Best Campgrounds near Cromwell, CT

Campgrounds near Cromwell, Connecticut range from family-friendly facilities to state parks, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals within a 30-mile radius. Lake Compounce Campground in Bristol and Markham Meadows in East Hampton provide developed camping options with modern amenities, while multiple state parks including Hammonasset and Devil's Hopyard offer more nature-oriented experiences. The area's campgrounds predominantly accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some locations featuring cabin rentals and limited glamping opportunities.

Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited availability during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity. Many campgrounds offer electric and water hookups for RVs, though sewer connections are less common, with dump stations available at select locations. Several facilities feature community amenities such as swimming pools, recreation areas, and scheduled activities for families. As one camper noted, "The sites aren't cramped and they are quite sizable. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful."

Connecticut's camping landscape provides varied experiences within short driving distances of Cromwell. GrandView CampResort in Moodus earns praise for its big-rig friendly sites and well-maintained facilities, while Wolf's Den Family Campground in East Haddam attracts families seeking organized activities. Water-oriented camping proves particularly popular, with several campgrounds situated near rivers or lakes. River Highlands State Park offers primitive riverside sites that attract campers seeking natural settings. While many locations feature wooded sites with moderate privacy, the level of seclusion varies significantly between campgrounds. Family-oriented facilities tend to place sites closer together to foster community, while state parks typically offer more separation between campsites. A visitor to Bear Creek Campground commented, "The tent sites had some shade, the showers and bathrooms were really nice."

Best Camping Sites Near Cromwell, Connecticut (141)

    1. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 583-3300

    "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."

    2. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 245-1817

    $20 - $70 / night

    "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."

    3. Wolf's Den Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hadlyme, CT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 873-9681

    "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"

    4. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Salem, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 526-2336

    $14 / night

    "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."

    5. River Highlands State Park River Campground

    1 Review
    Cromwell, CT
    2 miles
    +1 (203) 287-5658

    $5 / night

    "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."

    6. Waters Edge Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Amston, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 642-7470

    $45 - $100 / night

    "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."

    7. Markham Meadows

    2 Reviews
    North Westchester, CT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 267-9738

    8. Riverdale Farm Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 669-5388

    "The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."

    "Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"

    9. GrandView CampResort & Cottages

    2 Reviews
    Moodus, CT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 873-3332

    $30 - $70 / night

    10. Hidden Lake Farm

    1 Review
    Higganum, CT
    12 miles
    +1 (860) 301-6983

    $49 - $89 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 141 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Cromwell, CT

610 Reviews of 141 Cromwell Campgrounds


  • Sue B.
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    Great State Forest Campground

    Austin Hawes (also known as American Legion State Forest/Campground) is a great little place in a beautiful part of the State. They have cabins if you want some of the creature comforts, as well as sites suitable for tents or campers. Have camped here before in tents and a pop up, it's right on the Farmington River, so we have gone tubing down the river, swimming and fishing as well. The bathrooms have showers and flush toilets, there are hiking trails in and near the campground, and stores not too far. Sites vary in size and privacy.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Black Rock State Park Campground

    Nah

    If you want to feel like you are camping in the middle of a lawless low income housing project, this is the place for you. We camped next to a woman with 2 pit bulls, which was surprising, given the "no dogs allowed" rule, and were surrounded by people partying despite the "no alcohol" rule. Teens congregate in the bathroom so they could charge their devices but did not appreciate you being there to use the bathroom they clearly took over, and even though it's 2025, I still prefer no boyfriends hanging out in the women's bathroom. Call me whatever. Used to camp here years ago, clearly it has gone downhill. Park Ranger? What's that?

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Green Falls Campground

    Inexpensive and primitive

    We like Green Falls. Again, it is inexpensive and kinda primitive, but it sure also quiet and a real woods camping environment. Take a hike around the pond, fish and swim in season, and enjoy a laid back approach to your time here.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Great spot for no frills camping

    We loved Mt. Misery. We spent $17/night, and we know what to expect at that price point. We stayed during fall foliage season and even though CT has had a drought this year, there were still pretty colors to see. We hiked to the overlook of Mt. Misery and had a great time geocaching and enjoying the trails. We found the campsites to be decent, and a number of them did afford privacy and space, we had 4 people and 3 dogs on our site, and had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2 tents. We will be back here for sure.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Ten Mile River Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Not a public campground!

    Ten Mile River Shelter and campsite is not a public campground. Sure, anyone can camp there, but it is designated for folks hiking the A.T., whether thru-hikers, section hikers, or whatever. While there are no rules about who can camp there, during thru-hiking season, consideration should be made for folks who rely on places like this during a long distance hike. It is at least a mile if not a mile and a half from approved parking (on the side of the road off the A.T.) to camp, either from the A.T. or a combo of the A.T. and a blue blaze trail (which is easier, imo). There are also no fires allowed on the CT A.T.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great spot and good communication

    Was in town for the Elvis show. This was minutes from downtown definitely walkable. Will be back again!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Point Folly Campground

    Great

    I’ve been coming here for decades. Little store has what you need if you can find the shop keeper. Great access to bantam lake. You can leave you canoes/kayaks tied up in the water. Great fishing. Love it overall. The only issue I have is the pit toilets are brutal. If you are tent camping, beware!

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Mystic KOA

    KOA Mystic

    From the first interaction you see this KOA is customer focused. The staff is friendly, professional and helpful. The grounds are well maintained as are the facilities.

  • Christine S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Quiet and clean

    So far it's been pretty quiet but we are here at the beginning of October on a Monday. Nice area.


Guide to Cromwell

Camping spots near Cromwell, Connecticut cluster primarily within a 30-mile radius along the Connecticut River valley at elevations ranging from 20 to 400 feet. Most campgrounds operate between April and October with limited facilities open during early spring when overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F. The region's proximity to both Interstate 91 and Route 9 creates easy access points for campers arriving from New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground, campers can access excellent trout fishing. "Small little campground located in an amazing a beautiful park. Go here every spring for opening day of fishing season and camp the entire weekend," notes Allan D.

Amusement park access: Campers at Lake Compounce Campground have direct access to the adjacent amusement park. "This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother," reports Diane R. The campground offers recreational facilities separate from the main park.

Waterfall exploration: Within a 10-minute walk from Devil's Hopyard campground, visitors can explore Chapman Falls. "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," explains Ryan A. Morning bird watching opportunities are particularly notable with hundreds of species active at dawn.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Waters Edge Family Campground receives praise for its generous camping spaces. "Very friendly family owned campground. Spacious sites that are not crammed together," writes Erik G. The campground features wooded sites that offer more privacy than many facilities in the region.

Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained bathrooms at Riverdale Farm Campsites. "This is a really nice family campground just a mile or so off I-95 in Clinton, CT. Most of the roads are paved, the sites are large and level, there are full hookups, and a dump station," notes Joel R. The campground provides access to both a swimming pond and river.

Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to major attractions, many campgrounds maintain a peaceful environment. "We enjoyed our stay. It was quiet. The salt water pool was clean," shares Rebecca S. about Waters Edge. The campground sits on a large wooded property that buffers noise from neighboring sites.

What you should know

Limited bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds have restricted bathroom options. At Bear Creek Campground, one camper noted, "There is only one set of facilities for the whole place. It's quite a walk to the bathrooms." Some primitive sites at state parks offer only portable toilets during peak season.

Wildlife encounters: Hammonasset State Park Campground and other regional camping areas have active wildlife. At Lake Compounce, one camper reported: "This is an interesting camp ground. 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."

Reservation timing: For Hammonasset State Park, a popular beach camping destination, advanced planning is essential. "The campgrounds do fill up FAST over the summer up until school starts back up so if you plan to camp, BOOK AHEAD!" advises Bianca M. Weekend reservations should be made 3-4 months in advance for summer dates.

Tips for camping with families

Activity planning: Family-oriented campgrounds provide organized events. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention it's next to the amusement park," shares Nichol P. about Lake Compounce Campground. Weekend activities typically include bingo, cornhole tournaments, and outdoor movie nights.

Swimming options: Many camping areas offer water recreation. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center," explains Tiffany T. about Hammonasset State Park.

Site selection: For family camping, location within the campground matters. "I would recommend reserving early to get some of the more private campgrounds on the outskirts and near the woods or you may be in the field with everyone else," advises Jackie G. Corner sites typically provide more space for children to play without disturbing neighbors.

Tips from RVers

Big-rig accessibility: GrandView CampResort & Cottages accommodates larger vehicles with level sites. "We enjoyed our stay. Level sites and very nice owners," notes Bill B. The entrance roads have adequate clearance for taller RVs without low-hanging branch concerns.

Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites vary across the region. At Lake Compounce Campground, "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out," reports Tina.

Site layout considerations: RV campers should understand site configurations. At Lake Compounce, "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains Diane R. Most campgrounds in the region place RV sites in more open areas with fewer trees than tent camping sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cromwell, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cromwell, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 141 campgrounds and RV parks near Cromwell, CT and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Cromwell, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cromwell, CT is Lake Compounce Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 12 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cromwell, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Cromwell, CT.

What parks are near Cromwell, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Cromwell, CT that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.