Rocky Neck State Park Campground features 160 campsites organized into four camping loops named after waterfowl. Sites accommodate tents, RVs, and cabins across a mix of sunny and shaded areas with most sites having grassy ground cover. The campground opens seasonally from late May through September with Connecticut residents paying $14 per night while out-of-state visitors incur a $10 surcharge. Sites include one paved parking spot, fire pit with grill attachment, and picnic table, though hookups are limited.
What to do
Waterfall exploration at Devil's Hopyard: Campers staying at Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground can access Chapman Falls with minimal effort. "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," notes Ryan A. The park offers hiking trails along the coast and a stream suitable for cooling off on hot days.
Beach activities at Rocky Neck: A short walk from the campsites brings you to a beach that can fill up quickly during summer months. "The beach is a short drive on site and the showers were one site over. I had a great time," shares Carli V. Beach facilities include a food concession stand with reasonably priced options.
Boating and fishing: Multiple campgrounds offer water access for small watercraft. Odetah Camping Resort provides a lake with good fishing opportunities. "The lake is great!! The pool area is a little small, but the attraction is the lake," explains one camper. Many sites have access to creeks where dogs can swim and cool off during hot weather.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Niantic KOA provides shuttle service to local beaches and downtown areas. "They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT," mentions a reviewer. The campground sits minutes from interstate access while maintaining a natural setting.
Family-friendly amenities: Strawberry Park offers organized activities throughout the day. "Lots of things for kids to do. We watched a magician and played pickle ball on the courts. Kids had fun on the many play grounds," reports Michael C. The recreation staff consistently adjusts schedules during inclement weather to provide indoor alternatives.
Secluded wooded sites: Waters Edge Family Campground offers sites with substantial privacy. "Most amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us). Very friendly guests and staff!" shares Rob L. Many campgrounds in the region maintain wooded buffers between sites despite high occupancy rates.
What you should know
Booking timeframes: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Mystic KOA, "We snagged a late reservation over a busy summer weekend so the place was packed." Making reservations months in advance is recommended for summer weekends.
Site selection matters: Review campground maps carefully before booking. "Our site (Q15) was all grass which was fine with us because the grass was nice and thick. There was no defined pad, instead just hookups to back in next to so you have lots of flexibility as to how you park," explains Nancy W. Sites near recreation areas tend to be noisier but more convenient for families.
Seasonal crowds: State parks can become extremely crowded on weekends and holidays. "Be careful with ticks, there were tons of them under our picnic table and by the campfire," warns a Devil's Hopyard camper. The busiest periods are from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with moderately lower usage in late April, May, and September.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Odetah Camping Resort offers multiple recreational facilities for children. "Great Family Park... This place has everything from a pool, splash pad, boats, food, ice cream, lots of activities, friendly helpful staff," writes Erich P. Sites nearest to playgrounds are ideal for families with young children who need frequent visits.
Swimming options: Most campgrounds near Montville offer pool facilities with varying amenities. "The salt water pool was clean," notes a Waters Edge camper. Rocky Neck provides beach swimming with lifeguards on duty during summer months, while several private campgrounds maintain separate adult and children's pools.
Rainy day activities: Strawberry Park and other dog friendly campgrounds near Montville organize indoor events during inclement weather. "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade," shares a visitor. Facilities commonly include recreation halls with scheduled activities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Aces High RV Park provides full hookup sites with level parking areas. "Clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio. Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should," reports Matt S. Water and electric connections are standard at most campgrounds, though sewer hookups are less common at state parks.
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds accommodate larger rigs but with limited maneuvering room. "Site was wide and allowed me to easily back in. Near perfect level," notes a Strawberry Park visitor. Sites designed for RVs typically provide at least 30-foot length capacity, with premium sites accommodating units up to 45 feet at private campgrounds.