Connecticut's coastal region near Killingworth offers a mix of inland and shoreline camping options within 30-40 minutes of Long Island Sound. Most campgrounds in the area are situated between 100-300 feet above sea level, with maritime influences moderating temperatures compared to locations further inland. Summer night temperatures rarely drop below 65°F, making extended camping seasons possible at several facilities that remain open from April through October.
What to do
Beach access: Rocky Neck State Park Campground provides a quarter-mile walking path from campsites to a sandy beach with swimming areas. "My family has camped at Rocky Neck every year since I was a child. Every site had a central bathhouse and they have a variety of tree covering options for each campers preferences. The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails," notes one visitor.
Kayaking options: Several water access points exist within 20 minutes of Killingworth. A camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground mentioned, "Anyone with kayaks can't easily get to boat launch. It's 4-5 miles by car at 4 mile river boat launch."
Mystic attractions: Sun Outdoors Mystic serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby historic sites. "This park is in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions," reports a camper. "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."
What campers like
Spacious sites: East Lyme campgrounds typically offer more generous spacing between sites. A visitor to Aces High RV Park commented, "Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors. Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it."
Water features: Several campgrounds maintain ponds or small lakes. "Beautiful pond and natural setting with lots of ducks, geese, chickens, and wild birds," noted a camper about Aces High RV Park. Another mentioned, "There is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!"
Proximity to attractions: Most campsites offer reasonable access to beaches, casinos, and historic sites. A visitor at Countryside RV Park shared it's "Close to I-395," while another at Aces High noted it's "about 30 min to Foxwoods Casino, even closer to Mohegan Sun. Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium are also not too far."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most RV parks near Killingworth operate on limited schedules. Countryside RV Park runs "May 1 to Oct 15," while Sun Outdoors Mystic operates "April 14 to October 15."
Site types vary: Many RV sites near Killingworth come with differing amenities. At Totoket Valley RV Park, a visitor noted it's a "Small campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table."
Price considerations: Premium sites command higher rates during summer months. "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, clean and well-maintained utilities, and beautiful view," shared a visitor to Aces High RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Choose campgrounds with on-site pools or nearby beaches for warm-weather visits. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, "The main office is like a fancy clubhouse and check-in was super smooth and quick. The office has a billiards table, theater chairs with a large screen tv, a small book exchange, racks with information about the area, and a camp store."
Recreational amenities: Countryside RV Park offers fewer organized activities than some competitors. "This is camping, if you're looking for entertainment bring your own!" noted one camper.
Child-friendly facilities: Some parks provide dedicated play areas and activities. A visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic observed, "Our stay was in the spring before their busy season started so some things like the pool and water features were closed but the appearance was that it was well cared for and was a very popular attraction for families."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV pads vary in quality across facilities. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, "Our site was a nice long, level pull-thru. Hook-ups were placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel."
Utility connections: Most RV sites near Killingworth provide full hookups, but amperage varies. At North Fork Cottages & RV Resort, "Easy access to water and electric. There were tons of campers that were there for the season and kids playing together."
Access considerations: Some parks have tight entry roads. A visitor to Totoket Valley RV Park appreciated it was "Perfect for a stop over" and highlighted the "friendly owner."
