Best Campgrounds near Mansfield Center, CT

Cabin camping near Mansfield Center, Connecticut provides multiple options for visitors, with several family-oriented campgrounds situated within a 20-mile radius of town. Brialee Family Campground in Ashford and Charlie Brown Campground in Eastford both offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV sites. Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon and Hopeville Pond State Park Campground in Griswold expand the region's cabin rental options, making the area well-suited for those seeking a balance between shelter and outdoor experiences. The region includes a mix of private campgrounds and state park facilities with varying cabin amenities and access to water features.

Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically opening in April or May and closing between October and December. "There are not many campgrounds open that early here in CT," noted one visitor who stayed during spring break. Weather considerations affect planning with some facilities limiting operations during colder months. Sites at private campgrounds like Brialee, Charlie Brown, and Wilderness Lake Park require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months when families with children visit most frequently. Most cabin facilities include basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to shared bathrooms and showers. Both state parks and private operations maintain different reservation policies, with state parks generally offering more economical rates but fewer cabin amenities.

Cabin sites near water receive particular attention from visitors, with several campgrounds positioned along rivers or ponds. At Peppertree Camping, one camper remarked, "It's situated on the Nachaug River, so it's a popular fishing site; we had more fun tubing down the river." Nickerson Park Family Campground similarly offers river access that parents appreciate for children's recreation. Cabins at these locations often feature electricity and basic furnishings, though amenities vary significantly between rustic state park accommodations and more developed private campground cabins. Family-friendly activities remain central to most properties, with multiple reviews highlighting organized events, playgrounds, swimming areas, and recreation halls at properties like Brialee Family Campground. While cabins provide shelter from Connecticut's variable weather, they also allow visitors to experience the outdoors without investing in camping equipment.

Best Camping Sites Near Mansfield Center, Connecticut (145)

    1. Brialee Family Campground

    14 Reviews
    Ashford, CT
    9 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."

    2. Wilderness Lake Park

    14 Reviews
    Willington, CT
    12 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."

    3. Waters Edge Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Amston, CT
    10 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. Odetah Camping Resort

    13 Reviews
    Bozrah, CT
    14 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."

    5. Charlie Brown Campground

    8 Reviews
    Eastford, CT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 974-0142

    "Surrounded by the Natchaug forest, and adjacent to the Natchaug River. Great activities for everyone."

    "Activities were still available with social distancing of course due to Covid. Close by was Taylor Brooke Winery which was the perfect place to while away a late summer afternoon."

    6. Salt Rock Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hanover, CT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 822-0884

    $33 - $100 / night

    "we had a group from work head out here. we reserved Coyote Run, and had the field to ourselves, it was a bit of a walk to the shower from there, but we had our own outhouse, bring a light for night time"

    "We took a short walk/hike and were able to make it to a river where we floated in tubes and relaxed for the day. It was a blast and we had a great time."

    7. Nickerson Park Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chaplin, CT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 455-0007

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Staffers and other campers said kids tube down it when it's warmer, then just hop out and walk back through the camp to start over again.  Walmart & Aldi's is 10-15 minutes away."

    8. Hopeville Pond State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Griswold, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 376-2920

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Well this is one of Connecticut's State Parks that offers camping, so we took advantage and made several new friends. We camped, swam, fished, hiked and picnic."

    "General: There are three sections to this campground: five canoe sites; 16 sites including one cabin behind the ranger station and what I would assume is the main section with 61 sites."

    9. Starlit Camping at Atlantic Coast Farms and Estates

    1 Review
    Chaplin, CT
    2 miles
    +1 (978) 701-4423

    $40 - $160 / night

    10. Peppertree Camping

    2 Reviews
    Ashford, CT
    9 miles
    Website

    "It’s a quiet campground, located right on a river. My children spent hours in it playing and fishing. Looking forward to returning."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 145 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Mansfield Center, CT

713 Reviews of 145 Mansfield Center 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!

  • 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.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Giant area to pick a spot!

    So half the camp ground is closed for bathroom renovations but that still left the whole other half open and the whole campground by the water! The showers aren’t good, but that always comes with coin showers and not being able to choose the temperature. Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything. Great location and best park in Rhode Island. Can’t wait to go back and have the bathroom renovations done!

  • S
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    Close to a beach, serenity hiding in city life

    Some areas to hike on a small scale. Nice view of the water. No ocean views. Many unlevel sites. Fairly close together.

  • 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 Mansfield Center

Camping options near Mansfield Center, Connecticut include a mix of state-owned and private facilities within a 25-mile radius. Most campgrounds in northeastern Connecticut operate from mid-April through October, with limited options available during spring break periods. The region's forests and waterways provide opportunities for various outdoor activities, with water access being a defining feature at several properties.

What to do

Kayak or canoe at Wilderness Lake Park: This campground offers free watercraft for guests, making water exploration accessible without bringing your own equipment. "Beautiful views, spacious site and lots to do. They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake," reported one visitor who appreciated the no-cost amenities.

Fish the Natchaug River: The river flows through several campgrounds, creating opportunities for anglers at different skill levels. At Peppertree Camping, "It's situated on the Nachaug River, so it's a popular fishing site," notes one reviewer who visited with their spouse.

Hike nearby trails: The area around Wilderness Lake Park offers hiking options both on and off property. "There was a hiking trail on the property and the host mentioned they were building a Disc Golf course on the property," writes one camper who found the location convenient from I-84.

What campers like

Water recreation options: Many sites provide swimming areas separate from fishing zones. At Odetah Camping Resort, "The lake is great!! The pool area is a little small, but the attraction is the lake. The splash area at the pool is great for little kids," according to a visitor who appreciated the variety of water features.

Natural settings with modern amenities: Campsites balancing nature access with facilities rank highly. One camper at Waters Edge Family Campground noted, "Our water and electric site was surrounded by super tall trees and although the sites were close, it didn't seem crowded."

Responsive staff service: Several campgrounds received positive feedback about their management. At Waters Edge, campers reported "very friendly owners and staff, nice sites and you feel totally relaxed when you stay there."

What you should know

Reservation timing matters: Many campgrounds book quickly, particularly for summer weekends. Charlie Brown Campground attracts groups and fills early, with one reviewer noting, "WE come here every year with our group, RVing Women Northeast Network for our first rally of the season each year for a number of years."

Payment policies vary: Some campgrounds maintain specific payment requirements. At Wilderness Lake Park, one visitor points out, "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared."

Seasonal camper presence: Several properties maintain a mix of transient and seasonal sites. Wilderness Lake Park has "a little swampy lake. Mostly permanent summer residents parked with big rigs and plastic decor," according to one visitor, though they added it was "almost nobody around mid week August."

Tips for camping with families

River tubing access: Families with children appreciate campgrounds with gentle river access for tubing. Peppertree Camping situates campers directly on flowing water: "we had more fun tubing down the river. The area is peaceful and has sites right on the river."

Activities calendars: Brialee Family Campground organizes regular structured activities. "Great variety of activities. Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field," reports one camper with children.

Site selection considerations: For families seeking quiet, request specific areas within campgrounds. At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, "If you are looking for privacy and quiet, I recommend the F Loop. The other loops have sites close together and it is generally quite loud during the day."

Tips from RVers

Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide full hookups. At Charlie Brown Campground, there's "no biggie" about having "grey dump only due to river," with "water, electric, gray water hookup" according to a reviewer who paid $63 for their stay.

Site delivery services: Several campgrounds offer convenience services for RVers. At Nickerson Park Family Campground, "The hosts were very accommodating. We got a nice spot backing up to the river. Very secluded, clean sites."

Utility details: Electric service varies between campgrounds. Some properties like Waters Edge "have very friendly owners and staff, nice sites and you feel totally relaxed when you stay there. Great place to get away!" with water and electric options available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mansfield Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mansfield Center, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 145 campgrounds and RV parks near Mansfield Center, CT and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Mansfield Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mansfield Center, CT is Brialee Family Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mansfield Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Mansfield Center, CT.

What parks are near Mansfield Center, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Mansfield Center, CT that allow camping, notably Westville Lake and Buffumville Lake.