RV campgrounds near Salem, Connecticut operate from April through October, with the most extensive facilities available during summer and early fall. The area features numerous freshwater ponds and is located approximately 40 miles east of New Haven along the Thames River watershed. Most campgrounds in this region maintain gravel sites with tree coverage varying from partially wooded to open field layouts.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Several campgrounds provide direct water access for paddling. At Countryside RV Park, you can launch directly from the property with boat-in camping options. A camper notes it's "easy drive to lake/fishing" and that while it has "limited child activities," it offers a quiet environment where "rules are enforced."
Mini golf nearby: Within a 5-minute drive from Aces High RV Park, families can access off-site mini golf courses. "Nearby (5 min drive) is also a fun looking place for mini golf," reports one visitor who appreciated the proximity to recreational options beyond the campground.
Historic Mystic attractions: Sun Outdoors Mystic provides convenient access to regional attractions. "This park is in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions," writes a visitor who used the campground as a base for sightseeing. Another camper adds it's "not much of a traditional campground but a great place to stay and explore the town of mystic."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Pond-front camping options provide scenic views at select campgrounds. At Ross Hill RV Park & Campground, campers enjoy river views. "If you want water views this is the place... The campground is set on the Q River and if you're lucky enough to see it from your site it's beautiful," explains a long-time visitor.
Concrete pads and patios: Some premium sites feature upgraded surfaces for easier leveling and setup. One camper at Aces High RV Park appreciated their "Premium Waterfront FHU Site on the lake" noting "clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio. Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should."
Seasonal recreation options: Most campgrounds offer warm-weather recreation from late spring through early fall. At Thousand Trails Sturbridge, visitors mention a "cool pond for paddle boats and canoeing" and note it's "family friendly." There's also an "indoor pool with lifeguard" and "lots of woods with a walking trail starting at the edge of the campground."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Network coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. At Thousand Trails Sturbridge, campers report "cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls." Another visitor notes it's "bad the cell reception is. Normally, I'd say that's a perk for camping but we're full-timers and work on the road."
Campground layouts: Site spacing differs between properties and can affect privacy. Some RV parks near Salem focus on maximizing capacity over spaciousness. At Douglas Forest RV Resort, visitors appreciate that "The RV sites are spacious and easy to navigate, with full hookups and strong Wi-Fi." However, other campgrounds may have tighter configurations.
Bathroom facilities: Maintenance standards for restrooms vary between properties. One visitor at Sun Outdoors Mystic observed that "the bathrooms and showers are spotless and newly painted" after recent renovations, while some smaller campgrounds have more basic facilities that receive less frequent attention.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds feature swimming facilities with varying rules. Aces High RV Park offers a "clean playground and well maintained pool" along with "large grassy areas, pavilion and volleyball court." This provides structured recreation options during summer visits.
Dog-friendly areas: Many campgrounds provide designated pet recreation spaces. One visitor at Aces High RV Park noted "there is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!" while mentioning nearby "local kayaking areas" for additional recreation.
Playground options: Play equipment quality varies significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Countryside RV Park emphasized the "quiet, limited child activities" nature of the property, while Thousand Trails Sturbridge was described as having a playground that "was a hit for our kids!"
Tips from RVers
Utility reliability: Electrical service quality varies between properties, affecting air conditioning use during summer. A visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic stated "our site didn't have sewer, but the electric and water were working fine. We saw maintenance people making repairs while we were there."
Site configurations: Some campgrounds offer specialized site arrangements for group camping. Sun Outdoors Mystic provides "buddy sites" where "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."
Seasonal considerations: RV campgrounds near Salem, Connecticut operate with varying schedules. Most have limited availability after mid-October. Sun Outdoors Mystic operates "April 14 to October 15" while Countryside RV Park runs from "May 1 to Oct 15," making advance planning essential for shoulder season visits.
