The eastern Connecticut region offers diverse terrain for campers, from forested hills to coastal plains. Campgrounds near Centerbrook range in elevation from sea level to 400 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F during day and drop to 65°F at night, creating comfortable camping conditions from May through October.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground features a trail to Chapman Falls that takes under 10 minutes to reach. A reviewer notes that "across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls... it's a pretty waterfall despite all the foam and garbage around it."
Kayaking access: At Riverdale Farm Campsites, water activities are a highlight. "We did bingo and it was a blast. It was a beautiful day on the beach pond," shares one camper, while another mentions that "the lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground."
Bird watching: Hammonasset State Park Campground offers excellent bird watching opportunities near the campsite. A visitor comments, "Great hiking and bird watching. Friendly staff. Amazing sunset scene. We enjoyed, mid August staying for 3 nights."
Seasonal programming: At Rocky Neck State Park Campground, families can enjoy organized activities. "Nature Center has movies on weekends for kids," reports one camper, while another mentions that "my family has camped at Rocky Neck every year since I was a child."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide ample room between sites. At Wolf's Den Family Campground, one camper notes: "Great people very nice! Spacious lots very clean and organized facility."
Water access options: Multiple campgrounds offer water features beyond beaches. At Niantic KOA, visitors appreciate the well-maintained trails: "The best part of this campground was the proximity to the state beach via a well-kept hiking trail."
Variety of terrain: Camping options range from wooded to open sites. One visitor to Devil's Hopyard described: "Sites along the creek mostly have worn paths to walk to it but it's nothing impressive," while another noted "a large marsh. The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."
Off-season tranquility: Salem Farms Campground offers a quieter experience during weekdays. A reviewer shared: "We stayed for 4 nights during the week, and it was the quietest campground we've ever stayed in. We were told by a seasonal that it's a whole different story on the weekend."
What you should know
Tick awareness: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Centerbrook require attention to ticks. At Devil's Hopyard, one camper warned: "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."
Pet exercise locations: Many campgrounds offer designated areas for dogs. Wolf's Den Family Campground includes "mini golf, pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lots of playgrounds for the kids" with space for pets to exercise.
Shower facilities vary: Bathroom quality differs between campgrounds. At Rocky Neck, reviewers noted "bathhouses and toilets were not as cleaned as I would have liked but passable," while at Hammonasset State Park Campground, campers appreciated "descent bathrooms, warm showers."
Seasonal restrictions: Pet policies change seasonally at certain locations. One Rocky Neck visitor warned: "Be noted PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this."
Tips for camping with families
Free activities: Many pet-friendly sites offer no-cost entertainment. At Riverdale Farm Campsites, a camper mentioned: "We spent 2 dollars for 10 long rounds of bingo with 4 cards. Who can beat that!!?? My son won a game prize worth 5 times that."
Beach proximity: Several campgrounds offer water access within walking distance. A camper at Gillette Castle State Park Campground shared: "We have camped on the south end of Hurd Park several times via boat access. It is amazing with the views of the CT River and being able to watch the sunrise and sunset."
Weekday camping: For families with pets seeking quieter experiences, timing matters. At Salem Farms, a visitor recommends: "I try to go here every summer with my two preteen grandsons. We tent close to the restroom and the pool, which are very clean. We go mid week and the special is pay 2 nights, get third night free."
Weather planning: Summer heat affects camp comfort. A Hammonasset reviewer noted: "The campgrounds are clean and spacious but very open, being a beach there are a few campers who enjoy staying up quite late and listening to music. I don't mind the noise but the nats (little black flies) make it nearly impossible to enjoy an evening."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Hammonasset presents challenges for some RVers. One camper noted: "Most sites don't have hook ups so you have to run off battery and water storage tanks if you have a RV."
Site selection for larger rigs: Wolf's Den Family Campground accommodates various RV sizes with limitations. A reviewer advised: "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers."
Waterfront premium options: Pet owners with RVs may prefer certain locations. At Aces High RV Park, a camper shared: "Well organized campground with both water front back in sites as well as large pull throughs. Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors."
Low-season availability: For RVers with pets traveling off-peak, options expand. A Niantic KOA visitor mentioned: "We generally only stay in KOAs or similar RV parks when we need showers, laundry, or a dump station. This one was in a convenient location plus many campgrounds had not yet opened for the year when we were there."
