145 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several established campgrounds cluster within a 20-mile radius of Hanover, Connecticut, primarily along the eastern Connecticut woodlands and waterways. Odetah Camping Resort in Bozrah and Strawberry Park in Preston offer full-service accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. Hopeville Pond State Park Campground provides a more nature-focused alternative with lake access, while private campgrounds like Mystic KOA extend camping options toward the coast. The region features a mix of state-managed and privately operated facilities, with many accommodating multiple camping styles from primitive tent sites to fully-equipped RV pads.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping in the Hanover area, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. According to one visitor, "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country. That being said, it's more rewarding when you find a little gem." Weather patterns typically feature warm, humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Campground availability becomes limited during peak summer weekends, particularly at waterfront locations. Advance reservations are essential for popular state parks like Hopeville Pond and Salt Rock Campground, which often fill completely during holiday weekends. Most developed campgrounds require registration and payment, with fees ranging significantly between state-managed and private facilities.
The camping experience near Hanover balances woodland settings with water-based recreation opportunities. State park campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, fishing, and swimming in freshwater ponds and lakes. A recent review noted that Hopeville Pond State Park offers opportunities to "camp, swim, fish, hike and picnic." Private campgrounds typically feature more amenities, including swimming pools, organized activities, and convenience stores. Several reviewers mention the family-friendly atmosphere at locations like Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon. Proximity to coastal attractions represents another draw, with campgrounds in the eastern portion of the region providing convenient access to Mystic, Connecticut and Rhode Island beaches. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species that frequent the woodland campsites and adjacent natural areas.
"Nothing beats cooking breakfast outside on a cool Connecticut morning. Coffee tasted especially good on this trip."
"We 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."
"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."
"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"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 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"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! "
"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!"
"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 is a beautiful creek that many of the sites border. The new owners have owned it about 7 years and they have really been making it a lovely place."
"Campground is situated in a beautiful valley with a little pond, hiking trails, playground, jumping pillow, swimming pool and hot tub. Owner is very involved, energetic, and friendly."
"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
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ScoutWe came with another family and had a blast. The kids disappeared together for half the day while the adults hung around the sites. Between fishing, the pool and the other activities, everyone found something they liked. Would definatly come back.
ScoutOur kids are already asking when we can go back. They loved the pool, playground and all the space to run around. We mostly just sat back and enjoyed having a few days off.
ScoutFriendly staff and very clean facilities. They have sites with sewage hookups along with water and electric. Sites are small and very close together. I liked how many dog waste receptacles were available all over the property.
ScoutBrought our camper up for a long weekend and had plenty of room to relax. The campground store was also super handy when we realized we forgot a few things.
ScoutWe have been coming here seasonally and its become our little weekend escape. There is always something going on and the kids have made so many friends. Makes it easy to just pack a few things and head out.
ScoutNothing beats a slow morning at the campsite with a cup of coffee. We really enjoyed the trails and just walking around before everyone else was up.
TravelerWhen I arrived, I discovered this site they reserve for me was not level, and the picnic table was blocking access to the electric. When I asked the office for help, I was told maintenance had already left around 4 o’clock, and nobody could help me. I was offered a different side if I wanted to pay the extra price. I managed to wrestle the table out of the way and made it work. But the Wi-Fi was worthless.
TravelerGood place to come for Halloween trick-or-treating for kids, lots of activities to keep you busy
ScoutWe 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.
Camping opportunities within the eastern Connecticut woodlands near Hanover feature a range of terrain from riverside sites to woodland settings. The region sits at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level, with the Pachaug and Shetucket river systems creating natural recreation corridors. Spring temperatures typically range from 45-70°F, while summer can bring extended periods of humidity with temperatures consistently above 80°F.
Paddle the waterways: At Waters Edge Family Campground, campers enjoy direct lake access for kayaking. One visitor shared, "We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night."
Explore hiking trails: Multiple paths connect campgrounds to nearby forest systems. A camper at Hopeville Pond noted, "There are many trails for hiking and a beach for swimming. There is a boat launch too." Some trails lead to viewpoints of surrounding valleys and small waterfalls.
Visit local attractions: Many campsites serve as convenient bases for exploring coastal Connecticut. From Mystic KOA, travelers can easily access regional highlights. "We chose Mystic KOA and stayed in a full hook up-50amp pull through site. The campground is close to Mystic Seaport, which was beautiful. We ate Mystic Pizza II at our campsite (right down the road), and visited the adorable town of Groton to eat at Fred's Lobster."
Clean facilities: Cleanliness ranks high in visitor satisfaction. At Sunfox Campground, a visitor appreciated "Super clean, friendly environment very nice playground and pool plus a nice lake to swim and fish in."
Family-oriented activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged throughout summer months. A visitor to Brialee Family Campground reported, "The campground offers activities pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy. Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs."
Water recreation: Swimming options vary from natural ponds to constructed pools. According to one visitor, "The lake is great!! The pool area is a little small, but the attraction is the lake. The splash area at the pool is great for little kids."
Seasonal programming: Halloween camping has become increasingly popular. A family who stayed at Odetah shared, "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."
Booking requirements: Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially for weekend stays. At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, campers should book early for waterfront sites, particularly sites CN02, CN03 and CN04 which "have direct waterfront on the pond."
Quiet hours enforcement: Enforcement varies significantly between campgrounds. At Salt Rock Campground, one visitor noted "quiet hours are merely a suggestion, and folks turn up until 4AM on Friday nights."
Site privacy levels: Campsite layouts range from secluded to social. A camper mentioned, "The sites in this loop offer more privacy; there's also a cabin at the beginning of this loop."
Pet policies: Rules for dogs vary by location. While many private campgrounds welcome pets, a visitor pointed out, "Note: Pets are not allowed at this campground!" regarding Hopeville Pond State Park.
Beach selection: Choose campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas for different age groups. At Burlingame State Park Campground, "Lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming. It's just minutes to the ocean by car."
Planned activities: Many campgrounds offer structured events. A visitor to Strawberry Park shared, "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."
Site location: For families seeking quieter experiences, select sites away from common areas. One camper advised, "If you want a good visit do not stay down by the lake!!!"
Recreation options: Campgrounds offer varying amenities for children. A visitor mentioned, "My young children LOVE the air pillow, they have spent hours on there. My husband loves playing volleyball in the adult pool, and I love the aqua robins every day."
Hookup availability: Electric and water services vary across the region. At Strawberry Park, "Some sites have water and electric hookups, but the majority of the sites have no utilities."
Site levelness: RVers should prepare for varying terrain. A visitor to Hidden Acres noted, "Sites are nice and the restrooms/showers are the cleanest I've seen anywhere."
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer on-site sanitation facilities. According to one review, "There are two dumping spots each with two dumps."
Site spacing: Privacy between RV sites varies significantly. As one visitor explained, "Sites are close together. The whole campground was dominated by seasonal campers. There was not full service sewer hook up, only gray water. There was a dump station."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hanover, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hanover, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 145 campgrounds and RV parks near Hanover, CT and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Hanover, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hanover, CT is Gibson Hill RV Park with a 4.8-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hanover, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Hanover, CT.
What parks are near Hanover, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Hanover, CT that allow camping, notably Westville Lake and Buffumville Lake.
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