Several campgrounds near Bozrah accommodate tent camping, RV stays, and cabin options from April through October, with most facilities opening in late May. Salt Rock Campground in Baltic sits 6 miles northeast of Bozrah, offering waterfront access along the Shetucket River. Campers can find more secluded options at Devil's Hopyard State Park, located 13 miles south in East Haddam, which features primitive camping near Chapman Falls with only pit toilets available. The camping season in this region typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, though some private campgrounds extend their operating dates.
What to do
Waterfront activities: At Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon, located 8 miles from Bozrah, campers can enjoy fishing, swimming and kayaking in the small lake. "We enjoyed our stay. It was quiet. The salt water pool was clean," mentions one visitor about Waters Edge, which also offers hiking trails through wooded areas surrounding many sites.
Waterfall exploration: Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground features Chapman Falls, accessible by a short hiking trail from the camping area. "Across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls, which will take less than 10 minutes to hike to, but it's a pretty waterfall," notes one camper. The park's riverside location also allows for wading during hot summer days, though the river isn't deep enough for full swimming.
Casino excursions: Odetah Camping Resort in Bozrah serves as a convenient base for visiting nearby gambling venues. "Tucked away in the woods I never knew this was there! Beautiful pond and a good mix of seasonal and overnight sites as well as cabins...quick drive (or Uber ride) to Mohegan Sun," reports one visitor. The campground is approximately 15 minutes from Mohegan Sun Casino.
What campers like
Swimming options: Rocky Neck State Park Campground in East Lyme offers beach access that campers frequently mention. "The beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack. Great family place," writes one visitor. The campground includes several walking trails along the shoreline leading to the beach area.
Privacy levels: Campgrounds in the area vary significantly in site spacing and privacy. At Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground, "The sites are very open, not wooded so you have little privacy from adjacent sites," according to one camper. In contrast, Hopeville Pond State Park offers more secluded options: "If you are looking for privacy and quiet, I recommend the F Loop."
Wooded settings: Several campgrounds feature heavily wooded sites. "Most amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us)... We've been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park," mentions a Waters Edge camper. The campground's natural setting includes trails and wooded areas surrounding almost every site.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some state park campgrounds have minimal staff presence for enforcement of quiet hours. At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, "Quiet hours at night are not strictly enforced so you may hear people up and around until midnight or later." Similarly, Devil's Hopyard visitors note: "Unfortunately our second night had some noisy obnoxious neighbors and there are no staff on site to monitor noise levels."
Wildlife awareness: Encounters with local wildlife are common at campgrounds in the region. "Be very careful with ticks, there were tons of them under our picnic table and by the campfire. Our 2 nights we found over 25 ticks, mostly from sitting at the table when we first arrived," warns one Devil's Hopyard camper. Skunks are also frequently mentioned at multiple campgrounds.
Bathroom facilities: Bathhouse conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Salt Rock Campground, "Bathrooms are atrocious - stall doors have no locks, metal fittings are rusty, paint is peeling, showers are lukewarm and temp cannot be changed." Conversely, Mystic KOA receives praise for having the "Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground."
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities: Strawberry Park in Preston organizes numerous family-friendly events. "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade... Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!" For rainy days, the indoor recreation options can salvage otherwise challenging weather conditions.
Kid-friendly facilities: Multiple campgrounds near Bozrah feature playgrounds and recreation areas designed for children. At Odetah Camping Resort, "There is lots to do at the campground especially for kids. Each weekend has a big schedule of events- farmers' market, themed activities and a band. In addition there is good fishing on the pond, mini-golf, pool and splash pad."
Family swimming spots: During summer months, campground swimming areas provide relief from the heat. "The salt water pool was clean," notes a Waters Edge visitor, while Odetah Camping Resort features "a pool, splash pad, boats, food, ice cream, lots of activities." These swimming facilities become central gathering points during peak season weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers should prepare for varying site conditions throughout the region. At Salt Rock Campground, one visitor notes: "The site was level, it's septic post on the site plugged with cement, its electric box a bit rusty." Sites that appear level may require adjustments upon arrival.
Hookup availability: Hookup options differ significantly between state parks and private campgrounds. At Aces High RV Park, "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it... All sites but one (#67) are full hook up." The private campgrounds generally offer more reliable utility connections than state parks.
Accessibility considerations: Campground layouts and road conditions impact RV navigation. "Easy to maneuver" is how one camper describes Aces High RV Park, noting its "Many pull-thru sites, maybe 20 back ins on a pond." By contrast, state park campgrounds often feature tighter turns and more challenging access for larger rigs.
