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Best Tent Camping near Meriden, CT

503 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites near Meriden, Connecticut include several options spread across the central Connecticut landscape. Hidden Lake Farm provides primitive tent camping with 5 designated sites about 15 miles south of Meriden. Other options include River Highlands State Park River Campground on the banks of the Connecticut River and Chapman Pond Preserve, offering a more secluded tent camping experience with hike-in access. Most sites are positioned within forested state parks or conservation lands within a 25-mile radius of Meriden.

The terrain at most tent campgrounds features forest floor with minimal site preparation. Tent pads vary from natural ground to occasional platforms, as seen at Chapman Pond Preserve where "good tent platforms" are available according to visitor feedback. Most locations permit fires in designated rings, though firewood availability varies significantly by location. Hidden Lake Farm provides drinking water, showers, and toilets, making it suitable for those seeking minimal amenities, while more primitive options like Chapman Pond and Onion Mountain Park require campers to pack in all water and supplies. Seasonal limitations apply, with most sites offering best conditions from late spring through early fall.

Areas with walk-in tent access typically offer greater seclusion than drive-in campgrounds. Chapman Pond Preserve and portions of Gillette Castle State Park Campground provide hike-in tent camping options away from vehicle noise. Selden Neck State Park Campground offers a unique boat-in experience for tent campers on an island in the Connecticut River, with one visitor noting, "It's about a 20 minute paddle across the river to the island. Once you get to the island, follow the bank north until you spot the sign for your campsite." Sites typically include picnic tables and fire pits, with some offering private outhouses. Several locations feature nearby hiking trails, swimming opportunities, and fishing access, particularly along the Connecticut River corridor.

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Best Tent Sites Near Meriden, Connecticut (15)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Meriden, CT

23 Photos of 15 Meriden Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Meriden, CT

503 Reviews of 15 Meriden Campgrounds

  • Nicole G.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tolland State Forest Campground

    Great Lakeside Campground

    This was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.

    The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.

  • John D.
    May. 3, 2015

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Great park in a great location

    I have been camping at Rocky Neck State Park for decades, both tent camping, and now In a 30' camper. Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads. If you can, stay away from the front gates during the typical peak arrival / departure times. Traffic jams occur, partly because you're also in-line with the car loads of beach goers. The beach and beach parking lots fill to capacity. Week ends are the worst.

    The campgrounds are located within internal loops. Most sites are quite level. Park-like settings surrounding a large lawn. Bathhouses are being rehabbed, deemed adequate; can be seedy towards the end of the season. Park is routinely patrolled by State Conservation Officers who will put you out if needed. CT State Police and local officers also patrol. Camp roads are paved, and lots and lots of kids spend time riding bikes, coloring with chalk, skateboarding, roller blading.

    No electrical hook-ups; potable water spigots located within the camping circles. Generators allowed, but there are quiet hours. Dump upon exit; its up top by the entrance booths.

    There is a "tent-only area" which is nice and abuts a paved road for campers to walk / bike to the beach. Use this. Stay off the main road to the beach if you can. The speed limit is enforced, but sporadically. The fines are very stiff (you receive a State traffic ticket from the Officer).

    This beach road leads you to a wonderful overlook where lots of people take their kids crabbing for Blueshells. There are size regulations so be careful. The regs are posted. Bring some raw chicken wings and kite string and have some fun. You can also follow the signs that will lead you to nature walks. Amazing.

    During inclement weather some campers leave the park. We always recommend taking a right out of the park onto east bound Route 156. Follow into downtown Niantic for restaurants, an Irish pub, or a movie. Nice village area, and pedestrian friendly.

    Rocky Neck is a very nice park, and if I had to list one complaint, it is that the State is in a financial tight-spot, and has been cutting services and personnel. Entrance booths go unmanned and that leads to traffic jams that extend out and onto the main road. Very , very messy. Life guard towers at the beach are empty at times. Bath houses can be filthy.

    All things considered, I would recommend this park..

  • Ryan A.
    May. 21, 2024

    Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    Good Location for Hiking, Lots of Garbage, Not Recommended

    Camped here on a Friday night in Site 16, yet another campground recommended in“Best Tent Camping: New England.” Overall I was not impressed. The campsites are right next to each other and are marked with posts. The sites are so close that the posts are marked with the site number on both sides which tells me that there has been confusion in the past.

    The sites along the creek mostly have worn paths to walk to it but it’s nothing impressive and I wouldn’t want to eat fish that came out of it. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, some have the kind where the top flips over and others have the moveable grate that goes up and down. There is a large dumpster in the campground and several porta-potties. The old outhouses have been permanently closed and locked shut. My campsite had a lot of trash in it, old tent stakes, plastic bottle caps, plastic fork, broken glass, etc. Not good.

    Some of the people there were camping in a group and were blasting music. I didn’t see a single park ranger the entire night so I’m not sure how often they police it. Someone in a pickup truck came into the campground, did a u-turn, and sped out at 30 mph which was really annoying and unsafe.

    Across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls, which will take less than 10 minutes to hike to, but it’s a pretty waterfall despite all the foam and garbage around it.

    This is a pretty basic campground and is nothing special. Out of all the sites I think 22 looked the best, it is more isolated and you can hear the waterfalls from it, which would be relaxing. The downside is that it’s right next to the entrance and road so you’ll get car headlights at night.

    I woke in the morning to a gray sky and hundreds of birds singing– it was my favorite part of the trip. I delayed getting up to enjoy the moment. I also didn’t see any ticks but I’m sure there are plenty based on other reviews.

    I’ve always thought that if states were condiments Connecticut would be mayonnaise– relatively unremarkable and bland. This campground fits that description perfectly.

  • Katherine P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park

    A Cozy Spot

    We stayed here in August 2020.

    This is a really interesting campground that's situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park.  Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope.)

    There's space near the platform that is flat-ish with a picnic and a fire pit.  Some of these are better than others, ours was not that flat, but we made it work. You get a pretty decent view of Rudd Pond, and the sunsets are pretty. There is also a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park. There's a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals.

    The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors. It was close to half full when we were there, and it still felt like a fairly noisy campground, even after quiet hours. 

    My one complaint in these covid times is that compared to the NY-DEC campground we stayed at, I felt that the safety measures were less adhered to here. They had signs asking people to wear masks in the bathroom building, but far fewer people were. I also didn't see the staff do any cleaning of the restrooms while we were there - the paper towels ran out at one point and I had to flag the staff down to get them to go take care of that.  

    Still, I thought it was a really cute place to stay, and I think we would stay here again.

  • Becca Z.
    Aug. 29, 2020

    White Pines Campsites

    Clean Campsites

    We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site. A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand.

    The picnic table was chained down so there weren’t many options to set up having the fire pit and picnic table where they were.

    Hiking trails were nice, good variety of easier and more difficult terrain.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park

    Basic campground with hiking trails in the area.

    This small state park campground offers basic campsites with running water and showers, open Memorial Day to Columbus Day.  This is NOT Wolf's Den Family Campground in E. Haddam, CT. Also, be aware there are 2 campgrounds at this State Park; the other one, Mashamoquet Brook, does not offer running water/showers, so if you want these amenities, be sure to select a campsite 1-35.

    There's a small playground in the middle of the loop, a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches (download details for offline use a phone connection is spotty), a swimming pond, and a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop that is sometimes open on weekends for tours. It's a nice place to explore and have a picnic. In 2020 with Covid, there were restrictions on visitors to the campground, reservations required, and swimming was not allowed. 

    The parking pads are paved and a few have overhanging branches, but the trees provide  separation and some shade on largely open sites that tend to open up toward the back with open areas for pitching tents. Sites have fire rings with grills and picnic tables. Site 20 is the only one with electric. The ones toward the back of the loop back up toward the woods and give you some more privacy. 

    They don't allow hammocks in the trees or pets. For some reason, silly string also makes the list of prohibitions.

  • Alex S.
    May. 13, 2020

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Best New England beach campground!

    The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground.  The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way. There are several osprey nests too. Many families bring bikes. 

    There are several camping areas at Rocky Neck - I think Crane is the best because it is quiet and the bathrooms are updated. 

    The tent camping area is in a field without much privacy or shade. I recommend setting up your tent at a traditional site.

    The beach is great for relaxing and beach combing. The water is warm and shallow, very calm. No floats or toys are allowed in the water, not sure why. Don't bring your kite either as the Amtrak is next to the beach, it's interesting when it goes by!

    Sometimes generators are an issue, but there are limited hours at which they can run.

    Lots of dumpsters for easy trash disposal. Firewood available for a low price on site, don't bring any outside wood. 

    Campground is not too far from a Walmart if you forget something. There's a gas station close by too for ice.

    This campground books up FAST, I usually book in the wintertime. I stay for a week at a time.

  • G Y.
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    Quiet Rustic Camping

    My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view. Note that we are a Scout family and my husband and son have camped many days well off the grid with only the gear and food in their backpacks. That skews our point of view. 

    First off, Connecticut’s state campgrounds are not KOA’s. 

    Do not expect top of the line activities that private campgrounds have.

    What it does have are clean, large sites that are partially wooded and not out in the open. 

    The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones. 

    This park is remote from all conveniences- pack it in or expect a drive. There have been several times I’ve driven to the Dunkin Donuts miles down the road for coffee but I find using a French press is more convenient. For takeout there’s the White Horse on 202. It’s ranked a top restaurant in the state - the food is good. 

    Never have we had issues with wildlife besides squirrels and ducks. Leave no trace is important - it keeps the unwelcome wildlife out. 

    There have been issues with the bathrooms off and on over the decades. It seems like they’ve finally fixed everything. Our trip of 7/27-28 showed everything was fine.

    The only on-site services are firewood and ice sales. The little food shack is out of business. 

    Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years. Actually we were a bit disappointed because this camp ground is a great place to disconnect and relax. Being forced to put away the devices is heaven in my mind. You can drive about 5+ minutes out and get cell service. Regarding rowdiness, of the 20+ times we’ve camped only twice was it a problem. 

    Also, this place is not glamping. The area is rural, so cows do moo at 6am, and kids are up even earlier. If you like to sleep in skip and rent a B&B. 

    Also if you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road. It’s a day use only park-no camping- but the lake is gorgeous and there are very few people there.

  • Mayra D.
    Mar. 27, 2021

    Cedar Point County Park

    Perfect beach site

    We have gone there a few times. They don’t take reservations but there’s always some sites open. We have walked in and book a site. Twice though in June we had tons of ticks 😬 but overall is a good site! A couple of times we had loud neighbors and it seemed that the ranger was out for lunch so nobody was making sure that quiet hours were enforced.

Guide to Meriden

Tent camping options near Meriden, Connecticut span central CT state parks, local conservation lands, and primitive campsites. Most locations operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with several requiring reservations. Sites range from boat-in island camping on the Connecticut River to forested walk-in spots with varying amenities. Terrain typically features rolling hills with elevations between 100-700 feet throughout the region.

What to do

Kayak to island campsites: Access Selden Neck State Park Campground from the boat launch at Deep River Landing. "It's about a 20 minute paddle across the river to the island. If it's a nice day, you're going to encounter some wake from passing boats so make sure your gear is in waterproof bags," notes Jason S.

Explore extensive trail systems: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers diverse hiking options throughout the year. "I believe there are over 40 miles of trails in this area. Would definitely recommend for those who want to camp near NYC but not drive too far," shares Ethan K.

Overnight hiking trips: For more adventurous campers, some locations offer primitive backcountry experiences. At Onion Mountain Park, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent," advises Nora S.

What campers like

Private camping spots: Campers appreciate locations offering more secluded experiences. At Chapman Pond Preserve, visitors enjoy "Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view," according to Ben L.

Riverside views: The Connecticut River corridor provides scenic waterfront camping. Jackie G. shares her experience at Gillette Castle State Park Campground: "We have camped on the south end of Hurd Park several times via boat access. It is amazing with the views of the CT River and being able to watch the sunrise and sunset."

Quiet woodland settings: Many campers seek peaceful forest environments. Sara R. describes Windmill Hill: "I booked site 5 for the week. Great experience! Quiet woods atmosphere with trails. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean."

What you should know

Limited amenities at many sites: Most tent camping locations near Meriden have minimal facilities. At Onion Mountain Park, "it's not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite," notes Ricky H., but campers should be prepared to carry in supplies.

Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect accessibility. At Selden Neck State Park, one visitor reported, "In the morning, we were completely socked in with fog which would have been an issue if we had to get back early. But it burned off before long."

Wildlife awareness: Natural settings mean encounters with local fauna. At River Highlands State Park River Campground, Alicia B. advises "the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this)."

Tips for camping with families

Consider lean-to options: Some of the best tent camping near Meriden, Connecticut includes sheltered structures. At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience," according to Jeremy S.

Pack all supplies: Most sites require bringing everything you need. Misty V. shares about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation: "Beautiful campsites! Lots of lean-to sites with fireplaces in them... Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available."

Choose appropriate skill levels: Some locations work better for beginners. Marshall S. notes about Onion Mountain Park: "My BSA troop has been going here for years to help new scouts learn to camp. It is a very casual site and good for your first trip, you are close to your car and the road in case you need it."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV access: Most tent camping sites near Meriden don't accommodate larger vehicles. At Sodom Mountain Campground, Brad N. mentions, "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired," but notes it's still a work in progress for RV amenities.

Plan for dirt roads: Access can be challenging for larger vehicles. Brad N. adds about Sodom Mountain Campground, "This campground has improved with the new owners as of 2021... The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. Great Wi-Fi now, store has been redone and grands are much nicer."

Check seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. While Ward Pound Ridge Reservation remains open all year, most tent camping areas near Meriden have limited seasons, typically closing from late fall through early spring due to weather conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Meriden, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Meriden, CT is River Highlands State Park River Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Meriden, CT?

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