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Best Campgrounds near Waterford, CT

624 Reviews

Campgrounds near Waterford, Connecticut provide waterfront access along Long Island Sound while offering multiple accommodation types ranging from tent sites to full-service RV options and cabin rentals. Rocky Neck State Park Campground, located in nearby East Lyme, serves as one of the primary developed campgrounds in the area with both wooded and open field sites. Other options include Crocker's Boatyard in New London, which offers unusual marina camping, and several KOA locations including Niantic KOA and Mystic KOA, all within a 15-mile radius of Waterford proper.

Camping availability in Connecticut's coastal region follows a seasonal pattern, with most facilities operating from late April through October. Rocky Neck State Park typically operates from May 26 to September 29, while private campgrounds like Sun Outdoors Mystic extend slightly longer from April to mid-October. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, though amenities vary significantly between state parks and private facilities. State parks generally offer more basic services without hookups, while private campgrounds provide full RV connections including water, electric, and sewer. "Traffic jams occur, partly because you're also in-line with car loads of beach goers. The beach and beach parking lots fill to capacity. Weekends are the worst," noted one Rocky Neck camper about summer conditions.

Waterfront access represents the defining feature of the camping experience in this coastal Connecticut region. Rocky Neck State Park offers beach access via a tunnel under railroad tracks, providing swimmers and beachgoers with convenient recreation options. Campers consistently mention the ability to enjoy both camping and beach activities as a primary draw. Several visitors highlighted the family-friendly environment, with one noting, "The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails. A great family campsite with easy to get to activities." For those seeking more unique accommodations, Crocker's Boatyard provides an unconventional setting with marina views. According to visitors, "Secure and convenient location. Site can be a bit loud but calms down during the evening. Bathrooms were clean and the pool was amazing."

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Best Camping Sites Near Waterford, Connecticut (118)

    1. Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-1339

    "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."

    2. Crocker's Boatyard

    13 Reviews
    New London, CT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (860) 443-6304

    $50 - $75 / night

    "Which was walking distance from the boat yard. Had a bite to eat at the Blue Duck, it was fine. Saw the show and walk back to the boat yard."

    "Easy access to the boatyard at night; pulled in, picked a spot and all good. Enjoyed the pool.

    Walked to Fort Trumbull.

    Recommend Crockers."

    3. Niantic KOA

    13 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-9308

    "His place in Niantic Connecticut very close to downtown and the beach which they have a shuttle for. The staff is very friendly, courteous and knowledgeable of the area."

    "Close to level parking pad, with table and very nice brick firepit. Sites not too close together. I had woods behind me. I would definitely camp here again."

    4. Mystic KOA

    25 Reviews
    North Stonington, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 599-5101

    "During our stay we enjoyed our campsite as it was close to the pool. The grounds were beautiful to walk on with water nearby and little places to explore."

    "We stayed at Mystic KOA in North Stonington, Connecticut, to be tourists in Mystic. Spoiler alert… we had a great stay! "

    5. Burlingame State Park Campground

    51 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 322-8910

    $18 / night

    "My parents stayed in a bunkhouse and my husband and I stayed on the adjacent site. Bunkhouse is very basic but clean. Sites are well spaced with lots of types to choose from."

    "There's a small beach at the pond, a boat ramp, and proximity to wildlife refuges and the ocean. It's a HUGE campground, with 700 sites and 20 cabins. Canoes are available to rent."

    6. Aces High RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Montville, CT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-8858

    $74 - $80 / night

    "We stayed at Aces High RV Park for a long holiday weekend to visit with our daughter in Connecticut. We paid$150/night for a‘Premium Waterfront FHU Site’ on the lake."

    "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it. It was a quiet area with ponds and creeks and a generally relaxing setting."

    7. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    23 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."

    8. Odetah Camping Resort

    13 Reviews
    Bozrah, CT
    15 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."

    9. Strawberry Park

    13 Reviews
    Griswold, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 886-1944

    $60 - $120 / night

    "It was a bit too cold outside but the pools and hot tubs looked nice. Splash pad was clean and used by kids. Lots of roads to bike on and walk dogs. Live band on Saturday night was nice."

    "It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"

    10. Sun Outdoors Mystic

    6 Reviews
    Mystic, CT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 817-5696

    "This park is in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions."

    "Seaport RV is a great, spacious campground with many amenities and a location close to Mystic."

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Recent Camping Photos near Waterford, CT

196 Photos of 118 Waterford Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Waterford, CT

624 Reviews of 118 Waterford Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Michael
    Sep. 20, 2025

    The Quarry Campground

    The Quarry Campground

    Very quiet. At night all you can hear is the crackling of the campfire.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Fort Getty Campground

    Great Park Just Not for Camping

    Forty Getty Park RV Campground seems like a great location, with a good bit of history and a lot to offer to anyone visiting, which is why I was eager to visit it this past weekend while traveling through the Jamestown area of Rhode Island. I'd still call it a great place to visit, just not the best to attempt to stay at overnight or camp at. That is something else entirely in this case. 

    THE GOOD👍 Again, an absolutely gorgeous location on the shores of Jamestown😍 that being the park, NOT the campgrounds. The campground itself🏕 and particularly the⛺️ tenting section are pretty far removed from any of that and the water itself in reality. 

    THE Bad. In actuality, the campground looks to be a complete afterthought. More like, What should we do with this little grassy area next to the RV park?... oh maybe that can be for tents! Or,. Where the hell are we going to fit some tents⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️around here? Oh, I know, how about over on the hill by the bathrooms?🚻 next to the RV park fencing? Oh yeah, that sounds Perfect👍 

    The Ugly There's no Ugly. The people seem nice, the park is great,t and everyone working there was polite and courteous. It's just a shame they haven't given any real consideration to the camping section or provided a real space for campers to come enough the area. What you're left with is a grassy knoll with a bunch of tent sites tightly clustered together and right next to or on top of the RV park in a way that didn't seem necessary.

  • j
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great!

    Great spot with view of harbor, a pool, bathroom and power if needed. Easy to book, good location- near many places of interest.

  • 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!

Guide to Waterford

Camping near Waterford, Connecticut, 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 plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Visit the Beach: Enjoy the sun and sand at nearby beaches. Campers love the access to Hammonasset State Park Campground, where one reviewer noted, "The beach was popular," making it a great spot for swimming and sunbathing.
  • Explore Nature Trails: Take a hike in the beautiful surroundings. One camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground mentioned, "There are a couple of easy hikes through one of the preserves," perfect for families looking to connect with nature.
  • Fishing and Water Activities: Many campgrounds have ponds or lakes for fishing. A visitor at Wawaloam Campground shared, "The pond for fishing is nice," making it a fun spot for kids and adults alike.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground said, "Bathrooms are very nice," highlighting the importance of cleanliness.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. One camper at Mystic KOA noted, "This is a great place to stay when visiting the coastal Connecticut/Rhode Island area," emphasizing the fun activities available for kids.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having enough room to spread out. A visitor at Riverdale Farm Campsites mentioned, "Sites are very close to one another," but still found the campground enjoyable.

What you should know:

  • Book Early: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A family at Hammonasset State Park Campground advised, "If you are looking for a site it’s best to book far in advance."
  • No Pets Allowed: Some campgrounds have strict pet policies. A camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground pointed out, "NO pets allowed," so plan accordingly if you're traveling with furry friends.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets nearby. One reviewer at Strawberry Park noted, "There is no on-site camp store for last minute necessities," so be sure to bring what you need.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Look for campgrounds with organized activities. A camper at Wawaloam Campground mentioned, "Families laughing & enjoying themselves," which shows the fun atmosphere.
  • Choose the Right Site: Some sites are better for families than others. A visitor at Odetah Camping Resort said, "Some of the non-seasonal sites are very tight," so check the layout before booking.
  • Bring Games and Crafts: Keep kids entertained with games or crafts. A family at Riverdale Farm Campsites enjoyed bingo nights, saying, "They had great prizes for cheap cost."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure your RV site is level. A camper at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground advised, "Some sites are fairly level but not most of them," which is crucial for a comfortable stay.
  • Use Dump Stations: Familiarize yourself with dump station locations. A visitor at Mystic KOA mentioned, "They do have a dump station for a DIY," which can save you time.
  • Plan for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A reviewer at Niantic KOA noted, "Though you’re close to I-95, I could barely hear the traffic," which is a plus for those sensitive to noise.

Camping near Waterford, Connecticut, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent an RV in Waterford, Connecticut for camping?

Yes, you can rent an RV near Waterford for camping adventures. While there aren't rental facilities directly in Waterford, nearby options exist. After securing a rental, consider staying at Mystic KOA in North Stonington, just 15 minutes from Mystic and conveniently located near I-95. Another excellent option is Wolf's Den Family Campground, which is RV-friendly and situated near attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera. Both campgrounds offer amenities that cater well to RV campers.

What campgrounds are available in Waterford, Connecticut?

While Waterford itself has limited campgrounds within its boundaries, the surrounding area offers several excellent options. Hammonasset State Park Campground is a popular choice featuring beautiful Connecticut beach access steps from your campsite, with well-maintained facilities and amenities. Alternatively, Hopeville Pond State Park Campground offers camping with swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. The area also has several private campgrounds within a short drive of Waterford.

Are there tent camping sites available near Waterford?

Yes, there are several excellent tent camping options near Waterford. Wilderness Lake Park offers secluded tent sites in a peaceful setting, with about 40% of their sites dedicated to tent camping. For those who prefer a coastal experience, Rocky Neck State Park Campground is located on Long Island Sound and offers tent sites with nearby bathhouses and restrooms. Both locations provide good accessibility to Waterford while offering different camping experiences.

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