Connecticut RV campgrounds near Durham accommodate various camping styles with seasonal availability that affects planning. Most campgrounds in the region operate between early May and mid-October, though Aces High RV Park in East Lyme remains open year-round. While Durham itself doesn't have RV parks, several options within a 30-minute drive provide electric hookups, water connections, and other amenities for recreational vehicles and tent campers.
What to do
Explore historic attractions: Visit Gillette Castle State Park, located about 15 minutes from Salem Farms Campground. "Nearby attractions are Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera. The campground itself is really nice," notes one visitor who appreciated the convenient location.
Beach activities: Rocky Neck State Park offers beach access with swimming areas. A camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground shares, "Beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack. Great family place."
Water recreation: Several campgrounds feature ponds or water access points. "There is a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!" mentions a reviewer at Aces High RV Park, highlighting pet-friendly water features.
Kayaking opportunities: Launch points near Mystic allow for water exploration. A visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic reports, "One day we launched our kayaks north of the drawbridge in town at the public launch and paddled down to Mystic Seaport which was fun to see the historic boats from the water."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower areas receive positive reviews at multiple locations. At Lake Compounce Campground, campers appreciate "clean bathrooms and nice store" with one reviewer noting, "Really clean bathrooms and shower area."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide adequate space between RVs. "Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors," reports a visitor to Aces High RV Park, contrasting with some tighter configurations at other parks.
Family activities: On-site recreation options include pools, playgrounds, and games. A camper at Salem Farms Campground shares, "We felt safe allowing the kids to go ride bikes and go mini golfing. We will definitely be back next year!"
Level pads: Concrete and gravel sites with level surfaces accommodate RVs without extensive setup work. One reviewer at Aces High appreciated the "clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio."
What you should know
Cell coverage variations: Mobile service varies by location and carrier. "We have AT&T service and streamed via our hotspot with no problems," reports a visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic, indicating reliable connectivity.
Bridge navigation concerns: Accessing campgrounds near Mystic requires crossing bridges that may present challenges for larger RVs. Check height restrictions and width limitations before arrival.
Limited off-season options: Most RV campgrounds around Durham, Connecticut close during winter months. "This is open year round," notes a reviewer at Aces High RV Park, highlighting an exception to the seasonal norm.
Site configuration differences: Some parks arrange RVs in buddy-site layouts. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, one camper explained, "We camped here with friends and got one of the 'buddy sites' so our patios faced each other. I like this configuration when camping with friends but would not like this site if we did not know our neighbors."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools for children. A visitor to Salem Farms mentioned, "Loved the tent area and how close it was for the kids to use the pool and facilities."
Proximity to bathhouses: When tent camping with children, select sites near restroom facilities. "We tent close to the restroom and the pool, which are very clean," advises a family camper at Salem Farms.
Midweek specials: Some campgrounds offer weekday discounts. "We go mid week and the special is pay 2 nights, get third night free," notes a grandparent who regularly visits Rocky Neck State Park Campground with grandchildren.
Nature Center programs: Rocky Neck features educational activities for younger campers. "Nature Center has movies on weekends for kids," reports a visitor who appreciated the additional entertainment options.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: Larger motorhomes and fifth wheels require careful site selection. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, a reviewer advises, "Our site was a nice long, level pull-thru. Hook-ups were placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel."
Hookup configurations: Full-hookup availability varies between parks. A camper at Totoket Valley RV Park appreciated the "good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner," noting these basics function well for overnight stays.
Dump station locations: Not all parks offer sewer connections at individual sites. "It doesn't have sewer, but the electric and water were working fine," notes a camper at Sun Outdoors Mystic, while another visitor to Lake Compounce mentioned, "Has electric, water and cable TV connections."
Tree clearance: RV sites at some parks have overhanging branches that may interfere with larger rigs. At Aces High, a reviewer appreciated that "the owner keeps them trimmed to not interfere when parking on your site," showing attention to RV access needs.
