RV camping near Glastonbury Center, Connecticut offers convenient access to both forest and coastal recreation opportunities within a 30-60 minute drive. The area sits at the junction of the Connecticut River Valley and eastern highlands, creating diverse camping environments ranging from 200-500 feet in elevation. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with moderate humidity, while fall camping season brings cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage.
What to do
Mystic exploration: 20 minutes from Sun Outdoors Mystic. Visitors can explore the historic seaport, aquarium, and downtown attractions. "This park is in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions," notes a camper at Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Kayaking on the Mystic River: Launch north of downtown. Paddlers can access the water at public launches for scenic river views. "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," reports a visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Beach time at Watch Hill, RI: 30-minute drive from East Lyme. The Rhode Island coastline offers sandy beaches and ocean swimming opportunities. A camper at Aces High RV Park mentioned, "20-minutes drive to Mystic and all the touristy stuff to see and do," with nearby beaches being a popular day trip option.
Hiking in Douglas State Forest: Direct trail access. The forest offers wooded trails and nature observation opportunities. "You're literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical," according to a guest at Douglas Forest RV Resort.
What campers like
Clean concrete pads: Level sites at premium locations. Aces High RV Park offers concrete pad sites with patios at waterfront locations. "Clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio. I love a clean, level concrete pad!" shared one camper.
Dog-friendly amenities: Designated swimming areas for pets. Some campgrounds provide dedicated spaces for canine companions. "There is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!" mentioned an Aces High visitor.
Pool facilities: Family-friendly swimming options. Lake Compounce Campground provides well-maintained pool areas. "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," noted a guest about the thoughtful amenities.
Pond recreation: Fishing and paddle boats available. Prospect Mountain Campground offers water activities on their pond. "They have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar," explains a family who visited with children.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Variable connectivity by carrier. Signal strength differs significantly between campgrounds. "Cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Sturbridge.
Site spacing considerations: Proximity varies by campground. Some parks have tight arrangements while others offer more space. "The sites were close together, but I was there before there were leaves on the trees and could see how there would be more privacy once they filled out," noted a camper at Prospect Mountain Campground.
Seasonal operations: Many parks close during winter months. Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October. "It was quiet and pleasant at our site which was level and towards the back. So far, all the Sun Outdoors campgrounds we've visited have been good. They seem to buy older places and renovate/upgrade them," mentioned a camper who visited during the regular season.
Sewer connection availability: Not universal at all sites. Several campgrounds offer water and electric without sewer at standard sites. "Our site didn't have sewer, but the electric and water were working fine," reported a visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Tips for camping with families
Weekend activities: Scheduled events for children. Prospect Mountain Campground organizes regular family programming. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," shared a family camper.
Mini-golf options: On-site and nearby courses. Several campgrounds feature their own courses or are located near mini-golf facilities. "The mini golf course was actually really nice and not the run-down homemade ones that you usually see at campgrounds," noted a visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Playground facilities: Quality varies by location. Countryside RV Park focuses on quiet camping rather than extensive child activities. "Nice quite Campgrowd, limited child activity's easy drive to lake/fishing. Close to museums, shopping. This is camping, if you're looking for entertainment bring your own!" explains a visitor highlighting the more traditional camping experience.
Amusement park access: Adjacent entertainment at Lake Compounce. The campground connects directly to the amusement park. "This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother. If ever in the area again we will definitely stay again," reports a camper.
Tips from RVers
Site configuration: Check neighbor orientation. Some campgrounds arrange RVs in buddy-site configurations. "You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains a Lake Compounce Campground visitor.
Utility placement: Hookup locations vary by site. Quality campgrounds position connections optimally. "Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should (other parks should come and take a look at how to do this right)," noted an Aces High RV Park guest.
Pull-through availability: Limited at some locations. Access can be challenging for larger rigs at certain campgrounds. "They have 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," shared an Aces High RV Park visitor.
Seasonal pricing: Higher rates during peak periods. Premium waterfront locations command significantly higher prices. "We paid $150/night for a 'Premium Waterfront FHU Site' on the lake. A bit pricey, but really nice site including level concrete pad and patio," explained a visitor to Aces High RV Park.
