Campgrounds near Ledyard Center, Connecticut offer diverse camping options from primitive tent sites to yurt camping in the forested hills of eastern Connecticut. The area sits within the Thames River watershed at elevations of 200-400 feet, creating a unique microclimate that's typically 3-5 degrees cooler than coastal locations. Seasonal considerations affect water access, with most campground ponds and swimming areas open from late May through mid-September when water temperatures reach comfortable swimming levels.
What to do
Trail access to beaches: Rocky Neck State Park Campground provides direct access to hiking trails that lead to the beach. "The campgrounds are named after water fowl: Crane, Egret, Osprey, Heron etc...We stayed in Egret. We camped at site #4 (sunny) then moved to #38 (shady)," notes one visitor about the camping areas.
Fishing opportunities: Ross Hill RV Park offers waterfront sites on the Quinebaug River. According to a camper: "The campground is set on the Q River and if you're lucky enough to see it from your site it's beautiful. The campground CAN get packed but everyone is polite and we've never had a problem."
Shuttle service to local attractions: Niantic KOA provides convenient transportation options. "They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT," shares a visitor, making it easy to explore the area without driving.
Community garden access: Unique to the region's campgrounds, Niantic KOA features a community garden. As one reviewer noted, "Charming, full of wonderful amenities and nice extras. Nice staff, fun coin scavenger hunt, great pool, well stocked store, wide sites, lots of grass/trees and space to stretch out...Community garden was something we hadn't seen before - super fun."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Strawberry Park receives praise for comfortable camping spaces. A recent visitor mentioned, "Site was wide and allowed me to easily back in. Near perfect level. New fence poles show renovations were consistently done. Two easy dump stations with nice clean area."
Family-oriented activities: Planned activities are popular at Strawberry Park. "Lots of activities for kids. We watched a magician and played pickle ball on the courts. Kids had fun on the many play grounds," notes one camper, highlighting the diverse recreation options.
Clean facilities: Mystic KOA maintains exceptional standards according to visitors. One camper stated, "Clean, comfortable campground aimed more towards glamping. Lots of rv sites and very nice cabins. Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting at Burlingame State Park Campground creates opportunities for nature observation. "Real camping atmosphere - fire rings at each site, wooded sites (and open grass sites if you like that better). Wildlife (listening to the several types of owls is a favorite pastime at night)," explains one camper.
What you should know
Tent camping restrictions: Some properties have begun limiting tent-only camping. Odetah Camping Resort offers limited options for tent campers. A visitor noted, "They think they are kind to still allow tents-a handful of sites on a rocky hill that don't have electricity or water. So those with medical needs cannot use those sites."
Highway noise: Traffic sounds can be noticeable at certain campgrounds. One camper at Mystic KOA observed, "The only drawback is the proximity to Interstate 95. You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field."
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities at Burlingame State Park can be inconsistent during busy periods. A reviewer warned, "Bath houses - are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house, and people are gross."
Weekday vs. weekend experiences: Occupancy patterns affect camping quality. "Noise / Parties / Drunks - again, too many sites means too many people and nowhere near enough park staff. On the weekends people can get out of hand with the partying and it's not uncommon to have to listen to noise late into the night."
Tips for camping with families
Consider yurt options: Yurt camping near Ledyard Center offers an ideal solution for families with young children. A visitor to Hidden Acres Campground shared, "We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night. Definitely be sure to grab a snack at the food hit they have."
Look for designated activity areas: Sunfox Campground provides specialized recreation spaces. "This is a quant campground geared towards families being out together. They have a beautiful pool, playground and a large jumping pillow like a huge trampoline you can't fall off of," notes one visitor.
Check activity schedules: Most campgrounds post weekly event calendars. One Burlingame camper advised, "Avoid holiday weekends and the heat of August if you can. Be prepared for dirty restrooms and come armed with hand soap (they no longer provide any), paper towels, and Clorox wipes."
Bring water toys: Water features are popular with children. A Hidden Acres visitor commented, "Large well established and clean. Great mix of seasonal and vacation campers. Nice river with small beach. Arts and crafts for kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose locations carefully at Witch Meadow Lake Campground. A visitor remarked, "We were placed in a space in the back end of the campground. The overall appearance of the campground was like campers in a sardine can all cramped together."
Wi-Fi reliability varies: Internet connectivity is inconsistent. "Then there is the issue of no WiFi signal. I get you are camping but when you adjourn for the night and want to watch tc or work the websites the WiFi was ver poor at best," noted a Witch Meadow camper.
Dump station access: Plan for departure day facilities. A Strawberry Park visitor mentioned, "Two easy dump stations with nice clean area," while another camper at Niantic KOA noted, "No sewer hook up, but they do provide a honey wagon pump service, once, free of charge."
Premium site upgrades: Consider splurging on deluxe sites for more space. A Niantic KOA visitor advised, "We had tried to get a deluxe location and not completely booked. And it is huge and amazing! If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!"
