Best Campgrounds near Monroe, CT

Monroe is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Monroe is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Monroe, CT. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

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Best Camping Sites Near Monroe, Connecticut (82)

    1. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $17 - $50 / night

    "We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. 

    This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "

    "Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."

    3. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."

    "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"

    4. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 245-1817

    $20 - $70 / night

    "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."

    5. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $17 / night

    "When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."

    "We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."

    6. Mountain Lakes Park

    3 Reviews
    North Salem, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7312

    "Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."

    "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."

    7. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    26 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."

    8. Gentiles Campground

    7 Reviews
    Plymouth, CT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8437

    $55 - $150 / night

    "Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."

    "There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"

    9. Black Rock State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Thomaston, CT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8088

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Beautiful state park, very clean .. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers .. stores within a 5 minute drive. Most of the camp ground site are not secluded .."

    "The family next to me offered me dinner one night after I spent the whole day working on my RV. Spanish rice chicken the works the plate could barely hold it all."

    10. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $250 / night

    "The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility.

    There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."

    "However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."

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Recent Reviews near Monroe, CT

451 Reviews of 82 Monroe Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    I mean wow!!

    So much going on! They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT.

    We had tried to get a deluxe location and not completely booked. This is the weekend before Labor Day and they were vanishing point the owner / shuttle driver, John, asked us if we would want to move on Sunday after a bunch of people moved out. And we said absolutely because we're going to be here for 3 more nights.

    And it is huge and amazing! If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • J
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Our go-to spot

    My wife and I love this campground. It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    Great amenities, staff and location

    Charming, full of wonderful amenities and nice extras. Nice staff, fun coin scavenger hunt, great pool, well stocked store, wide sites, lots of grass/trees and space to stretch out. Missing full hook ups but the staff and overall vibe more than make up for it. Community garden was something we hadn’t seen before - super fun.

  • Alicia B.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    River Highlands State Park River Campground

    Beautiful But Beware of Arachnids

    We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river. As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this). Otherwise, it’s a peaceful and scenic spot worth seeing!

  • Brittany V.
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Skyridge Trails Campground

    Fantastic new campground!

    A little over a year old, and they have tons to do! Weekly themed events, spacious sites with fantastic views. The sites are level gravel with full hook ups and include a fire pit and picnic table. Beautiful swimming pond and a serene fishing pond located on site. The outpost has anything you might have forgotten to bring and everyone is ready to make sure you are enjoying your stay!

  • H
    Jun. 28, 2025

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Worst Camp Hosts

    Absolute worst Camp Hosts. They cancel every event they schedule while receiving free beach camping all summer. They’re an embarassment and a constant disappointment for young children. Shame on you and shame on Hammonasset.


Guide to Monroe

Camping near Monroe, CT, offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different tastes.

What to do:

  • Explore the beach: At Hammonasset State Park Campground, you can enjoy the beach and various water activities. One camper mentioned, "The beach was popular, and there was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in."
  • Hiking: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers great hiking trails. A visitor shared, "The brook was great for the kids to explore," making it a perfect spot for family hikes.
  • Fishing and kayaking: At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, you can fish or rent kayaks. One long-time camper said, "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes, and for fishing."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Bear Creek Campground. One review noted, "Friendly staff and really clean bathrooms and shower area."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Many families enjoy the lively environment at Hammonasset State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "This is a fun campground for families. There were kids on bikes, scooters, skateboards, roller blades."
  • Secluded spots: Campers at Clarence Fahnestock State Park appreciate the privacy of some sites. One camper said, "Some sites are grouped in open areas. These lack privacy, but some spots are great."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Campers have noted that some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Kettletown State Park Campground mentioned, "There was a Christian group that preached (screamingly) and played loud music until midnight."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Lake Waramaug State Park Campground pointed out, "The campground store is likely not going to be open, so bring everything you need."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at Riverdale Farm Campsites shared, "I see one other large green tent that looks deserted... I also hear coyotes."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A family at Wildwood State Park Campground enjoyed the beach and nearby farms, saying, "A lot of fishermen. 5-7 minutes by car to the store, gas station, and farms."
  • Choose the right site: Look for spacious sites. A camper at Kettletown State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites were super close together, and the boundary lines were unclear."
  • Bring entertainment: Keep kids entertained with games or crafts. A visitor at Riverdale Farm Campsites noted, "They had great prizes for cheap cost during bingo."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Blydenburgh County Park said, "A few Big Rig spots are available, but this is a Suffolk Co Campground that is not well maintained."
  • Look for amenities: Some campgrounds have limited hookups. A camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "No electric hookup, no sewer hookup."
  • Plan for quiet hours: Respect quiet hours to avoid disturbances. A visitor at Kettletown State Park Campground noted, "There was no management presence around quiet time."

Camping around Monroe, CT, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Monroe?

The Monroe area offers several excellent camping options. Hammonasset State Park Campground stands out with its beautiful Connecticut beach just steps from your campsite, well-maintained facilities, and family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and nearby shops. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is another top choice, known for its excellent trail system, winter sledding opportunities, and spacious areas for group gatherings. Other notable options include Kettletown State Park for river access and hiking trails, Wolf's Den Family Campground with easy access to attractions like Gillette Castle, and Black Rock State Park for its scenic beauty. Most campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities including restrooms, showers, and access to outdoor recreational activities.

What camping is available near Monroe, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Monroe, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 82 campgrounds and RV parks near Monroe, CT and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Monroe, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Monroe, CT is Kettletown State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Monroe, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Monroe, CT.

What parks are near Monroe, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Monroe, CT that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.