S
Sam M.
Scout
ScoutCrocker's Boatyard
Convenient and Safe
Friendly, clean and convenient. By chance, we were there during the annual fireworks.
Camping near Colchester, CT
151 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Colchester, Connecticut span from developed facilities to basic sites, with several options within a 15-mile radius of town. Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon and Witch Meadow Lake Campground in Salem provide tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with waterfront access. Devil's Hopyard State Park offers more primitive camping experiences with fewer amenities. The area features a mix of private campgrounds with full hookups and state park facilities with varying levels of development.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with state parks typically closing by late September. Waters Edge Family Campground operates from April to October, while Salem Farms Campground runs from May until Columbus Day. Winter camping options are limited throughout the area. Reservations are generally required, especially for weekend visits during summer months when many campgrounds reach capacity. Cell service varies across the region but is generally available at developed sites. As one visitor noted about Devils Hopyard, "There is no running water or electricity but the campground still served its purpose. The waterfall was a quick walk away and you could hike down to the river for a quick dip."
Waterfront campsites receive particularly high ratings from visitors, with several campgrounds offering lake or pond access. Odetah Camping Resort and Waters Edge feature lakefront sites that tend to book quickly during peak season. State park campgrounds like Devil's Hopyard provide more natural settings with hiking trails and fishing opportunities but fewer amenities. A camper at Devil's Hopyard described it as "a small state park and the campground here provides open sites with a few large trees near a stream and across the street from a waterfall." Many campgrounds offer recreational activities including swimming pools, fishing, and organized weekend events. Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between private campgrounds and state parks, with the latter typically providing more basic accommodations like vault toilets rather than flush facilities.
Best Campgrounds near Colchester (151)
1. Odetah Camping Resort
"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. Plenty of areas to walk our dogs and have them swim."
"Has a nice beach on a pond, a very cool splash pad next to the pool which all looked very clean. There is a snack shack next to the pond with a play scape and horseshoes."
2. Waters Edge Family Campground
"We’ve been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park."
"This is our families favorite camping location. On the pond at Waters Edge. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge."
from $45 - $100 / night
Check Availability3. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground
"There are trails behind the sites along a large marsh. The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."
"The sites are very open, not wooded so you have little privacy from adjacent sites."
from $14 / night
Check Availability4. Rocky Neck State Park Campground
"The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground. The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way."
"Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability5. Wolf's Den Family Campground
"This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River (major RT 9 highway is on west side)."
"Nice camp ground in the woods near hadlyme"
6. Salem Farms Campground
"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."
"It was too close to the road, and they wouldn't let him pull in so we were facing each other even though it would have easily worked out."
from $68 - $72 / night
Check Availability7. Witch Meadow Lake Campground
"Swimming pool, facilities, small lake as well larger lakes in the surrounding area. Great location and campground. Love it."
8. Hammonasset State Park Campground
"Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
"I had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability9. Salt Rock Campground
"We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here."
"we had a group from work head out here. we reserved Coyote Run, and had the field to ourselves, it was a bit of a walk to the shower from there, but we had our own outhouse, bring a light for night time"
from $33 - $100 / night
Check Availability10. Aces High RV Park
"We stayed at Aces High RV Park for a long holiday weekend to visit with our daughter in Connecticut. We paid$150/night for a‘Premium Waterfront FHU Site’ on the lake."
"Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it. It was a quiet area with ponds and creeks and a generally relaxing setting."
from $74 - $80 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 12 min from Norwich, CT
- 22 min from Hartford, CT
- 44 min from Waterbury, CT
- 48 min from New Haven, CT
Recent Camping Photos near Colchester, CT
225 Photos of 151 Colchester Campgrounds
Laura M.
Waters Edge Family Campground
Tracy D.
Salem Farms Campground
Robert L.
Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground
Jason G.
The Farm at Carter Hill
Dana C.
Odetah Camping Resort
Jacob S.
Wolf's Den Family Campground
Jason S.
Selden Neck State Park Campground
Steve K.
Aces High RV Park
David P.
Sunfox Campground
Garrett N.
Starlit Camping
Garrett N.
Starlit Camping at Atlantic Coast Farms and Estates
Rick C.
Hidden Acres Campground
Recent Reviews near Colchester, CT
776 Reviews of 151 Colchester Campgrounds
- JJohnScout
Totoket Valley RV Park
Very Friendly and quick check in/out!
I was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy. Had smoke from the Canadian Wildfire which made for a good sunset
- UUA C.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
The fireworks-WOW
Had a wonderful 2 night stay, an added plus were the annual fireworks, a wonderful surprise. Highly recommend Crocker’s BoatYard, friendly, safe, convenient location and lovely pool as well.
- AAndrew B.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
Beautiful and convenient
Easy to get to, great communication and lovely location. Recommended!
- BBlake N.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
Awesome
This place is fantastic and I would definitely stay again. It is a working shipyard and marina. Excellent showers. Very nice pool and pool deck with umbrella right on the water. One mile from block island ferry.
- DDavid G.
TravelerCrocker's Boatyard
Great spot and great hosts
Crocker’s is a nice relaxing scenic place to stay in the New London area.
Walking distance to restaurants and to Fort Trumbull.
So much fun watching the boats and boating activities.
Electric and water included. There is a free dump station about a mile away (during regular business hours). *Can be found on The Dyrt.
Hosts were super friendly and had nice recommendations for places to see around town. Thank you !!!! We will definitely be visiting again. 
Kaileigh K.
GuideFort Getty Campground
Great location!
Fort Getty campground was in an incredible location to Jamestown and with many things to do in the park itself. The tent sites are open field style and some groups can get big so be ready for that. We had tent site 6 and it was tucked back in its own little area which was an awesome surprise. Overall we had a quick stay and everyone we encountered was friendly, bathrooms are older but a short walk from tent area. The access the Jamestown and the surrounding areas and views is what makes this place totally worth it!
- AAshley H.Traveler
Mashamoquet Brook Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Cozy Rustic Campground
Due to the heat wave, I opted not to spend the night, but we did roll through and check out the area. First thing we noticed is how close and open the sites were, with a few exceptions. I attached photos of the more secluded sites I plan to choose next time. Site 49 is what I had reserved and it was large and partially secluded. The bathroom buildings are boarded up across the campground and state park with port o potties in front. I was not eager to check those out… a bucket started feeling like the safer option lol It was quiet but on the more secluded sites, there was ample road noise and you could see the road from some sites. I didn’t get a chance to look for the walkway to the park and river, but I plan to next time. The state park and river nearby was beautiful and quiet and serene with smattering Fourth of July picnics. Overall, I plan to return here when the weather is more cooperative and my car camper is better equipped :)
Julia B.TravelerLake Compounce Campground
Very clean, friendly staff and not crowded
We arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
Guide to Colchester
Campgrounds around Colchester, Connecticut offer a range of camping experiences from rustic tent sites to full-service RV facilities. The area sits within New England's transitional hardwood forest region at elevations ranging from 300-600 feet, creating varied terrain for camping. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with higher humidity levels in July and August when thunderstorms are common.
What to do
Fishing access points: Devil's Hopyard State Park provides trout fishing opportunities along a stream and across from a waterfall. "Our site was tent only and you couldn't pull your car up to the site so unloading and loading was a hassle. Beach is a short drive on site and the showers were one site over," notes a visitor to Rocky Neck State Park Campground.
Hiking options: Multiple trail networks exist throughout the region. "The surrounding area is great. We hiked and went fishing nearby," reports one camper at Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground. Trails range from easy half-mile loops to more challenging 3-5 mile routes through varied terrain.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming and boating. "The lake is great!! The pool area is a little small, but the attraction is the lake. The splash area at the pool is great for little kids," shares a visitor to Odetah Camping Resort. Many sites offer kayak and canoe rentals ranging from $15-25 per hour.
What campers like
Pond-side camping: Water access ranks high on camper preferences. "The perfect spot on the perfect weekend. This is the best spot we've had all season. Beautiful view, peaceful and gorgeous," notes a camper at Waters Edge Family Campground.
Shade coverage: Many campers value tree cover for comfort in summer months. "Sites are a mix of field, shaded, and partly shaded," reports a camper at Salt Rock Campground. Tree cover provides relief during July and August when daytime temperatures frequently exceed 80°F.
Organized activities: Weekend programming enhances many camping experiences. "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, etc. Kids are not bored here!" shares a visitor to Odetah Camping Resort.
What you should know
Variable noise levels: Some campgrounds struggle with enforcing quiet hours. "Quiet hours are merely a suggestion, and folks turn up until 4AM on Friday nights. Music blaring from disrespectful campers until 10PM," reports a camper at Salt Rock Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak summer weekends. By mid-July at Rocky Neck State Park, there were "still 5 site available for the upcoming weekend, so it may be a reasonable option for last-minute plans."
Water availability: Some campgrounds have limited water access. "No running water or electricity but the campground still served its purpose," notes a Devil's Hopyard visitor. Campers should plan to bring sufficient water for drinking and cooking at more primitive sites.
Tips for camping with families
Scout the bathrooms: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Bathhouses and toilets were not as cleaned as I would have liked but passable. Coronavirus social distancing required," notes a visitor at Rocky Neck State Park, while others mention outdated facilities at several state parks.
Consider entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer extensive recreation. "We went two years in a row each on Halloween! They had great amenities and activities for the kids. Plus a costume contest and tricker treating. Very enjoyable time," shares a visitor to Odetah about their themed weekends.
Check for playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas. "Amazing weekend with lots of fun for the kids and even the dogs! We've been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the Wolf's Den Family Campground dog park," reports a satisfied camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Choose carefully for big rigs. "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," advises a visitor to Wolf's Den Family Campground.
Hookup variations: Services differ between campgrounds. "Only electric 30 or 50A, and water; but there are a few dumpstations around in the camp," notes another Wolf's Den camper. Many campgrounds offer electric and water but lack sewer hookups at individual sites.
Seasonal considerations: Some full-service campgrounds operate later than state parks. Wolf's Den remains open "1st weekend May to last weekend October" while Salem Farms operates "May 1 to Columbus Day," offering extended options for fall camping when state parks have closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Colchester?
Where are the best campgrounds in Colchester?
The Colchester area offers several excellent camping options. Wolf's Den Family Campground stands out for its convenient location off Route 9 on the east side of the Connecticut River, providing easy access to attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House. For those seeking a more natural setting, Hopeville Pond State Park Campground offers swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnicking opportunities in a family-friendly environment. The area also features several well-maintained private campgrounds like Waters Edge Family Campground in nearby Lebanon and Salem Farms Campground, both providing various amenities for a comfortable camping experience.
What is the typical cost of camping in Colchester?
What is the typical cost of camping in Colchester?
Camping costs in the Colchester area vary based on campground type and amenities. At state parks like Rocky Neck State Park Campground, expect to pay around $33 per night for basic sites without hookups but with access to bathhouses and nearby beach areas. Private campgrounds typically charge more but offer additional amenities. Wilderness Lake Park provides both RV and tent sites, with tent sites often being more affordable but still offering access to facilities. Costs generally range from $30-35 for basic public campgrounds to $45-75+ for private campgrounds with more amenities, with premium weekends and holidays commanding higher rates.
Are there any campgrounds near Colchester CT that offer full amenities?
Are there any campgrounds near Colchester CT that offer full amenities?
Yes, several campgrounds near Colchester offer comprehensive amenities. Mystic KOA provides full-service camping with amenities including a pool, facilities, camp store, and is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Mystic's attractions. The campground accommodates both RVs and tents with well-maintained facilities. Hammonasset State Park Campground offers beautiful beach access, abundant well-kept showers and bathrooms, and a camp store with most necessities. For families seeking activities, Salem Farms Campground and Odetah Camping Resort also provide full hookups, water, toilets, and are big-rig friendly with various recreational facilities.
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