Seasonal campgrounds near Manchester, Connecticut operate primarily from May through mid-October, with limited winter camping options. Most RV sites in the region are within 30 miles of Manchester, with the closest options located along the I-84 and I-91 corridors. The terrain varies from wooded settings to lakefront properties, with elevations ranging from 100-400 feet above sea level.
What to do
Fishing and boating access: At Aces High RV Park, guests appreciate the stocked pond and surrounding natural areas. "Beautiful pond and natural setting with lots of ducks, geese, chickens, and wild birds," notes a camper at Aces High RV Park, adding that there's "a creek area for dog swimming" that their "two labs loved."
Local attractions within 30 minutes: Explore the historic seaport district near camping options. "20-minutes drive to Mystic and all the touristy stuff to see and do," reports a reviewer about Aces High RV Park, while another camper at Sun Outdoors Mystic mentioned, "Our biggest complaint was the price but camping in New England can be very pricy so you just have to shell out the cash if you want to be in a popular tourist destination."
Hiking trails: Several state parks and forests surround the Manchester area. "There is a huge area of woods with a walking trail starting at the edge of the campground. I enjoyed stretching my legs," writes a visitor at Thousand Trails Sturbridge, which offers convenient access to nature paths despite being in a developed setting.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained bathrooms: Facilities at newer campgrounds receive positive feedback. A guest at Sun Outdoors Mystic noted, "The bathrooms in the campground were newer and immaculate," and another camper mentioned, "The bathrooms and showers are spotless and newly painted."
Spacious sites at select locations: Some RV parks offer ample space between sites. "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it," reports a camper at Aces High RV Park, while another noted the "large pull throughs" that "also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors."
Resort-style amenities: Certain campgrounds provide additional activities beyond basic camping. A visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground shared, "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most RV parks in the area close during winter months. Countryside RV Park runs from "May 1 to Oct 15" according to listing data, while Thousand Trails Sturbridge operates from "April 10 to October 25."
Variable cell service and Wi-Fi quality: Connectivity differs significantly between locations. A reviewer at Thousand Trails Sturbridge reported, "Cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls."
Campground atmospheres vary widely: Some parks cater to weekenders while others host many seasonal residents. A camper observed about Aces High RV Park, "Some seasonal sites but all were tasteful and not trashy looking," while another noted Sun Outdoors Mystic "appears to have a fair number of seasonals tucked back in other areas of the park and their sites were nice and tidy."
Price considerations: RV sites near Manchester, Connecticut range widely in cost. A reviewer noted about Sun Outdoors Mystic, "Our biggest complaint was the price but camping in New England can be very pricy so you just have to shell out the cash if you want to be in a popular tourist destination."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with kid-focused activities: Several parks offer dedicated recreation options. "Great campground for families with younger kids," writes a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground, adding details about their "mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'. Kids had a blast!"
Consider sites away from busy roads: Quieter locations provide safer environments for children. A camper at Countryside RV Park noted it's a "Beautiful, family owned & run, quiet, large sites," making it suitable for families seeking peaceful surroundings.
Check playground conditions: Facilities vary in quality and maintenance. "Nice pool with time for adult only swim time," mentions a reviewer about Prospect Mountain Campground, while another parent shared, "Pool was lovely and refreshing. I do wish they had more bathrooms though. Especially by the pool!!!"
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: RV pads vary in quality and levelness. A camper at Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts appreciated that "the sites are level and a decent size with a picnic table, fire pit, shaded by the tall pines," noting these features make setup easier for larger rigs.
Utility hookup reliability: Electrical service quality differs between parks. A visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic commented on the "clean and well-maintained utilities," stating "utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should (other parks should come and take a look at how to do this right)."
Access road considerations: Entry routes may challenge larger motorhomes. "Close to I-395," notes a Countryside RV Park camper, highlighting the importance of convenient highway access for RVers traveling between destinations in the Manchester region.
