Find a Park or Forest by Name' list (portal.ct.gov) merged with the ctparks.com ParkFinder search service
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology