Connecticut features scenic outdoor beauty with nearly 27 state forests, 65 state parks, and many rolling hills. Such topography makes it an ideal place to go fishing, camping, hiking, and swimming. Whether you want to go tent camping or are after a luxurious RV camping experience, Connecticut campgrounds have it all sorted for all types of campers. There are also many heavily forested wilderness regions in the state, perfect for rustic camping experiences.
Connecticut is a state in the U.S, located in the southernmost part of New England, along the Atlantic coastline. It is a diverse state dominated by quaint towns, some rural regions as well as coastal cities.
It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, by Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Connecticut River is its main highlight and also one of the major American rivers to bisect Connecticut evenly.
Here is a list of some of the rugged sites that are also the best places to go camping in Connecticut. We will elucidate each campground in detail and see what all amenities it has got in store for avid campers.
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Top 19 Best Places to go Camping in Connecticut:
1. Hidden Acres Family Campground
Hidden Acres Family Campground is one of the best Connecticut campgrounds for remote camping.
It has over 180 wooded sites for RV as well as tent camping. You will also find basic amenities here, such as free Wi-Fi, clean showers, Laundromat, free cable, etc. The campground welcomes pets, but they must be on a leash.
A rental fee is required.
Attractions:
- Quinebaug River
- Mystic Aquarium and Seaport
- Gillette’s Castle
2. Hammonasset State Park
Hammonasset Beach State Park is Connecticut’s largest shoreline park that offers relaxing ambiance and over the 2-mile long beach where you can go swimming, strolling, etc.
The campground has over 550 grassy campsites for tent and RV camping. Few of the sites have electric, sewer and water hookups for RVs as well. Other amenities include dump stations, camp store, restrooms, showers, and water.
Pets are NOT allowed in this campground, and camping here is not free.
Attractions:
- Meigs Point Nature Center
- Indian River Marina
- East Wharf Beach
3. Rocky Neck State Park
The Rocky Neck Campground is located on Long Island Sound near the town of East Lyme. The 710-acre Rocky Neck State Park has various picnic areas, white sandy beaches, diverse trails, and salt marshes.
If you want to go camping near Hartford CT, Rocky Neck is your best option, as the park is located about 1 hour southeast of Hartford.
The campground has over 160 wooded as well as open drive-in sites for RV and tent camping (Learn more about Type of Camping) . You can choose from shady, woody, grassy, or open sunny sites for camping.
RV hookups are not available, but there is a dump station, and each site is equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, etc.
RVs up to 35 feet are permitted. Dogs are NOT permitted in Rocky Neck.
Attractions:
- Long Island Sound
- Hole-in-the-Wall Beach
- McCook Beach
4. Lone Oak Campsites
Lone Oak Campsites is a warm, family-friendly campground situated in East Canaan CT. The campground sits at the Berkshire foothills at the base of the Canaan Mountains.
This 250-acre campground has over 469 campsites with various full hookup sites. You can choose any location from sunny field or under the shade of woods. There are quite a few tent-only sites (https://outdoorwithj.com/best-dome-tent/) as well with no hookups for that rustic experience of camping.
It is one of the most popular pet-friendly campgrounds in CT.
Camping here requires paying a rental fee.
Attractions:
- Berkshire Mountains
- Farmington River Tubing
- Catamount Adventure Park
5. Austin Hawes Memorial – American Legion State Forest
Austin Hawes Memorial Campground is one of the cushy areas to go RV or tent camping. For fun, campers can go kayaking or tubing down the Farmington River here. The campground is on West River Road, midway between Pleasant Valley and Riverton.
It has over 34 sites in pine woods, and each site allows up to 6 guests. There are no electricity hookups provided here. And you need to bring your motorhomes, RV, trailers, vans, or tents.
Basic amenities of the campground include toilet, potable water, picnic table (https://outdoorwithj.com/best-camping-table/), sewage hookups, dump station, and showers.
Per the site, one pet is permitted.
Attractions:
- Farmington River
- Stone Museum
- Pleasant Valley
6. Strawberry Park
Strawberry Park is nestled in southeastern Connecticut and is surrounded by ocean beaches, streams, and lakes. This 160-acre campground is only 14 miles from Mystic or 5 miles off I-395.
The park has various wooded and shaded sites, as well as open lawns for RV or tent camping (https://outdoorwithj.com/best-waterproof-camping-tent/). You will also find many pet-friendly RV trailers here. Large sites consist of full hookups for RVs, including pull-throughs with 50 amp electric hookups.
It is also one of the best parks where you can go fall camping in CT, as it offers full & WEC seasonal sites.
Pets are permitted here.
Attractions:
- Maple Lane Farms
- Dalice Elizabeth
- Stone Bridge Farm
7. West Thompson Lake Campground
West Thompson Lake Campground is located in northeastern Connecticut, near the wooded shoreline of West Thompson Lake.
The facility has over 24 sites, including 11 basic sites (no hookups), 2 Adirondack lean-to sites, and 11 water/electric hookup sites. The 200-acre lake has boat launch, over 4 miles of trails, 18-hole disc golf course, and various picnic shelters.
Basic amenities here include a dump station, flush toilets, and showers.
You need to pay a rental fee to camp in West Thompson.
Attractions:
- 200-acre West Thompson Lake
- Town of Putnam
- Town of Thompson
8. Kettletown State Park
Kettletown State Park offers mesmeric views of Lake Zoar on the Housatonic River along with a shaded picnic area and a beautiful campground. The 605-acres park is nestled within the towns of Oxford and Southbury.
The campground has over 63 sites in wooded as well as open areas, along with basic amenities like picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. Maximum RV’s and trailers length permitted is 28’.
Pets are NOT allowed in this campground.
Attractions:
- Lake Zoar
- Housatonic River
- Naugatuck Valley
9. Odetah camping resort
Odetah camping resort provides an incredible camping experience for all types of campers, whether you are a seasoned veteran with Class A motorhome or an amateur tent camper. The campsites are unique here, including group camping areas, private sites, and few waterfront sites.
Odetah’s full hookup sites come with sewer, water, and 30amp/50 amp electric hookups. There are also fire rings, free Wi-Fi and picnic tables provided at these sites.
Besides, there a few tent sites for primitive camping with water connections located nearby. Tent sites are located in wooded hillside, at waterfront, as well as in group field areas.
Odetah resort also offers water/electric/gray water sites and spacious pull-through sites.
Pets are allowed at this resort.
Attractions:
- 32-acre Lake
- Odetah Tram
- Slater Memorial Museum
10. Salem Farms campground
Salem Farms Campground is nestled in rural Salem and offers 157-acres of beautiful area for camping in New London County, Connecticut.
Each camping site here nearly measures 40 X 50 ft. and up to 2000 sq. ft.
All the campsites here come with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, water hookup, 30/50 amp electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and gray water receptacles.
You can choose from shady, grassy, and open sites. The campground can accommodate your rig, be it of any size.
Pets are allowed at the campground. And, camping here requires renting the camping land.
Attractions:
- Mystic Seaport
- Gardner Lake
- Lake Hayward
- Rhode Island Beaches
11. Waters Edge Family Campground In Lebanon, Ct
Water’s Edge Family Campground is in Lebanon, CT, where you can enjoy camping at 10-acre Lake and partake in many recreational activities.
All the sites are equipped with basic amenities such as showers and toilets for RV, tent, or group camping. Whether you are looking for an RV seasonal site or a tent getaway, Water’s Edge Family Campground is an ideal option for both.
The campground is pet-friendly and offers spacious Dog Park as well. Also, you need to pay to camp in Water’s Edge.
Attractions:
- 10-acre Lake
- Lebanon Historical Society Museum and Visitors Center
- Salmon River State Forest
12. Black Rock State Park In Watertown, Ct
Black Rock State Park is tucked into the beautiful rolling Western Highlands hills. This 439-acre State Park offers 78 campsites in open field and wooded areas for RV and tent camping.
Wooded, steep ledges are covered with oak, pine, and hemlock to offer a beautiful setting for camping. Basic amenities such as bathrooms, a dump station, showers, swimming, fishing, etc. are available here.
Pets are not allowed in Black Rock State Park. Camping here is not free.
Attractions:
- Black Rock Pond
- Naugatuck Valley
- Busy Acres Tree Farm
13. Macedonia Brook State Park In Kent, Ct
The 2300-acre Macedonia Brook State Park has its terrain evolved from slow wearing down of the hard rock formation base.
To reach here, follow Route 341 west off the intersection of Route 341 and Route 7, right at the center of Kent. Go right onto Macedonia Brook Road and follow the park signs.
The park has over 51 sites with a rustic ambiance to provide amazing primitive camping experience. Amenities here consist of pit toilets and picnic shelters. You can enjoy stream fishing, hiking, picnicking and camping at Macedonia Brook.
Pets are NOT allowed in this campground setting.
Attractions:
- Blue Trail
- Cobble Mountain
- Catskill and Taconic Mountains
14. White Pines Campsites In Barkhamsted, Ct
White Pines Campsites is one of the hidden gems of Connecticut. It is in Barkhamsted and offers beautiful camping locations, various planned activities, excellent amenities, and many recreational opportunities. You can enjoy fly fishing here in the scenic Farmington River or even go tubing at Satan’s Kingdom located nearby.
This perfect campground has around 209 sites, both for RVs as well as tents. Campers can choose from open sunny sites, private cabins, or individual wooded sites for secluded camping experience.
Showers, water hookups, electric hookups, sewer hookups, toilets, etc. are some of the basic amenities provided at this campground. And it is also pet-friendly.
Camping rates will be applicable.
Attractions:
- Farmington River
- Pleasant Valley
- Housatonic River
15. Pachaug State Forest Camping
Pachaug encompasses 26,477-acres of the region and is the largest State Forest in Connecticut. It is spread across 6 towns, namely, Sterling, Voluntown, Griswold, Plainfield, Preston, and North Stonington.
For camping, there are 3 main campgrounds here.
Green Falls Campground is located off Route 138 and has over 18 wooded sites. Here you can enjoy swimming and pond fishing. Camping charges are applicable, and one pet is allowed per site.
Next is Mount Misery campground located off Route 49, which offers 22 wooded sites. Here you can go swimming and stream fishing nearby. Pets are allowed in this campground as well. The camping fee is required to camp in the Pachaug State Forest Camping site.
Lastly, the Frog Hollow Horse Camp has over 18 semi-wooded sites, exclusively reserved for equestrian use.
Attractions:
- Pachaug State Forest
- Town of Voluntown
- Yurechko Tree Farm
16. Hopeville Pond State Park
Hopeville Pond State Park is popularly known for its glacial geologic features. The park encompasses the beautiful Pachaug River and is famous for fishing and various water sports opportunities. You can even enjoy hiking and bicycling here.
You can go swimming, fishing or camping at the peaceful shoreline of the Hopeville Pond.
The Hopeville Pond campground has over 80 sites in a wooded setting to give a nice warm camping feel. Each site is equipped with picnic tables, bathrooms and there’s even a boat launch ramp and a dumping station available here.
This 544-acre state park is located in Griswold, Connecticut. To reach here, take Exit 24 off I-395. Follow the Hopeville Road until ‘Y’ intersection and turn right. Off Route 201, the park entrance is nearly ½ mile to the right.
Pets are not allowed at this campground.
Attractions:
- Pachaug River
- Pachaug State Forest
- Green falls Recreation Area
17. Chamberlain Lake Campground
Chamberlain Lake Campground offers the best tent camping in CT with many fun activities and recreational opportunities. The 50-acre lake is great for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Located along Route 197 Woodstock, the campground has a nice, scenic rural ambiance in the upper Northeast tip of Connecticut.
The campground has over 105 sites, including nine tent sites located down near the lake. The sites are nestled within the trees to provide shade during hot summers. A new facility of cable hookups is added to all the campsites, except for the safari field and tent-only sites.
The safari field has over 20 sites for tent and RV camping with water and power facilities. Other amenities include laundry, showers, a children’s area, L.P. Gas, and a store.
The campground is pet-friendly.
Attractions:
- 50-acre Chamberlain Lake
- Hansen Family Tree Farm
- High Spring Orchard
18. Seaport RV Resort
Seaport RV Resort is located on 45 Camp Ground Road, Old Mystic, Connecticut. The green and lush resort lie along the beautiful shores of Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Here you can enjoy a tent (https://outdoorwithj.com/best-dome-tent/) as well as RV camping. There are many on-site activities and amenities to partake in and spend your day such as pickleball, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, bocce ball, miniature golf, etc. You can even enjoy swimming in the heated pool during summers or get all cozy to a campfire at night.
Attractions:
- Mystic Aquarium
- Mystic Seaport- The Museum of America and the Sea
- Misquamicut Beach Rhode Island
19. Stony Brook Park CT
Stony Brook Park is located on Ledge Road in Darien, Fairfield County, Connecticut. This 11.3-acre natural park offers trails for short hikes, a small campground, and a beautiful waterfall.
It is located between I-95 and the northeast corridor railroad tracks.
There are various benches placed along the cascading waterfall where you can sit and enjoy the relaxing sounds of waterfalls.
It has over four naturally wooded sites for primitive camping.
Attractions:
- Small waterfall
- Hiking trail
Conclusion
Connecticut campgrounds are quite serene and persuading for RV and tent camping. These sites are mostly family-friendly, safe, and provide scenic views of lakes, rivers, and forested wilderness. I hope this list of the top 19 best places to go camping in Connecticut helps you plan your weekend getaways with your family or friends!
