147 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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!"
from $60 - $120 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
from $50 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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"The peacocks roaming around are the cherry on top. Overall, just a wonderful campground."
"Lots of fun at the beach, kayaking on the lake or just hanging at your site. Petting zoo, craft cabin, arcade, bingo and lots more!"
ScoutWe picked this campground because we wanted to explore both Connecticut and Rhode Island without changing campsites halfway through the trip. It worked really well for that. We spent most of the day out exploring and came back in the evening to make dinner at the RV. Much more relaxing than bouncing between hotels.
ScoutBrought our dog along and really appreciated having a trail we could walk together. It was nice being able to get out for a walk without even leaving the campground.
ScoutStayed for a weekend. Staff was super friendly and the park was very clean. Enjoyed some fishing and caught some small trout with my kids. Very relaxing and enjoyed our stay.
ScoutI do not recommend staying at this campsite. As you can't drive to the Campsite, as you have to come on a kayak or canoe.
TravelerOverall a superb spot to either stay put and enjoy the camp, park and beach or to use as a base to explore the region. Huge campground, yet peaceful. Online map would make it seem spaces are tight but it is a very big area and so ample room to stretch out your space. Not a lot of privacy as most spaces are out in the open or light tree area but it is not an invasive feeling situation. Very popular for CT families with biking, walking and the beautiful beach right here. Lots of grass, level sites. A few sites have electric but not many and this seems to be the big rig area. Most people are tent or small camper setups. Bathrooms clean, hot water reasonable temp. Dish washing stations at each restroom. Movies at night (kids). The state park is really pretty and well maintained. The area towns are very pretty and remarkably quiet in general (not many tourist traps) and its easy to access various shoreline parks, drives, viewpoints. I'd avoid the spots very nearest the park road as it does get a lot of day visitors to the park/beach. I'm here late August and schools go back this week so midweek the campground is less than half full but I believe it will fill for the weekend.
ScoutWe brought the camper for a quick two-night getaway and spent most of our time doing absolutely nothing. Cooked outside, read a little, and finally slowed down for a weekend.
ScoutWe came up for two nights with our tent and ended up wishing we had booked another. Nothing fancy about our weekend, just cooking outside, sleeping under the trees, and enjoying some time away.
ScoutWe use Oakhaven as our first camping trip of the year typically it’s near a home less an hour away yet it feels like it’s much further. Well, located in a small community in southwestern Massachusetts. You can access a lot of tourist areas for day trips if you’re so inclined like Sturbridge mass or the Cobb and Reservoir area. This is a great campground for dogs nice areas to take a walk and also out into the main town area. Owners are pretty chill. There isn’t a ton of activities or special events. Just a few to keep things interesting. Camp store is well stocked.
Scoutgreat location, with pool, electric and bathrooms/showers. close to ferry
Eastern Connecticut camping sites near Gilman, Connecticut range from state parks to privately-owned facilities nestled in the wooded, rolling terrain typical of New England's inland areas. The region maintains relatively mild summers with average high temperatures around 80-85°F, making it comfortable for outdoor activities from late spring through early fall. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for hiking and exploration.
Hike to scenic waterfalls: At Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground, Chapman Falls is just across the street from the camping area. "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," notes one visitor. Another camper mentions, "The state park is nice but the campground isn't the best, one of my visits the site next to me was playing music from their car radio the whole day."
Kayaking upstream: Launch kayaks from several local campgrounds to explore waterways. One camper at Devil's Hopyard explained, "We biked from the Chester ferry to Devils Hopyard campground, at the north part of the park. The waterfall was a quick walk away and you could hike down to the river for a quick dip. The river isn't deep enough for a full swim but still was good enough on a hot day."
Fishing opportunities: The Pachaug River offers fishing access. An experienced camper at Hopeville Pond State Park Campground shares, "From here, we paddled south to the end of the pond and up the Pachaug River, eventually reaching the dam at Pachaug Pond. It's an 8 mile paddle with some tricky spots to navigate, but very pretty! This park also has plenty of trails for hiking and geocaching."
Secluded waterfront sites: Some campgrounds offer premium water access. "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," explains a Hopeville Pond camper.
Salt water pools: Waters Edge Family Campground provides alternative swimming options. One visitor highlights, "Most amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us). Very friendly guests and staff! Amazing weekend with lots of fun for the kids and even the dogs! We've been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park."
Halloween camping events: Seasonal activities create unique experiences at Odetah Camping Resort. "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. Hope to go back again," shares a returning camper.
Limited privacy at some sites: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Odetah, one camper notes, "Resort is the right word! We went in cooler September during Covid, so we couldn't take advantage of all the amenities, but we've already decided we need to book a trip for peak season next summer. The only con is the sites are not very private...at all."
Rules vary by location: State parks and private campgrounds have different regulations. "If you DON'T enjoy privacy, or peace and quiet, or rules being enforced, such as quiet hours...then you will maybe like it here," warns a camper about Salt Rock Campground. "You can basically see every Campsite from anywhere in the park, barely any trees in between sites to add privacy."
Tent restrictions at some facilities: Not all campgrounds welcome tent campers equally. A recent visitor to Odetah reports, "Odetah Camping Resort called us today 24 hours prior to our arrival- after 4 years of camping there- to cancel our site unless we rented an RV and didn't use tents. We were allowed to book and had the booking for 4 months."
Pool amenities for children: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation. At Strawberry Park, "I love that I see the same staff there every year. There are seasonal and weekenders alike. Bingo every night, and more activities than you could possibly do! The kids ride their bikes to the sports fields, the rec center for the pool and activities. Oh and my young children LOVE the air pillow, they have spent hours on there."
Activity schedules: Some campgrounds provide organized entertainment. "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade (at the time it had DDR which was all the rage). It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!" describes a Strawberry Park visitor.
Beach access considerations: Rocky Neck State Park offers direct beach access. A visitor notes, "The campgrounds are named after water fowl: Crane, Egret, Osprey, Heron etc...We stayed in Egret. We camped at site #4 (sunny) then moved to #38 (shady). Bathhouses and toilets were not as cleaned as I would have liked but passable."
Waterfront RV parking: Some locations offer premium water views. At Crocker's Boatyard, "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Crockers Boatyard. Very friendly and helpful staff, great location, security gated after hours. Had water and 50 amp hookup. Very convenient to many attractions and restaurants."
Weekday camping recommended: Weekends can be crowded at popular destinations. One camper at Mystic KOA advises, "If you like close quarters and being welcomed by a booze bus, then this KOA is for you. The amenities seemed clean and fine, no complaints about the staff, but this KOA is not our cup of tea."
Level site options: Finding level sites matters for RVs. An Aces High RV Park visitor shares, "Peaceful. Well organized campground with both water front back in sites as well as large pull throughs. Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors. Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it."
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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