Wawaloam Campground
Halloween stay
Good place to come for Halloween trick-or-treating for kids, lots of activities to keep you busy
120 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Groton, Connecticut range from state parks to marinas with RV spaces. The region includes Rocky Neck State Park Campground, located on Long Island Sound approximately 10 miles west of Groton, offering tent, RV, and cabin accommodations without hookups. Several private facilities like Crocker's Boatyard in New London provide unique marina-based camping for RVs, while established campgrounds such as Mystic KOA and Sun Outdoors Mystic accommodate tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin rentals within 15 miles of Groton.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with state parks typically open from late May through September, while private RV resorts may extend their seasons into October or November. Rocky Neck State Park requires advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when beach access is a popular draw. Campers report variable bathroom cleanliness at state facilities, though most are adequately maintained. Water and electric hookups are limited at state parks but standard at private campgrounds. The coastal location means moderate temperatures but potential for coastal storms. "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," noted one Rocky Neck visitor.
Mixed-use campgrounds dominate the Groton area, with many facilities accommodating both tent and RV camping. Crocker's Boatyard stands out for its unique setting, with campers mentioning the interesting experience of watching marina operations. "We were here on an extremely hot and humid couple days. It was great to have electric and water hookups. Also being able to use their pool with our grandchildren was great," shared one reviewer. Rocky Neck State Park receives consistent praise for its beach access, though some mention crowding during peak summer weekends. The campgrounds near Mystic provide convenient access to local attractions, including the Mystic Seaport Museum and Mystic Aquarium, making them popular bases for exploring the region while maintaining camp amenities like showers, restrooms, and recreational facilities.
"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"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"My parents stayed in a bunkhouse and my husband and I stayed on the adjacent site. Bunkhouse is very basic but clean. Sites are well spaced with lots of types to choose from."
"There's a small beach at the pond, a boat ramp, and proximity to wildlife refuges and the ocean. It's a HUGE campground, with 700 sites and 20 cabins. Canoes are available to rent."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We had a great time walking the dogs, and we used the dog run several times. The campground is close to Mystic Seaport, which was beautiful."
"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."
"His place in Niantic Connecticut very close to downtown and the beach which they have a shuttle for. The staff is very friendly, courteous and knowledgeable of the area."
"Close to level parking pad, with table and very nice brick firepit. Sites not too close together. I had woods behind me. I would definitely camp here again."
"This park is in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions."
"Our site was wide and had some bushes adding privacy from some nearby RVs."
"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"It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"
"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."
from $60 - $120 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
"I had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check AvailabilityGood place to come for Halloween trick-or-treating for kids, lots of activities to keep you busy
We rented a cabin for the weekend and it worked out really well for our family. It was nice having a comfortable place to come back to after being outside all day. The kids loved the pool and exploring around the campground.
If youre looking for a campground where the kids can actually stay busy, this is a good one. Between the playground, pool and other activities, ours didnt have much time to complain lol.
Nothing fancy, great for us as a stop along the way. Large, open gravel space surrounded by boats. Cute in-ground pool just closed for the season, great washroom & showers. A bunch of restaurants around the corner - highly recommend The Waffle Company. Dump station at the waste treatment plant 5 minutes away, no charge, very helpful staff, tight quarters, choose your route carefully if your rig is >13 ft - bridges.
Enjoyed our stay at this campground for a weekend in mid September. We booked for a good rate using Campspot and it was well worth the money. Our site was wide and had some bushes adding privacy from some nearby RVs. The campground was quiet and had several nice amenities, like a store, laundry, dog park, playground, pool, basketball court, and more. It was close to Olde Mystic and plenty of other nearby attractions.
Sites are rocky and not the most level. Fairly private. No water elec or sewer @ sites. Water spigot spread throughout the park. 2 nice sewer dumps. 1 in the middle of the park and 1 on your way out. Decent beaches. Pretty nice playground. Horrible arcade. The camp store is awesome. Everything you need. They are doing alot of work updating the park and it shows. New bath houses are really nice. We have gone 3 times this year. Good family campground
We booked this campground, as well as 2 others, to see how we liked them to visit our daughter and granddaughter. We are in section 2, site 016. Small site, did not get level. Beautiful beaches and homes in the area.
Nice campground. Pull through was helpful for quick overnight stay. I like that there are some walking paths and a dog beach. We would return.
Nice location if you like taking day trips. We explored during the day and came back to camp each night.
Campgrounds near Groton, Connecticut offer varying experiences from lakeside tent setups to full-service RV facilities within a 20-mile radius. Summer humidity typically ranges between 65-80% with temperatures averaging 78-85°F during peak camping season. Insect activity increases after rainfall, particularly at waterfront sites where mosquitoes can be problematic in July and August.
Kayaking opportunities: The waterways near Crocker's Boatyard in New London connect to the Thames River. "We took the ferry to Block Island which was also walking distance from the boat yard. Block Island a must see," notes James G. about Crocker's Boatyard, which serves as a convenient base for water activities.
Beach exploration: Hammonasset State Park Campground offers 2 miles of beach shoreline with designated swimming areas. "You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center," explains Tiffany T. about Hammonasset State Park Campground.
Casino visits: Several campgrounds position themselves as bases for visiting nearby gambling establishments. "Close to I-95 and 15 minutes from the beach. Fishing areas for the kids," reports Tom S. about Aces High RV Park, which sits approximately 15 minutes from Mohegan Sun Casino.
Water access: The proximity to Long Island Sound provides swimming opportunities at multiple locations. "The beach is a short walk away from the camping site, but the camp sites do fill up FAST over the summer," warns Bianca M. from Hammonasset State Park Campground, suggesting early reservations.
Pool facilities: When ocean swimming isn't preferred, several campgrounds maintain pool areas. "Enjoyed the pool," shares Steve Z. about Crocker's Boatyard, while other reviews mention "The pool is very clean as are the bathrooms and showers" at the same facility.
Entertainment options: Organized activities keep campers engaged during their stay. "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," explains Ryan C. about Strawberry Park, which schedules regular programming.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds near Groton operate with limited availability outside summer months. "We stayed in October 2018. Tucked away in the woods I never knew this was there!" says April L. about Odetah Camping Resort, which runs from May through early November.
Site privacy varies: The degree of separation between campsites differs significantly across facilities. "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," advises Nancy W. about Mystic KOA.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. "You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field," notes Cynthia K. regarding Mystic KOA's location near Interstate 95, which creates ambient traffic noise.
Activity scheduling: Plan around peak usage times for popular amenities. "Each weekend has a big schedule of events- farmers' market, themed activities and a band. In addition there is good fishing on the pond, mini-golf, pool and splash pad, etc. Kids are not bored here!" shares Anne M. about Odetah Camping Resort.
Beach timing: Morning arrivals secure better spots during busy periods. "The beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack. Great family place," mentions Nichol P. about Rocky Neck State Park.
Pet restrictions: Rules regarding animals vary by location and season. "Pets ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this," cautions Laura L. about Burlingame State Park Campground, highlighting the importance of verifying pet policies before arrival.
Hookup availability: Electrical and water connections differ between state and private facilities. "No electricity at the sites. Will try a cabin next time," notes Cendy G. about Burlingame State Park, while private campgrounds typically offer fuller services.
Site surfaces: Ground conditions affect leveling and equipment setup. "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it," details April L. about Aces High RV Park, providing insights into parking surface conditions.
Dump station access: Waste disposal locations require planning at some facilities. "There are two dumping spots each with two dumps," reports Andrew P. about Burlingame State Park, which helps RVers prepare for departure procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Groton, CT?
The Groton area offers several excellent camping options. Mystic KOA in nearby North Stonington provides clean, spacious sites with helpful staff and is conveniently located for exploring Mystic's attractions. Just a short drive away, Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers sites near Long Island Sound with beach access. Other notable options include Hammonasset State Park Campground with beautiful beachfront sites, Hopeville Pond State Park where you can camp, swim, fish and hike, and Wilderness Lake Park featuring secluded tent sites. Most campgrounds in the area provide clean facilities and access to outdoor activities, making them ideal bases for exploring Connecticut's coastal region.
Are there RV campgrounds available near Groton?
Yes, several quality RV campgrounds are available near Groton. Wolf's Den Family Campground is located off Route 9 on the east side of the Connecticut River and offers convenient access to attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera. Strawberry Park in Preston is another excellent option with full hookup sites. Additional RV-friendly options include Sun Outdoors Mystic with big-rig-friendly sites, and Odetah Camping Resort which offers boat-in and drive-in access with full amenities. Most RV parks in the area provide water hookups, dump stations, and 30/50-amp electrical service, making them suitable for various RV sizes.
Can I find affordable or cheap camping options in Groton?
Yes, affordable camping options exist near Groton, with state parks offering the best value. Hopeville Pond State Park Campground provides reasonably priced sites with swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. Pachaug State Forest offers first-come, first-served camping at budget-friendly rates. State parks in Connecticut typically charge around $30-35 per night for basic sites with restroom access but limited hookups. For those willing to travel slightly further, George Washington State Campground near the Connecticut-Rhode Island border offers affordable rates. During off-season periods, even private campgrounds like Whispering Pines may offer reduced rates, though amenities might be limited outside peak season.
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