The campgrounds near Franklin, Connecticut cluster within a 15-mile radius along rivers and ponds in this rolling, wooded region of eastern Connecticut. Most camping areas sit at elevations between 250-500 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. The Shetucket River watershed creates numerous water features that define many campsites near Franklin, Connecticut.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: Hopeville Pond State Park offers both a large public beach and a separate beach reserved for campers. "In season there is swimming, but the beach is very small. Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular. There are also some trails for walking/hiking, a basketball hoop, a dump station, and recycling," notes a camper.
Water activities on private ponds: Hidden Acres Campground provides access to a river with a small beach area. "We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night," shares one visitor who appreciated the range of activities.
Woodland hiking options: Trails through deciduous forests connect many of the camping areas, with trail access available directly from campsites. A Rocky Neck State Park camper mentions, "The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails." Most trails are rated easy to moderate, making them suitable for various age groups.
What campers like
Themed weekend activities: Strawberry Park hosts special events throughout the season. "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade. It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite," one visitor explains.
Waterfront sites: Many campers value direct water access from their sites. At Waters Edge Family Campground, a visitor shares, "We kind of did a last min trip between 3 family's we all got separate sites scattered along the river it was beautiful." Sites with water views typically fill first, especially on summer weekends.
Salt water pools: Several campgrounds offer salt water swimming options as alternatives to pond swimming. One visitor to Waters Edge notes, "The salt water pool was clean. Booked a site for October before we left."
What you should know
Early reservations essential: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for holiday weekends. At Mystic KOA, "On this stay, we snagged a late reservation over a busy summer weekend so the place was packed."
Site privacy varies significantly: Campgrounds offer different levels of site separation. As one camper at Devil's Hopyard describes, "The sites are so close that the posts are marked with the site number on both sides which tells me that there has been confusion in the past."
Wildlife considerations: Local wildlife can impact the camping experience. At Rocky Neck State Park, a camper warns, "The skunks are friendly!" While at Devil's Hopyard, another camper cautions, "Be very careful with ticks, there were tons of them under our picnic table and by the campfire. Bring your own chairs to sit on and don't put to much down that they may be able to stick to. Our 2 nights we found over 25 ticks."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Sunfox Campground provides specialized play areas. "This is a quant campground geared towards families being out together. They have a beautiful pool, playground and a large jumping pillow like a huge trampoline you can't fall off of," shares one visitor.
Secluded canoe sites: Families seeking more privacy can find specialized sites. At Hopeville Pond, "The gem is the canoe sites at the north of the campground. These are tent only. You park and walk about 100 yards to the site. There are only four sites in this secluded section of the campground. Sites CN02, CN03 and CN04 have direct waterfront on the pond."
Camp store conveniences: Many campgrounds offer on-site stores for necessities and treats. A Hidden Acres camper recommends, "Definitely be sure to grab a snack at the food hit they have. Very good food. Also great general store."
Tips from RVers
Size-appropriate site selection: RV owners should research specific site dimensions before booking. At Mystic KOA, a visitor notes, "Some sites towards the front of the park are very close together and unlevel. If you want to be up near the action–pool, bar car, and other activities–get a site in the front section."
Utility hookup differences: Campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups. At Salt Rock Campground, a camper observes, "Good choice of campsites, from open to wooded, rustic to power and water." Most RV sites provide 30-amp service, while 50-amp sites are less common and should be reserved well in advance.
Dumping station availability: Not all campgrounds maintain reliable dumping facilities. One Salt Rock visitor reports, "Dump station needed to be pumped, and therefore not operational." RVers should confirm dump station status when making reservations.
