Rocky Neck State Park provides a mix of beach camping with woodland trails near Centerbrook, Connecticut. The campground consists of distinct sections named after waterfowl, including Crane, Egret, Osprey, and Heron. Sites accommodate both RVs and tents with fire pits, picnic tables, and designated parking areas. The area's coastal climate offers mild summer temperatures with occasional evening sea breezes.
What to do
Beach activities: Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers direct beach access within walking distance of all camping areas. Campers can enjoy swimming and beachcombing along the shoreline. According to Nita D., "I've lived in CT all my life but never used the Rocky Neck State Park Campground until now... Short walk to Rocky Neck beach."
Outdoor recreation: Wolf's Den Family Campground provides varied activity options including mini golf, tennis, basketball, and volleyball. The grounds feature multiple playgrounds and organized group activities throughout the season. Jeremy G. notes, "Mini golf, pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lots of playgrounds for the kids. Family oriented park. Bingo, board games, and other activities available."
Local attractions: The area surrounding Odetah Camping Resort offers convenient access to cultural sites like Mohegan Sun Casino. According to April L., "Plenty of areas to walk our dogs and have them swim... quick drive (or Uber ride) to Mohegan Sun."
Water sports: Fishing opportunities exist at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Centerbrook. A camper at Wolf's Den Family Campground mentions, "At the back of the property, there's also a fishing pond, which my husband loved."
What campers like
Transportation services: Niantic KOA offers complimentary shuttle services to nearby destinations. Jennifer H. shares, "Charming, full of wonderful amenities and nice extras. Nice staff, fun coin scavenger hunt, great pool, well stocked store, wide sites, lots of grass/trees and space to stretch out."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and common areas. At Rocky Neck State Park, Lexi L. commented, "I love this campsite, I have been going with my friends and family for as long as I can remember. It's right near the beach, and the campsites and bathrooms are always clean!"
Daily activities: Glamping close to Centerbrook, Connecticut often includes organized events. At Strawberry Park, Ryan C. reported, "Bingo every night, and more activities than you could possibly do!!! The kids ride their bikes to the sports fields, the rec center for the pool and activities."
Spacious sites: Campsites with ample room between neighbors rank highly. Michael C. noted of Strawberry Park, "Site was wide and allowed me to easily back in. Near perfect level. New fence poles show renovations were consistently done."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds operate between May and October with limited off-season availability. At Riverdale Farm Campsites, Joel R. found, "There are a lot of seasonal residents, but still plenty of open sites for travelers."
Campsite variations: Sites differ significantly in terms of shade, levelness, and privacy. At Rocky Neck State Park, Carli V. observed, "every campsite has its own fire pit with a grill attachment and a picnic table. my site was tent only and you couldn't pull your car up to the site so unloading and loading was a hassle."
Beach conditions: Beaches near glamping accommodations around Centerbrook sometimes have rocky shorelines. At Wildwood State Park, Ossama B. found, "Beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful!"
WiFi limitations: Internet connectivity varies greatly between campgrounds. Thomas noted at Riverdale Farm Campsites, "Wi-Fi was not so great unless we paid $6 a day for premium access."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for weather changes: Connecticut coastal weather can shift quickly, requiring preparation. At Burlingame State Park Campground, Madeline H. advises, "Make sure you set up your tent in preparedness for rain! Bathrooms are usually always busy, and are pretty dirty from people coming back from the beach. SAND EVERYWHERE!"
Bring quarters: Some campground showers require coins. Cendy G. noted about Burlingame, "Very affordable (around $14 per night). We stayed near the camp store and playground. Lots to do with kids including fishing, game room, and hiking. Bathrooms were clean. No electricity at the sites."
Consider noise levels: Weekend and holiday periods bring increased activity and noise. Jessica A. warns, "Noise / Parties / Drunks - again, too many sites means too many people and nowhere near enough park staff. On the weekends people can get out of hand with the partying."
Site selection matters: For luxury glamping close to Centerbrook, Connecticut, request specific site numbers when booking. At Niantic KOA, Snooz H. recommends, "If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Mystic KOA and similar campgrounds offer different levels of hookups across their sites. Matt T. advises, "Sites are very large and spaced out for privacy. The staff was friendly and helpful. If your heading North or South through CT this is a good stop over."
Leveling requirements: Be prepared with leveling blocks as site conditions vary. At Wildwood State Park, Lori R. notes, "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig."
Seasonal road conditions: Access roads can deteriorate during wet seasons. Lee D. observed at Niantic KOA, "Unmaintained roadways. The main one was once paved but has not been maintained; others were dirt (and mud after a rain)."
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste management as not all sites offer full hookups. Kevin J. mentioned about Wolf's Den, "Only electric 30 or 50A, and water; but there are a few dumpstations around in the camp."
