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Best Campgrounds near Gilman, CT

690 Reviews

Eastern Connecticut campgrounds near Gilman provide a mix of developed camping areas with amenities and natural settings. The region includes established facilities like Odetah Camping Resort in Bozrah, Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon, and several state parks including Devil's Hopyard and Rocky Neck. Most camping areas accommodate tent and RV camping, with several locations also offering cabin rentals. Strawberry Park in Preston maintains 550 sites with full hookups, while the state park campgrounds typically provide more rustic experiences with fewer amenities but more natural surroundings.

Camping season in Connecticut generally runs from May through October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. Many campers note the importance of advance reservations, especially for weekend stays. "We enjoyed our stay. It was quiet. The salt water pool was clean. Booked a site for October before we left," reported one visitor about Waters Edge Family Campground. State park campgrounds like Devil's Hopyard typically operate from April through September, while private campgrounds may extend their seasons through early November. Accessibility varies across campgrounds, with most offering drive-in sites suitable for various camping styles, though some locations have limited big-rig access or terrain constraints.

The camping experience near Gilman reflects a mix of family-oriented resort-style facilities and more traditional outdoor settings. Several visitors mentioned the range of amenities at private campgrounds as a significant draw. Odetah Camping Resort receives praise for its activities and lake access, though some reviews indicate sites lack privacy. Waters Edge Family Campground garners mixed reviews, with some campers appreciating the wooded sites and others noting issues with facilities. The state parks tend to attract those seeking more natural surroundings with fewer amenities. Campgrounds with water features—whether swimming pools or natural bodies of water—remain particularly popular during summer months. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide at minimum basic amenities including showers, toilets, and fire rings, though specific rules regarding alcohol, pets, and generator use vary by location.

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Best Camping Sites Near Gilman, Connecticut (141)

    1. Odetah Camping Resort

    13 Reviews
    Bozrah, CT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 889-4144

    "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

    10 Reviews
    Amston, CT
    6 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."

    3. Strawberry Park

    13 Reviews
    Griswold, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 886-1944

    $60 - $120 / night

    "It was a bit too cold outside but the pools and hot tubs looked nice. Splash pad was clean and used by kids. Lots of roads to bike on and walk dogs. Live band on Saturday night was nice."

    "It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"

    4. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Salem, CT
    10 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. Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-1339

    "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."

    6. Salt Rock Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hanover, CT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 822-0884

    $33 - $100 / night

    "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"

    "We took a short walk/hike and were able to make it to a river where we floated in tubes and relaxed for the day. It was a blast and we had a great time."

    7. Crocker's Boatyard

    13 Reviews
    New London, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 443-6304

    $50 - $75 / night

    "Which was walking distance from the boat yard. Had a bite to eat at the Blue Duck, it was fine. Saw the show and walk back to the boat yard."

    "Easy access to the boatyard at night; pulled in, picked a spot and all good. Enjoyed the pool.

    Walked to Fort Trumbull.

    Recommend Crockers."

    8. Hopeville Pond State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Griswold, CT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 376-2920

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Well this is one of Connecticut's State Parks that offers camping, so we took advantage and made several new friends. We camped, swam, fished, hiked and picnic."

    "General: There are three sections to this campground: five canoe sites; 16 sites including one cabin behind the ranger station and what I would assume is the main section with 61 sites."

    9. Mystic KOA

    25 Reviews
    North Stonington, CT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 599-5101

    "During our stay we enjoyed our campsite as it was close to the pool. The grounds were beautiful to walk on with water nearby and little places to explore."

    "We stayed at Mystic KOA in North Stonington, Connecticut, to be tourists in Mystic. Spoiler alert… we had a great stay! "

    10. Aces High RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Montville, CT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-8858

    $74 - $80 / night

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Gilman, CT

221 Photos of 141 Gilman Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Gilman, CT

690 Reviews of 141 Gilman 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Giant area to pick a spot!

    So half the camp ground is closed for bathroom renovations but that still left the whole other half open and the whole campground by the water! The showers aren’t good, but that always comes with coin showers and not being able to choose the temperature. Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything. Great location and best park in Rhode Island. Can’t wait to go back and have the bathroom renovations done!

  • S
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    Close to a beach, serenity hiding in city life

    Some areas to hike on a small scale. Nice view of the water. No ocean views. Many unlevel sites. Fairly close together.

  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Lived up to its name

    Sites/facilities were as expected and I could have been very satisfied with our 1 night stay.  There are a lot of rules for camping here, which is confusing because there does not appear to be anyone to enforce them.  Late arrivals? Noise? I suspect that the couple who pulled into the site next to ours after 10PM with two cars and an infant are homeless and poached the site.  They were not there for the hiking or the camping experience and their infant child screamed or babbled through most of the night.  That plus the adults talking, car doors opening and closing, engine running, baby einstein videos playing...  In the morning they packed up and left.  I'm not an advocate of criminalizing homelessness, but if you are looking for a night in the woods listening to crickets and owls, this is not the place.

Guide to Gilman

Camping near Gilman, Connecticut, offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like Hammonasset State Park Campground, provide easy access to the beach. One visitor mentioned, "The beach was popular," making it a great spot for swimming and sunbathing.
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at George Washington State Campground. A camper noted, "It does have some great things going for it, namely the hiking trails and views of the lake."
  • Family Activities: Campgrounds like Mystic KOA offer daily activities for kids. One family shared, "The entire place is completely geared to families," highlighting the fun atmosphere.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Rocky Neck State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms were average in cleanliness," indicating a generally positive experience.
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds provide roomy sites. A reviewer at Brialee Family Campground mentioned, "The cabins were absolutely beautiful and clean," showcasing the campground's commitment to comfort.
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. One guest at Wilderness Lake Park noted, "The hosts are nice and helpful," which adds to the overall experience.

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during weekends. A camper at Lake Compounce Campground mentioned, "It is pretty empty during the week and gets busy during the weekend," so plan accordingly.
  • Pet Policies: Not all campgrounds allow pets. For instance, Rocky Neck State Park Campground has a strict no-pets policy, which is important to keep in mind if you're traveling with furry friends.
  • Reservation Recommendations: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Hammonasset State Park Campground advised, "If you are looking for a site it’s best to book far in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Look for campgrounds with organized activities for kids. One family at Mystic KOA enjoyed the "family movies, trick or treating, and hay rides," which made their stay memorable.
  • Choose the Right Site: Opt for sites that are close to bathrooms and play areas. A camper at Riverdale Farm Campsites found their site "close to the playground," making it convenient for kids.
  • Pack Essentials: Bring along games and outdoor toys to keep the kids entertained. A visitor at Brialee Family Campground mentioned, "The activities were great and kept my grandchildren busy."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups for your RV. A reviewer at George Washington State Campground noted, "Full water and electrical hookup," which is crucial for a comfortable stay.
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some sites can be tight, so be prepared for close quarters. A camper at Wilderness Lake Park mentioned, "Some of the non-seasonal sites are very tight," so plan your setup accordingly.
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of the campground's location to visit local attractions. A visitor at Lake Compounce Campground enjoyed the proximity to the amusement park, saying, "It is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother."

Camping near Gilman, Connecticut, offers a variety of experiences for families and RVers alike. With clean facilities, friendly staff, and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gilman, Colorado an abandoned ghost town you can visit?

Yes, Gilman is an authentic abandoned ghost town in Colorado, but it is not open for public visitation. The site has been fenced off and is strictly monitored due to its designation as an EPA Superfund site with hazardous materials and unstable structures. Trespassing is illegal and strictly enforced with potential for significant fines. While you can't enter Gilman itself, you can view it from a distance along Highway 24. For those interested in ghost towns, Colorado offers many other accessible historic mining towns to explore, with nearby camping options at Mystic KOA providing a comfortable base for regional exploration.

Why was the town of Gilman, Colorado abandoned?

Gilman was abandoned in 1984 due to severe environmental contamination from nearly a century of zinc, lead, and copper mining operations. The Eagle Mine and its associated facilities left behind toxic levels of heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc that contaminated soil, groundwater, and the Eagle River. After the EPA investigated in the early 1980s, the area was declared a Superfund site requiring extensive environmental remediation. Mining company owners ordered an immediate evacuation, forcing residents to leave virtually everything behind, which explains the eerily preserved state of the town today. While you can't visit Gilman directly, nearby Wolf's Den Family Campground offers comfortable accommodations for exploring other historic Colorado sites.

Can you legally explore or camp near Gilman, Colorado?

No, you cannot legally explore Gilman itself - the town is private property, fenced off, and entering constitutes trespassing with potential legal consequences including fines and arrest. While you can't camp directly at Gilman, there are several legal camping options in the surrounding Eagle County area. Hammonasset State Park Campground provides well-maintained facilities with full amenities for those exploring the region. The White River National Forest also offers both developed campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities nearby, though specific regulations should be checked with the Forest Service before your trip, as rules can change seasonally.

How do you safely view Gilman from Highway 24 in Colorado?

The safest way to view Gilman is from designated pull-offs along Highway 24 as it climbs Battle Mountain between Minturn and Leadville. The most popular viewpoint is a widened shoulder area approximately 1.5 miles south of Minturn, where you can safely park and see the abandoned buildings clinging to the mountainside. Never stop in areas without proper pull-offs, as Highway 24 has steep grades and limited visibility. Binoculars or a camera with zoom lens will enhance your viewing experience. For a comfortable base while exploring the area, Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers excellent amenities, though it requires advance planning during peak seasons.

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