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Best Campgrounds near Manchester, CT

666 Reviews

The camping landscape surrounding Manchester, Connecticut encompasses a mix of developed campgrounds and natural settings within a 30-mile radius. Several established campgrounds cater to different camping styles, including The Quarry Campground with its multiple accommodation options and Wilderness Lake Park offering tent, RV, and glamping experiences. Most campgrounds in the region provide amenities ranging from basic to full-service, with some featuring lakefront access, hiking trails, and recreational facilities.

Campground reservations are generally recommended throughout the region, particularly during the peak summer season when sites fill quickly. Most facilities operate from April through October or early November, with limited winter availability. "The staff is super nice, the sites aren't on top of each other, but close enough to say hi to your neighbors in the morning," noted one visitor about Nelson's Family Campground. Road access to most established campgrounds is suitable for passenger vehicles, though some tent-only areas may require short walks from parking areas. Cell service varies throughout the region, with more remote areas experiencing limited coverage.

Lakefront and riverside camping opportunities attract many visitors to the area's campgrounds. Water-based recreation forms a central part of the camping experience at locations like Wilderness Lake Park, where complimentary kayaks and canoes are available to guests. According to one camper, "The lake was quiet and we saw kids swimming in it in the morning. There was a hiking trail on the property." Several campgrounds feature family-friendly amenities such as swimming areas, fishing ponds, playgrounds, and organized activities. While many sites offer electric and water hookups for RVs, tent campers can find secluded spots in wooded areas at several campgrounds. Seasonal campers occupy a significant portion of sites at some campgrounds, creating established communities during summer months. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with natural settings providing habitat for various bird species and small mammals.

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Best Camping Sites Near Manchester, Connecticut (160)

    1. Wilderness Lake Park

    14 Reviews
    Willington, CT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 684-6352

    $70 / night

    "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."

    "It’s a dog friendly park which was good for us, our dog could swim in the lake with us. Cute patio overlooking the lake as well with seating."

    2. The Quarry Campground

    5 Reviews
    Tolland, CT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 875-8325

    $45 - $68 / night

    "We came to discover new bike trails and this one was close to the Hop bike trail which we enjoyed very much"

    3. Waters Edge Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Amston, CT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 642-7470

    $45 - $100 / night

    "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."

    4. Brialee Family Campground

    14 Reviews
    Ashford, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 303-2267

    $25 - $150 / night

    "Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field. Nice sites. Decent laundry and showers. Great place with kids.....lots of seasonal, but plenty short term."

    "Nice hiking around the area. Bathrooms are clean. Good for kids/families."

    5. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 583-3300

    "Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."

    "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."

    6. Odetah Camping Resort

    13 Reviews
    Bozrah, CT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 889-4144

    "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."

    7. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Salem, CT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 526-2336

    $14 / night

    "There are trails behind the sites along a large marsh. The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."

    "The sites are very open, not wooded so you have little privacy from adjacent sites."

    8. River Highlands State Park River Campground

    1 Review
    Cromwell, CT
    13 miles
    +1 (203) 287-5658

    $5 / night

    "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."

    9. Markham Meadows

    2 Reviews
    North Westchester, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 267-9738

    10. Onion Mountain Park

    3 Reviews
    West Simsbury, CT
    19 miles
    Website

    "We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."

    "It’s up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it’s not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."

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Recent Camping Photos near Manchester, CT

274 Photos of 160 Manchester Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Manchester, CT

666 Reviews of 160 Manchester Campgrounds

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    Great State Forest Campground

    Austin Hawes (also known as American Legion State Forest/Campground) is a great little place in a beautiful part of the State. They have cabins if you want some of the creature comforts, as well as sites suitable for tents or campers. Have camped here before in tents and a pop up, it's right on the Farmington River, so we have gone tubing down the river, swimming and fishing as well. The bathrooms have showers and flush toilets, there are hiking trails in and near the campground, and stores not too far. Sites vary in size and privacy.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Black Rock State Park Campground

    Nah

    If you want to feel like you are camping in the middle of a lawless low income housing project, this is the place for you. We camped next to a woman with 2 pit bulls, which was surprising, given the "no dogs allowed" rule, and were surrounded by people partying despite the "no alcohol" rule. Teens congregate in the bathroom so they could charge their devices but did not appreciate you being there to use the bathroom they clearly took over, and even though it's 2025, I still prefer no boyfriends hanging out in the women's bathroom. Call me whatever. Used to camp here years ago, clearly it has gone downhill. Park Ranger? What's that?

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Green Falls Campground

    Inexpensive and primitive

    We like Green Falls. Again, it is inexpensive and kinda primitive, but it sure also quiet and a real woods camping environment. Take a hike around the pond, fish and swim in season, and enjoy a laid back approach to your time here.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Great spot for no frills camping

    We loved Mt. Misery. We spent $17/night, and we know what to expect at that price point. We stayed during fall foliage season and even though CT has had a drought this year, there were still pretty colors to see. We hiked to the overlook of Mt. Misery and had a great time geocaching and enjoying the trails. We found the campsites to be decent, and a number of them did afford privacy and space, we had 4 people and 3 dogs on our site, and had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2 tents. We will be back here for sure.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great spot and good communication

    Was in town for the Elvis show. This was minutes from downtown definitely walkable. Will be back again!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Point Folly Campground

    Great

    I’ve been coming here for decades. Little store has what you need if you can find the shop keeper. Great access to bantam lake. You can leave you canoes/kayaks tied up in the water. Great fishing. Love it overall. The only issue I have is the pit toilets are brutal. If you are tent camping, beware!

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Mystic KOA

    KOA Mystic

    From the first interaction you see this KOA is customer focused. The staff is friendly, professional and helpful. The grounds are well maintained as are the facilities.

  • Christine S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Quiet and clean

    So far it's been pretty quiet but we are here at the beginning of October on a Monday. Nice area.

  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Lived up to its name

    Sites/facilities were as expected and I could have been very satisfied with our 1 night stay.  There are a lot of rules for camping here, which is confusing because there does not appear to be anyone to enforce them.  Late arrivals? Noise? I suspect that the couple who pulled into the site next to ours after 10PM with two cars and an infant are homeless and poached the site.  They were not there for the hiking or the camping experience and their infant child screamed or babbled through most of the night.  That plus the adults talking, car doors opening and closing, engine running, baby einstein videos playing...  In the morning they packed up and left.  I'm not an advocate of criminalizing homelessness, but if you are looking for a night in the woods listening to crickets and owls, this is not the place.

Guide to Manchester

The region surrounding Manchester, Connecticut encompasses a variety of established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, offering experiences from rustic tent camping to full-service RV resorts with cabin options. Notable locations include Wilderness Lake Park in Willington, which provides tent, RV, and glamping accommodations along a scenic lake, and The Quarry Campground with its 115 sites featuring both tent and RV setups. Several family-oriented resorts like Nelson's Family Campground and Waters Edge Family Campground supplement the camping landscape, creating a mix of private resort-style facilities and more basic camping areas.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October or early November, closing during winter months. "The campground is peaceful and quiet. Lots of wooded sites available," noted one visitor about Nelson's Family Campground. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities frequently reach capacity. Many private campgrounds accept only cash payment, with Wilderness Lake Park specifically mentioned as accepting "cash or Venmo only." Full hookup RV sites are limited at some facilities, with several reviews indicating these premium spots are often reserved for seasonal campers, leaving shorter-term visitors with partial hookups.

Waterfront camping represents a distinctive feature across several properties, with lakes providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Several visitors highlighted the availability of complimentary watercraft as a significant amenity. According to one camper at Wilderness Lake Park, "The lake is nice and the hiking is good. The staff was friendly and helpful." Campground layouts typically include a combination of wooded and open sites, with varying levels of privacy. While some locations offer secluded tent areas set back from main camping zones, others feature more communal settings. Amenities range considerably, from basic facilities with portable toilets to comprehensive resorts with recreation halls, swimming pools, organized activities, and on-site stores. Public lands with primitive camping options are notably limited in this region compared to private campground options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping sites near Manchester?

Connecticut offers several excellent camping options near Manchester. Hammonasset State Park Campground is a beautiful beachfront option with well-maintained facilities, a camp store, and easy access to local amenities. For those seeking a more nature-focused experience, Hopeville Pond State Park Campground provides swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities with family-friendly biking trails. Both parks are within reasonable driving distance from Manchester and offer different camping experiences - coastal versus woodland settings. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months, so booking in advance is recommended.

Are there any cabin campgrounds available near Manchester?

Yes, there are cabin options available near Manchester. Mystic KOA in North Stonington offers cabin accommodations in addition to their regular campsites. This well-maintained campground is approximately an hour's drive from Manchester and provides excellent amenities including a pool and well-stocked store. It's strategically located just 15 minutes from Mystic attractions and about an hour from Newport, Rhode Island. For a more rustic experience, consider Waters Edge Family Campground near Lebanon, which offers cabin rentals with access to water recreation. Reservations are strongly recommended for both locations, especially during the peak summer season.

What are the best tent camping options near Manchester?

For tent campers near Manchester, Wilderness Lake Park offers excellent secluded tent sites despite being primarily an RV park. The campground provides a refreshing experience with lakeside settings and is considered a hidden gem in Connecticut's limited outdoor offerings. Another great option is Rocky Neck State Park Campground, which provides affordable tent sites ($33/night) with nearby bathhouse facilities. Located on Long Island Sound, it offers a unique coastal camping experience with beach access. Both locations have clean facilities and provide a true outdoor experience, though Rocky Neck doesn't offer hookups, making it perfect for traditional tent camping.

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