126 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bristol, Connecticut provides access to several established campgrounds for tent, RV, and cabin camping within 30 miles of town. Lake Compounce Campground, located within city limits, offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping areas, and cabin rentals adjacent to Lake Compounce amusement park. Black Rock State Park Campground in nearby Watertown features more natural settings with wooded campsites and limited hookups. Gentiles Campground in Plymouth and Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam round out the developed camping options, with varying amenities and seasonal availability.
Most campgrounds in the Bristol area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter camping options. Lake Compounce Campground typically opens May 1 and closes October 31, while Black Rock State Park's camping season runs May through September. Weather conditions in western Connecticut include hot, humid summers and cold winters with occasional snow. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months, especially for weekend stays and holidays. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though signal may be weaker at Black Rock State Park. A visitor noted, "Black Rock State Park Campground has well-kept showers and bathrooms, and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
Family-friendly amenities are a common feature at Bristol-area campgrounds. Lake Compounce Campground provides direct access to the amusement park, making it popular for families with children. White Pines Campsites in Barkhamsted, about 20 miles north, offers a range of accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options with activities for all ages. One camper mentioned that "many families bring bikes" to Rocky Neck State Park, which is within day-trip distance. Campgrounds closer to water features like lakes and rivers tend to fill quickly during summer months. For those seeking more seclusion, Black Rock State Park provides hiking trails and more natural surroundings, though its popularity means weekends can still be busy, especially during peak summer months.
"Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."
"It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
"However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."
"We got a tent spot and it was perfect since it was the furthest one away and there was no one near us which is probably why we loved it so much bc we were so isolated. a little disappointed in the site"
from $50 - $62 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful state park, very clean .. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers .. stores within a 5 minute drive. Most of the camp ground site are not secluded .."
"The family next to me offered me dinner one night after I spent the whole day working on my RV. Spanish rice chicken the works the plate could barely hold it all."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."
"There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"
from $55 - $150 / night
Check Availability"We were passing through Connecticut and needed a place to crash. Loved this campsite! Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a litrle community but still quotr private."
"Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots. Definitely need to come back. Great rates on all sites."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there."
"We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
from $72 - $122 / night
Check Availability"We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."
"It’s up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it’s not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."
"Sites are pretty close together and the campground is close to a fairly busy road. The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer."
"We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "
"Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake. "
"Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"
ScoutStayed for a weekend. Staff was super friendly and the park was very clean. Enjoyed some fishing and caught some small trout with my kids. Very relaxing and enjoyed our stay.
ScoutI do not recommend staying at this campsite. As you can't drive to the Campsite, as you have to come on a kayak or canoe.
TravelerOverall a superb spot to either stay put and enjoy the camp, park and beach or to use as a base to explore the region. Huge campground, yet peaceful. Online map would make it seem spaces are tight but it is a very big area and so ample room to stretch out your space. Not a lot of privacy as most spaces are out in the open or light tree area but it is not an invasive feeling situation. Very popular for CT families with biking, walking and the beautiful beach right here. Lots of grass, level sites. A few sites have electric but not many and this seems to be the big rig area. Most people are tent or small camper setups. Bathrooms clean, hot water reasonable temp. Dish washing stations at each restroom. Movies at night (kids). The state park is really pretty and well maintained. The area towns are very pretty and remarkably quiet in general (not many tourist traps) and its easy to access various shoreline parks, drives, viewpoints. I'd avoid the spots very nearest the park road as it does get a lot of day visitors to the park/beach. I'm here late August and schools go back this week so midweek the campground is less than half full but I believe it will fill for the weekend.
ScoutWe came up for two nights with our tent and ended up wishing we had booked another. Nothing fancy about our weekend, just cooking outside, sleeping under the trees, and enjoying some time away.
ScoutWe use Oakhaven as our first camping trip of the year typically it’s near a home less an hour away yet it feels like it’s much further. Well, located in a small community in southwestern Massachusetts. You can access a lot of tourist areas for day trips if you’re so inclined like Sturbridge mass or the Cobb and Reservoir area. This is a great campground for dogs nice areas to take a walk and also out into the main town area. Owners are pretty chill. There isn’t a ton of activities or special events. Just a few to keep things interesting. Camp store is well stocked.
Scoutgreat location, with pool, electric and bathrooms/showers. close to ferry
ScoutWe’ve spent several seasons camping here and have made so many great memories along the way. We have gotten to know some of the campers around us, and the campground has a nice community atmosphere. The kids always have something to do, and we enjoy sitting outside, cooking dinner, and spending evenings around the fire.
ScoutThis is our first season keeping our camper at White Pines, and we have really enjoyed it so far. It is great being able to show up on a Friday, open the camper, and start relaxing without having to tow and set everything up each weekend. Some weekends are a little busier than others, but everything still feels comfortable and easygoing. It has quickly become one of our favorite places to spend time during the summer.
ScoutWe camped with a group of friends and had a great time. It was easy to spend the day together, cook outside, and hang around the campfire at night. The campground worked really well for our group.
Bristol, Connecticut sits at the foot of the Berkshire Mountains in the central Connecticut valley at an elevation of around 650 feet. The region features rolling hills, hardwood forests, and several water features including lakes and rivers, creating varied terrain for campers. Most campgrounds in the area operate with limited hookups during Connecticut's humid summer months when overnight temperatures typically remain above 60°F.
Hiking opportunities: At Black Rock State Park Campground, hikers can explore multiple trail options ranging from easy lakeside paths to more challenging woodland routes. One camper noted, "Beautiful state park, very clean... fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers... stores within a 5 minute drive."
Fishing access: Lake Compounce Campground offers nearby fishing options, though some campers recommend bringing your own equipment. A visitor mentions, "This was good for an overnight stop on our way south. We couldn't find much else along our route, but this wasn't too bad."
Swimming options: Many campgrounds near Bristol restrict swimming during summer algae blooms. At Kettletown State Park Campground, one visitor explained, "Access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom. The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful."
Clean facilities: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. A camper reported, "Host was pleasant, campground fairly quiet. No planned activities so not great if you like that kind of thing, perfect if you don't. Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Lake Compounce Campground, one camper shared an interesting experience: "As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes."
Spacious sites: Multiple campgrounds feature larger sites than typically expected. A visitor to Cozy Hills Campground wrote, "Very nice facilities. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community. Sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel."
Site variability: Even within campgrounds, site quality can differ significantly. At Gentiles Campground, a camper observed, "Roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs. Very wooded area, looked like mostly full timers living there."
Weather considerations: Connecticut experiences frequent summer thunderstorms, particularly in July and August. Prepare for quick weather changes and potential flooding in low-lying sites.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require reservations 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends. Walk-up sites are limited and typically unavailable Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. While most sites near highways maintain reliable connections, those in more remote areas may have limited service, especially for carriers other than Verizon.
Pool access: White Pines Campsites provides facilities designed for families with children. A visitor noted, "We love this campground. It is a small family/dog friendly campground. Large clean pool my kids loved swimming in. Staff is super nice. Small arcade."
Weekend noise levels: Weekends tend to be louder at most campgrounds near Bristol. A family staying at Kettletown State Park mentioned, "Folks seemed to be there in larger groups for celebrations so things were loud well past midnight, which was challenging given how close each site was."
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer playground equipment for children. At Lake Compounce Campground, a visitor mentioned, "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park."
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer organized activities during summer weekends. At Cozy Hills Campground, a camper wrote, "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide full hookups. A camper at Lake Compounce noted, "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out. The staff were very friendly and they had some activities like bingo and corn hole the weekend we were there."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the hilly Bristol region require leveling blocks. Bring extra blocks if your RV is longer than 25 feet.
Power limitations: Several campgrounds restrict air conditioner use during peak summer days. Verify electricity limitations before booking, especially for units requiring 50-amp service during July and August.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Bristol, CT?
For camping near Bristol, consider Lake Compounce Campground, which is closest to Bristol and offers convenient access to Lake Compounce Theme Park. Within a short drive, Black Rock State Park Campground offers a peaceful setting with hiking trails and a swimming area. Other excellent options within 30-45 minutes include Wolf's Den Family Campground near the Connecticut River and Wilderness Lake Park, which offers secluded tent sites despite being primarily an RV destination. For those willing to travel a bit further, Kettletown State Park provides beautiful hiking trails and river access.
How much does it cost to camp near Bristol, Connecticut?
Camping costs near Bristol vary by campground type. State parks like Kettletown State Park Campground and Rocky Neck State Park Campground typically charge $30-35 per night for sites without hookups. Private campgrounds offer more amenities at higher rates: expect to pay $40-60 for tent sites and $50-80 for RV sites with hookups. Many campgrounds offer discounts for longer stays, off-season camping, or memberships. Connecticut state parks also offer a $14 discount for state residents, and some campgrounds have senior discounts available.
What amenities are available at Bristol, CT camping sites?
Campgrounds near Bristol offer varied amenities based on their type. Private campgrounds like Wolf's Den Family Campground and Wilderness Lake Park typically provide full hookups for RVs, modern restrooms with hot showers, camp stores, swimming pools, and organized activities for families. State parks such as Hammonasset and Devil's Hopyard offer more basic facilities including restrooms, showers, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some campgrounds have specialized amenities—Lone Oak features children's activities, while others provide easy access to hiking trails, fishing spots, or beach access. Most campgrounds sell firewood on-site and have dump stations for RVs.
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