Best Campgrounds near Ashford, CT

Campgrounds around Ashford, Connecticut provide diverse options from family-oriented facilities to riverfront sites. Brialee Family Campground and Charlie Brown Campground offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV sites, while Peppertree Camping is situated along the Natchaug River. Most campgrounds in this northeastern Connecticut region operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with Wilderness Lake Park open from April 1 to December 1.

Access to campgrounds in the Ashford area generally requires driving on well-maintained roads, making most sites accessible for various camping setups including large RVs. Many campgrounds provide full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections, though some riverfront properties only offer gray water disposal due to environmental considerations. The camping season coincides with New England's pleasant summer and fall conditions, with many campgrounds closing during harsh winter months. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer season. A camper noted, "We chose the best spot for our first camping trip with our new travel trailer. Everyone assisted us and taught us the world of camping."

Family-friendly amenities characterize many of the established campgrounds near Ashford. Brialee Family Campground features a swimming beach, pool, and regular scheduled activities for children. Campgrounds situated along rivers, particularly Peppertree Camping and Nickerson Park Family Campground, receive positive reviews for their water access. According to one visitor, "The river that flows the length of the campground seemed clean and awesome. Staffers and other campers said kids tube down it when it's warmer, then just hop out and walk through the camp to start over again." Most campgrounds provide basic amenities such as showers, restrooms, and campfire rings, with on-site stores selling essentials including firewood. Several campgrounds maintain wooded sites offering privacy and shade, while others feature more open layouts suitable for larger groups.

Best Camping Sites Near Ashford, Connecticut (146)

    1. Brialee Family Campground

    14 Reviews
    Ashford, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 303-2267

    $25 - $150 / night

    "Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field. Nice sites. Decent laundry and showers. Great place with kids.....lots of seasonal, but plenty short term."

    "Nice hiking around the area. Bathrooms are clean. Good for kids/families."

    2. Wilderness Lake Park

    14 Reviews
    Willington, CT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 684-6352

    $70 / night

    "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."

    "It’s a dog friendly park which was good for us, our dog could swim in the lake with us. Cute patio overlooking the lake as well with seating."

    3. Charlie Brown Campground

    8 Reviews
    Eastford, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 974-0142

    "Surrounded by the Natchaug forest, and adjacent to the Natchaug River. Great activities for everyone."

    "Activities were still available with social distancing of course due to Covid. Close by was Taylor Brooke Winery which was the perfect place to while away a late summer afternoon."

    4. George Washington State Campground

    25 Reviews
    Pascoag, RI
    19 miles
    +1 (401) 568-6700

    $18 - $75 / night

    "So if you are confused about things like location, let’s knock that out first: This campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814."

    "The campground was safe, nicely laid out so we could have a series of sites next to one another. Biking was a blast for the kids along with trail hike around pond, beach, and fishing."

    5. Nickerson Park Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chaplin, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 455-0007

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Staffers and other campers said kids tube down it when it's warmer, then just hop out and walk back through the camp to start over again.  Walmart & Aldi's is 10-15 minutes away."

    6. West Thompson Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Grosvenor Dale, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 923-3121

    $15 - $30 / night

    "They have bathrooms and showers close by that (if I remember correctly/things haven’t changed too much in the past couple of years) were in relatively decent shape compared to others I’ve been in at campgrounds"

    "centrally located bathrooms/showers basketball court, playground and ampitheatre to keep the kids busy. hiking trails galore, disk golf, and swimming nearby. so fun!"

    7. Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park

    4 Reviews
    Pomfret Center, CT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 928-6121

    $14 - $29 / night

    "Close to a small walking path and a larger intermediate hiking trail. Bathrooms were clean and staff were friendly. Would definitely stay again."

    "Wished we had time to check out the hiking trails accessible from the campground."

    8. Peppertree Camping

    2 Reviews
    Ashford, CT
    2 miles
    Website

    "It’s a quiet campground, located right on a river. My children spent hours in it playing and fishing. Looking forward to returning."

    9. Wells State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Sturbridge, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 347-9257

    $17 - $55 / night

    "Beautiful campground in a nice central location nearby several nice towns in Central Massachusetts."

    "The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space. Camp sites are clearly labeled and none are that far of a walk from the beach or bathrooms."

    10. Stateline Campresort & Cabins

    9 Reviews
    Ballouville, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 774-3016

    $25 - $50 / night

    "The manager came up and they assigned me to a site next to the frog pond, but with our little kids I was t too keen on staying literally on the pond."

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Recent Reviews near Ashford, CT

741 Reviews of 146 Ashford Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great spot and good communication

    Was in town for the Elvis show. This was minutes from downtown definitely walkable. Will be back again!

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Mystic KOA

    KOA Mystic

    From the first interaction you see this KOA is customer focused. The staff is friendly, professional and helpful. The grounds are well maintained as are the facilities.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Giant area to pick a spot!

    So half the camp ground is closed for bathroom renovations but that still left the whole other half open and the whole campground by the water! The showers aren’t good, but that always comes with coin showers and not being able to choose the temperature. Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything. Great location and best park in Rhode Island. Can’t wait to go back and have the bathroom renovations done!

  • Kathleen S.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Loud and crowded!

    Know what you are getting... This is a family resort that charges$20/per night, per person, OVER the two people rate. It is loud, crowded, with golf carts and kids running around. It is a resort campground with pools, frisbee court and etc... This is not a quiet, restful place to stay to visit Boston and the surrounding area or to visit family in town. Entry is gated and controlled. Want to bring your college daughter back after dinner- forget it,$20 for her and$20 her friend, for 1-2 hour visit after 7:00 PM at night! When we return, we will stay at Spacious Skies CG or the state park. The cost and inconvenience is not worth it!

  • S
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    Close to a beach, serenity hiding in city life

    Some areas to hike on a small scale. Nice view of the water. No ocean views. Many unlevel sites. Fairly close together.

  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Lived up to its name

    Sites/facilities were as expected and I could have been very satisfied with our 1 night stay.  There are a lot of rules for camping here, which is confusing because there does not appear to be anyone to enforce them.  Late arrivals? Noise? I suspect that the couple who pulled into the site next to ours after 10PM with two cars and an infant are homeless and poached the site.  They were not there for the hiking or the camping experience and their infant child screamed or babbled through most of the night.  That plus the adults talking, car doors opening and closing, engine running, baby einstein videos playing...  In the morning they packed up and left.  I'm not an advocate of criminalizing homelessness, but if you are looking for a night in the woods listening to crickets and owls, this is not the place.

  • Michael
    Sep. 20, 2025

    The Quarry Campground

    The Quarry Campground

    Very quiet. At night all you can hear is the crackling of the campfire.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Fort Getty Campground

    Great Park Just Not for Camping

    Forty Getty Park RV Campground seems like a great location, with a good bit of history and a lot to offer to anyone visiting, which is why I was eager to visit it this past weekend while traveling through the Jamestown area of Rhode Island. I'd still call it a great place to visit, just not the best to attempt to stay at overnight or camp at. That is something else entirely in this case. 

    THE GOOD👍 Again, an absolutely gorgeous location on the shores of Jamestown😍 that being the park, NOT the campgrounds. The campground itself🏕 and particularly the⛺️ tenting section are pretty far removed from any of that and the water itself in reality. 

    THE Bad. In actuality, the campground looks to be a complete afterthought. More like, What should we do with this little grassy area next to the RV park?... oh maybe that can be for tents! Or,. Where the hell are we going to fit some tents⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️around here? Oh, I know, how about over on the hill by the bathrooms?🚻 next to the RV park fencing? Oh yeah, that sounds Perfect👍 

    The Ugly There's no Ugly. The people seem nice, the park is great,t and everyone working there was polite and courteous. It's just a shame they haven't given any real consideration to the camping section or provided a real space for campers to come enough the area. What you're left with is a grassy knoll with a bunch of tent sites tightly clustered together and right next to or on top of the RV park in a way that didn't seem necessary.

  • j
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great!

    Great spot with view of harbor, a pool, bathroom and power if needed. Easy to book, good location- near many places of interest.


Guide to Ashford

Camping near Ashford, Connecticut, offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Wells State Park Campground, have great hiking trails. One visitor mentioned, "We hiked pretty much all the trails in the park that weekend," making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Wawaloam Campground, families can enjoy fishing in the pond and swimming in the pool. A reviewer noted, "The playground is nice. The grounds are well taken care of."
  • Mini Golf and Splash Pads: Campgrounds like Wawaloam Campground offer fun activities for kids, including a splash pad and mini golf. One camper said, "This is kid heaven. Families laughing & enjoying themselves."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A visitor at George Washington State Campground remarked, "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers enjoy the helpful staff at various campgrounds. One reviewer at Mystic KOA said, "The staff are amazing and the entire place is completely geared to families."
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers often mention the large sites available. A guest at Wawaloam Campground shared, "Large sites, great stone fire rings, full hookups."

What you should know

  • Seasonal Restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Wells State Park Campground is open from May to October, so plan your trip accordingly.
  • Fees for Non-Residents: If you're not a resident, be prepared for higher fees. A camper at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "If you're not a Rhode Island resident, the fee for most sites is $36/night."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Campers should be aware of local wildlife. One visitor at Mystic KOA noted, "Everyone complains about the local small wildlife getting into your food."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds that offer activities for children. At Brialee Family Campground, one parent said, "The sand beach is great for the kids and there is always something going on."
  • Choose Private Sites: For a quieter experience, select campsites that offer more privacy. A camper at Wawaloam Campground mentioned, "We had site 50. It was private, a great size & has water/electric."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check if the campground has a camp store. A visitor at Wawaloam Campground appreciated, "The camp store has everything you might need."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your campground has the necessary hookups for your RV. A reviewer at Mystic KOA noted, "The hookups worked fine with 50-amp electric and decent water pressure."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have tight sites, so be ready to maneuver. A camper at Wilderness Lake Park mentioned, "Some of the non-seasonal sites are very tight."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds that offer amenities like a camp store or recreational activities. One visitor at Odetah Camping Resort said, "This place has everything from a pool, splash pad, boats, food, ice cream, lots of activities."

Camping near Ashford, Connecticut, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are campgrounds located in Ashford, CT?

Ashford, CT and its surrounding area offer several camping options. Charlie Brown Campground is located near Eastford, just minutes from Ashford. For those willing to travel a bit further, Wilderness Lake Park offers both RV and tent sites in a natural setting not far from Ashford. Additional options include Brialee Family Campground near Ashford and Nickerson Park Family Campground in nearby Chaplin, all within a short drive of Ashford's town center.

What amenities are available at Ashford campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Ashford offer a variety of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Nickerson Park Family Campground provides water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with reservable sites. Brialee Family Campground offers similar amenities with drive-in and walk-in access options. Many area campgrounds feature bathhouses with showers, camp stores for essentials, recreational facilities like pools, playgrounds, and fishing areas. Some campgrounds provide full hookups for RVs, while others cater more to tent campers with more rustic facilities.

When is the best season to camp in Ashford, CT?

The best season to camp in Ashford, CT is typically late spring through early fall (May to October). Summer months (June-August) offer warm temperatures ideal for outdoor activities, while Peppertree Camping and other nearby campgrounds are in full operation with all amenities available. Fall camping (September-October) provides spectacular foliage views with comfortable temperatures. As noted with Whispering Pines Campground, early spring camping might find some amenities like pools and recreation facilities not yet operational, so always check seasonal availability before booking.