RV sites near Gilman, Connecticut provide convenient access to the Thames River watershed, an area with elevations ranging from 100-500 feet and a humid continental climate that averages 49 inches of rainfall annually. Most campgrounds in this region feature gravel or concrete pad sites situated on former agricultural land that's been converted to recreational use. The camping season typically runs from April through October with peak humidity in July and August.
What to do
Kayaking at Quinebaug River: At Ross Hill RV Park & Campground, visitors can access the Quinebaug River directly from the property. "We took our kayaks up to the dam and fished our way back," notes a camper who visited in early June.
Historic exploration: Camping facilities near Sturbridge provide easy access to Old Sturbridge Village living history museum. "Close to Old Sturbridge Village and many cool hikes and MA cities," reports one traveler who stayed at Thousand Trails Sturbridge.
Mini golf outings: Family-friendly recreation options exist within short driving distances from multiple campgrounds. A visitor at Aces High RV Park mentioned, "Nearby (5min drive) is also a fun looking place for mini golf."
What campers like
Water features: Many campers appreciate the ponds and lakes at local RV parks. "Beautiful pond and natural setting with lots of ducks, geese, chickens, and wild birds," writes a guest about Aces High RV Park.
Well-maintained sites: Clean, level camping spots receive consistently positive feedback. "Clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio (I love a clean, level concrete pad!)," notes one camper about their waterfront experience at Aces High.
Swimming options: Pools and natural swimming areas offer cooling relief during summer months. At Salt Rock Campground, "There are nice facilities and a pool and recreation area for the kids. 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."
What you should know
Facility maintenance varies: Bathroom and shower conditions differ significantly between private and state-operated campgrounds. One visitor to Salt Rock Campground observed, "Bathrooms are atrocious - stall doors have no locks, metal fittings are rusty, paint is peeling, showers are lukewarm and temp cannot be changed."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds struggle with enforcing quiet hours. A camper at Salt Rock noted, "Quiet hours are merely a suggestion, and folks turn up until 4AM on Friday nights. Music blaring from disrespectful campers until 10PM."
Site configurations: Many RV parks in the region offer various site arrangements. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, "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
Dog-friendly features: Many campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. "There is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!" mentions a visitor to Aces High RV Park.
Playground accessibility: Check playground equipment condition before booking. At Douglas Forest RV Resort, "The playground equipment shows its age" and uses "mulch surfacing, which may also limit accessibility."
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide recreational facilities for children. A visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic reported, "They had an arcade, theater area... The mini golf course was actually really nice and not the run-down homemade ones that you usually see at campgrounds."
Tips from RVers
Utility reliability: Electrical systems at some campgrounds may not handle peak loads. At Douglas Forest RV Resort, "Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult road systems for larger rigs. "The road system requires maintenance- while some fresh gravel has been applied, many intersections remain challenging for larger trailers due to poor grading and poorly placed boulders," reports a visitor to Douglas Forest.
Non-sewer alternatives: For RVers requiring full hookups, Countryside RV Park offers "Water, electric & sewer sites" that accommodate larger motorhomes with 50-amp service. "We had a great time," notes a camper who appreciated the "nice quiet" atmosphere at this campground.
