147 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Middle Haddam, Connecticut and surrounding areas provide several camping options within a short drive of the Connecticut River. Developed campgrounds such as Markham Meadows and Wolf's Den Family Campground offer structured camping experiences with amenities for tent and RV campers. The eastern Connecticut region includes state parks like Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground and several private campgrounds that accommodate various camping styles. Cabin rentals are available at several facilities including Wolf's Den, GrandView CampResort & Cottages, and Rocky Neck State Park Campground, providing alternatives to traditional tent camping.
Most campgrounds in the Middle Haddam area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with peak season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Devil's Hopyard State Park operates from April to September, while Markham Meadows welcomes campers from mid-April to mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when availability becomes limited. Water and electric hookups are common at private campgrounds, though state park facilities may offer more primitive options with limited amenities. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region but may be spotty in more remote areas of state parks. A camper noted, "The sites aren't cramped and they are quite sizable. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful."
Family-oriented camping dominates the Middle Haddam region, with many campgrounds featuring recreational amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. Waterfront camping opportunities exist along the Connecticut River and at locations like Waters Edge Family Campground, where boating access adds to the experience. Campers frequently mention the balance of wooded privacy and social atmosphere at local campgrounds. One visitor commented, "Very friendly family owned campground. Spacious sites that are not crammed together. Great trout fishing down the road. Everything you need is on the grounds." State park campgrounds provide a more natural setting with hiking trails and scenic features, while private resorts tend to offer more extensive facilities and planned activities for families with children.
"Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
"I had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River (major RT 9 highway is on west side)."
"Nice camp ground in the woods near hadlyme"
"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."
from $45 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."
"Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"
"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."
"Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"We tent close to the restroom and the pool, which are very clean. We go mid week and the special is pay 2 nights, get third night free."
"It was too close to the road, and they wouldn't let him pull in so we were facing each other even though it would have easily worked out."
from $68 - $72 / night
Check Availability"Machimoodus is one of the newest outposts just outside Boston and NYC. My bf and I went during one of the snowiest weekends all winter, but it was completely worth it!"
ScoutThis campground is wonderful. The playground, the goats, the activities, the craft shed, there is so much to do for kids here. Everyone is so friendly and the campground is very clean. Bathrooms and showers are clean, the snack shack food is really tasty. The peacocks roaming around are the cherry on top. Overall, just a wonderful campground.
Scout⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cedar Valley Heritage Farm has become one of those places that keeps calling me back. The campsites are simple and peaceful, with plenty of room to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy the beauty of the land. Nights are quiet, the stars are bright, and mornings often begin with birdsong and mist hanging over the fields.
What I appreciate most is the feeling of being somewhere real. This isn't a crowded commercial campground—it's a working heritage farm with character, history, and a sense of care. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat, a place to gather around a campfire, or a basecamp for exploring the surrounding area, there's something special here.
The atmosphere encourages you to unplug, breathe deeply, and remember that sometimes the best experiences are the simplest ones. If you enjoy nature, authenticity, and a slower pace, Cedar Valley Heritage Farm is well worth the visit.
Would happily camp here again.
ScoutThis camp is very family and let friendly. From the check-in to check-out everyone was so friendly. We will be back
LegendWe have stayed at this campground many times because we love the towns of Mystic and Stonington. The campground has changed hands many times and it seems things are always different. I’ll start off with the bad. At check-in, we were greeted by one of the rudest people we have encountered in fifteen years of full-time RVing. There is a page of rules but they don’t seem to be enforced– like dogs off leash and no fences at your campsite. There are seasonal campers that are proud to fly political flags but I suppose there are no rules against that. The park is a mix of seasonals (who seem to just come on weekends to party) and transients. There are lots of amenities (which we did not use) but still had to pay the$10/day resort fee which really drives up the cost. This is a Passport America park so we were able to get 50% off on our stay. The laundry was really dirty (including a wet, slippery floor) and very busy since there weren’t that many machines and some were broken.
As for the good. We had a long, level back-in site with lots of room on both sides of us. The grass was lush and nicely mowed (which our dog loved) and we had a nice shade tree. The utilities worked well but were placed at the back of the site and the water was a shared spigot on opposite side. Our water hose was long enough so I didn’t have to add another one to reach the spigot. There are no sewer sites but there are two dump stations available.
There is a hiking trail nearby (Hoffman Evergreen Presreve) that we like to visit and is great for dogs. The campground is very convenient to downtown Mystic, the aquarium, and Mystic Seaport Village. Our GPS routed us through the tiny town of Old Mystic which was really tricky to navigate. If you are in a big-rig, we suggest using the Cow Hill Road exit off I-95 and then HWY184 to the campground.
ScoutIf you stay in the eagles nest and get. Perimeter spot you overlook a lake, it’s nice and quiet. Everyone waves, nice lake to fish on. Front desk/owner? is a sweetheart.
ScoutI was a solo female tent-camper and I stayed at the Austin Hawes campground for 2 nights. I had an excellent experience. The office is open daily from 9-5 and 2 young women were staffing it during my stay. They welcomed me with a smile, answered all my questions and sold me two bundles of firewood for$7 each. I camped in site#22 which overlooked the Farmington River. You could hear the river running by all night long. It was very peaceful. I did not know that this portion of the river offers excellent fly fishing, so it looked like something out of an Orvis Catalog as men(they were all men) in waders with serious fly fishing gear often passed by or were standing in the shallow river doing their thing. It is important to know that BLACK BEARS ran through the campsite at night.(The young women in the office had warned me to be careful with my food, and that bears were often sighted). I am an experienced camper and left no trace of food anywhere near my tent, fire or picnic table. The bears did not bother me. I heard they spooked one family who blew some airhorns, then packed up and left in the middle of the night. There are 2 bathhouses, but one was locked because it is currently under construction. I had no trouble using the 1 that was open for campers. There are 2 female(private) showers, 2 male(private) showers, 2 bathroom sinks and 3 toilets in each house. I had no trouble using them and the facilities were clean. All-in-all, it's a beautiful, but very rustic(no electricity) campsite. I look forward to returning in the future.
RangerWe love Austin Hawes (Also referred to as American Legion). We have been coming here for years, and it is a great spot. Not too far, not too busy, tent sites, trailer sites, and cabins too. It is in a great location with plenty of hiking trails nearby, and lots of options for swimming, fishing, boating, etc.
RangerWe did a family campout here and had several sites together. We camped in our pop up in the field. We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here.
RangerWe stayed at one of the lean-to sites and really enjoyed our time here. We went fishing and explored the area. We hiked to the tri-state marker (CT-MA-RI) on a nearby trail. Plenty to do and see! Bathrooms were cleaner than what we are used to in a state campground.
Camping sites near Middle Haddam, Connecticut are situated in the central Connecticut River Valley region where elevations average 300-500 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F during peak camping months. State parks and private campgrounds in the region operate primarily from April through October with many facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend.
Waterfront activities at Hammonasset State Park Campground: Located about 25 miles south of Middle Haddam, this campground offers beach access within walking distance of campsites. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need. You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center," notes a camper at Hammonasset State Park Campground.
Trout fishing near Devil's Hopyard: The streams and rivers around East Haddam provide excellent fishing opportunities, particularly in spring. "Small campground located in an amazing a beautiful park. Go here every spring for opening day of fishing season and camp the entire weekend," shares a visitor to Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground.
Mini golf and recreation: Many campgrounds in the area offer on-site recreational facilities for days when you don't want to venture far. "Mini golf, pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lots of playgrounds for the kids. Family oriented park. Bingo, board games, and other activities available," explains a camper at Salem Farms Campground.
Quiet wooded sites: The campgrounds near Middle Haddam often feature wooded areas providing natural settings. "The sites aren't cramped and there is plenty of tall trees providing shade throughout most sites. One visitor to Waters Edge Family Campground said, "Most amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us). Very friendly guests and staff! Amazing weekend with lots of fun for the kids and even the dogs!"
Pond and lake access: Several campgrounds offer water features beyond the Connecticut River. "You can fish, kayak or swim if you like. The camp store is adequately supplied and they had just enough activities for the kids to be engaged," mentions a camper at Waters Edge Family Campground.
Proximity to attractions: The central location makes day trips convenient. A camper at Wolf's Den Family Campground shared, "This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River. Nearby attractions are Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera. The campground itself is really nice."
Seasonal operation limitations: Most camping facilities close during winter months. At Markham Meadows near Middle Haddam, the season runs "from mid-April to mid-October" according to their official schedule.
Bathroom and shower availability varies: Facilities differ significantly between state parks and private campgrounds. "Bathhouses and toilets were not as cleaned as I would have liked but passable. Coronavirus social distancing required," noted a visitor to Rocky Neck State Park Campground.
Limited privacy at some sites: Particularly in state parks, sites can be close together. A camper at Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground observed, "Small campground and the sites are close together. No amenities other than porta potty's. The state park is nice but the campground isn't the best."
Beach access considerations: For families wanting water activities, some parks offer better facilities than others. "The beach is a short walk away from the camping site, but the camp sites do fill up FAST over the summer up until school starts back up so if you plan to camp, BOOK AHEAD!" advises a visitor to Rocky Neck State Park Campground.
Planned activities for children: Check campground schedules for organized events. "Great place to hang with friends and family, lots of activities, clean bathrooms," mentions a camper at Riverdale Farm Campsites.
Playground availability: For families with young children, on-site playgrounds provide convenient entertainment. At Waters Edge Family Campground, a visitor noted the "great safe place for kids to play" and that they have an "amazing dog park" that's better than some town playgrounds.
Hookup limitations: Many state parks offer limited or no hookups. An RVer at Rocky Neck State Park Campground pointed out that "sites include one paved parking spot, a fire pit and a picnic table. No water or electric hookup."
Length restrictions on older campgrounds: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. A visitor to Wolf's Den Family Campground advised, "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers."
Full-service options: For those wanting complete hookups, select private campgrounds offer more amenities. At Lake Compounce Campground, about 30 miles west of Middle Haddam, an RVer noted, "Very nice campground. Has electric, water and cable TV connections. Clean bathrooms and nice store."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Middle Haddam, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Middle Haddam, CT is Hammonasset State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 39 reviews.
What parks are near Middle Haddam, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Middle Haddam, CT that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.
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