Top Tent Camping near Mystic, CT
Looking for the best Mystic tent camping? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Mystic campgrounds for you and your tent. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Mystic campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Mystic, CT (10)
1. Hammonasset Beach State Park
38 Reviews•71 Photos•288 SavesHammonasset Beach State Park is the largest of Connecticut’s shoreline parks. Two-mile beach, facilities for swimming, camping (third weekend in May to Columbus Day), picnicking, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, hiking and boating; concessions. Nature center and interpretive programs. Bicycle rentals available through Labor Day, rates begin at $10 per hour and range up to $75 per week, with discounts for children. Helmets provided free to use and are mandatory for riders 15 and younger. Note: Lifeguards on duty on Wednesday through Sunday. Pricing: Weekdays: free for CT vehicles; $15/out-of-state $7 after 4:00 pm. Weekends and holidays: free for CT vehicles; $22/out-of-state $7 after 4:00 pm William F. Miller Campground. 558 open sites. Concession, dumping station, bathrooms, showers. Saltwater swimming and fishing. Individual fireplaces not provided. No pets.
- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
$20 - $45 / night
2. East Beach State Beach
2 Reviews•4 Photos•73 SavesAll campers must be self-contained and equipped with 4 wheel drive, campers also must obtain a Barrier Beach Permit prior to their stay. More info by calling (401) 322-8910.
- Reservable
- Trash
- Toilets
3. Gillette Castle State Park
2 Reviews•26 SavesFour public camps along the Connecticut River at Hurd, Gillette Castle, River Highlands and Selden Neck State Parks offer primitive, riverside sites with fireplaces and pit toilets for individuals traveling on the river. Use of river campsites at River Highlands, Hurd and Gillette Castle is restricted to canoers and kayakers only.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
4. Selden Neck State Park Campground
1 Review•10 Photos•11 SavesSelden Neck offers 4 sites: Cedars site - 20 campers Hogback site - 6 campers Springledge site - 8 campers Quarry Knob site - 12 campers
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
$5 / night
5. East Beach State Campground
1 Review•5 SavesSpecialty camping on three (3) miles of undeveloped beach frontage is available at East Beach State Campground, located in Charlestown, Rhode Island. East Beach is one of the least developed of the Rhode Island state beaches, with limited parking and a half dozen changing rooms. This barrier beach and 10 site campground location offers four Clivus Multrum Composting Toilets for restrooms along with 3 miles of undeveloped beach frontage. Parking is very limited and fills up early on sunny summer days. A small portion of the beach is staffed with lifeguards on a seasonal basis. Utilities ARE NOT available at this campground. Special Camping/Vehicle Equipment requirements are required for camping at this location.
All camping units MUST BE self-contained AND equipped with 4-wheel drive. A self-contained unit is defined as “A camping unit which contains permanent holding tanks for potable water, grey water and black water. Bathroom equipment must be permanently affixed to the unit.” Tow trailers or Fifth Wheels are not allowed. All campers MUST obtain a Barrier Beach Permit prior to their stay. Beach Vehicle Permits/Trail passes can be purchased from the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) A beach parking fee will also be required for any vehicle using the East Beach Sand Trail during the summer beach season unless registered for a campsite. Closure of part or all of East Beach Campground may occur during the camping season due to the nesting of a tiny shorebird called the Piping Plover. The Piping Plover is listed as a threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. If a closure should occur, reservations will be cancelled and refunded in full. Registered campers after having checked in to East Beach Campground will be allowed to utilize the Septic Dump Station and Water Filling Station at Burlingame State Campground and/or Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground, one time at no charge. Additional dumping or use of the water filling station will be subject to the Septic Dump Station Pass Fee Must show proof of active and valid reservation. Tent camping is not allowed. Pets are not allowed. Registered campers after having checked in to East Beach Campground will be allowed to utilize the Septic Dump Station and Water Filling Station at Burlingame State Campground and/or Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground, one time at no charge. Additional dumping or use of the water filling station will be subject to the Septic Dump Station Pass FeeAddress: East Beach Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Cabins
- Trash
$28 / night
6. Hidden Lake Farm
1 Review•5 Photos•19 Saves***Very quiet and private in back woods horse pastures on a small farm with free range chickens, a dog, and a couple of horses. Your pets are welcome too! ***
Locally there are state parks with beaches, and state forest for trails & lakes, hiking and biking. Or you can just relax and enjoy the serenity!
*** Each campsite has its own fire-pit and table with chairs. ***
We cannot allow any wood for camp fires to be brought in form the outside for environmental reasons. It can be purchased for $10 per bundle on site or $12 preordered with reservation.
Farm Fresh eggs daily when available for $4.00 per 1/2 dozen. And there are also blocks of ice $5. Garbage removal is available as well $5 per bag provided.
**Other attractions include local farmers markets, Gilette's Castle, and the famous River Ferry crossing the Connecticut River with a vehicle across to East Haddam. *
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$49 / night
Recent Tent Reviews In Mystic
516 Reviews of 10 Mystic Campgrounds
- BBarry S.
Scout
Melville Ponds Campground
Nice and quiet
Good size sites. Trees. Decent WiFi. Clean and quiet. Not much for amenities - no camp store, pool, activities.
Lee D.
Legend
Burlingame State Park Campground
HUGE state park
General: HUGE state park with over 700 sites. It does not fully open for the season until May 1 and when we were there in mid-April, only two sections, Fish Camp and Mills Camp were open. The Ranger station is staffed 24 hours a day, with a ranger on site until 11 pm. You need to show your pass to get inside the gate leading to the campsites. There are no hookups in any site (as far as I could tell). Sites are designated for tents, small trailers, large trailers, and RVs. As with other RI state parks, non-residents pay double the price of residents which kind of ticks me off (I don't mind a nominal upcharge but double is excessive IMO).
Site Quality: The site numbers throughout the park are painted on rocks but the sites themselves are not very clearly defined. There is no designated camping pad. Our site (114) had a water view but was not level. It was large enough for us to park horizontally and make it work for one night. Some sites had excessive roots and also were not level. Some picnic tables have been replaced with new ones, but others badly need it.
Bath/Shower house: The one in Fish Camp was adequate and clean. There is hot water, but you need to run it for a while before you get any. There was no garbage receptacle, and the toilet paper is so thin, that you can see through it. Showers are $.75 to get it started for the first three minutes. After that, the amount per minute increases to $1, $1.25, $1.50, and so forth. Machines take up to 22 quarters. There is a change machine at the Ranger Station. I did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well they work.
Activities/Amenities: There is a camp store that offers wood, ice, coffee, basic groceries, propane, and canoe rentals. It was open with limited hours during our stay. Fishing, boating, swimming - all in season. Even though the park was only about 10% occupied, there was a strong Ranger presence. He circled our small loop three times just before check-out time and wanted to make sure we were leaving not a minute past the designated time.
This was just an overnight stay for us in a convenient location but there is no way I would stay at the height of the season!
- Matt O.Scout
Odetah Camping Resort
Great place
We love camping at Odetah. Clean facilities. Great staff. New pool and hot tub. Will definitely come back
Kathy T.
Traveler
Salt Rock State Park
Clean, but dated facilities
Campground is a bit crowded with sites close together. The facilities were clean but quite old. There are some nice hiking trails along the river.
Jacob D.
Guide
Fishermen's Memorial State Park
Somewhere to stay, not the best
$18/night if you live here, but $36 if from out of state. Large tent campground with lots of spaces, so everyone is in pretty close together. My main concern is there are showers in the bathrooms you can pay for, but ones outside that are free, but cold water and no curtain, so you literally have no privacy.
Accounting-Robert M.Traveler
Strawberry Park
Updates
Updates
Note that some of the photos submitted to this site were taken in areas that were NOT IN the Park. Also the Park is NOT under new ownership.
carol T.Scout
Waters Edge Family Campground
BEWARE WATERS EDGE CAMPGROUNDS THEY WILL KEEP ALL YOUR MONEY
JUNE 30,2024 my husband & I were seasonals at waters edge campground Lebanon Connecticuit gave them a 30 day notice we were leaving this place wasnt for us just awful the owners are just money hungey thieves they told us they were keeping our deposit wich we expected because it says non refundable deposit so okay fine but we paid for the whole season its open april15 to october15 gave a 30 day notice left june 30 they refused to give us back the money for july ,august,september,to october 15 they ket 750 plus 2500 dollars told us were not getting our money back So iam sure they rented the site thats double dipping so fair warning I dont want this to happen to anyone else they will Rob you blind oh and they broke our ice maker when they dewinterized our trailer and never owned up to it came down to my floor in camper soaked with water from my freezer and didnr bother to clean tthe mess and said it must have been broken nefore so they are also dirty liars I didnt want to even give a one star rating but had to put somethin i give the a big fat 0
Matt S.Legend
Mystic KOA
Great campground for coastal CT & RI
We stayed at Mystic KOA in North Stonington, Connecticut, to be tourists in Mystic. Spoiler alert… we had a great stay!
This campground is just 15-minutes from Mystic and about an hour’s drive to Newport, Rhode Island. It’s just a few minutes from I-95 and so close to Mystic Aquarium, downtown Mystic, Mystic Seaport, and all the local spots.
It’s a well-maintained campground with 2 pools(though the larger one was closed for maintenance during our stay), lots of play areas and daily activities for little ones, and a cool“pub truck” for adult drinks. Our site(#408) was about 85’ long with plenty of room for our 45’ motorhome and toad(and then some!). It was level and gravel with a nice fire ring and picnic table. The hookups worked fine with 50-amp electric and decent water pressure. Cable TV had nearly 50-channels, but the wi-fi didn’t quite reach our part of the park.
Due to a family issue, we needed to leave about a day-and-a-half early. We called the office as a courtesy to let them know as we were pulling out and received a partial credit for a night’s stay on our credit card. Didn’t even ask, they just did it. Thanks Mystic KOA!
We’ll definitely be back. This is a great place to stay when visiting the coastal Connecticut/Rhode Island area.
ml Z.ScoutEast Beach State Campground
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- KKristi J.Scout
Burlingame State Park Campground
Pros outweigh the cons
Stayed for a week mid-July; during the week had almost an entire loop to ourselves which was wonderful - it felt like having the entire park to ourselves. Things picked up on Friday/Saturday but overall we lucked out with no neighbors who were disrespectful of the quiet hours (10p - 7a). Bathrooms, dumpsters, and portapotties are plentiful, but not always well maintained. Staff are seen frequently throughout the park and are very willing to be helpful when asked - our site had a few Yellowjacket nests and they took care of them for us almost immediately when asked. It’s worth investigating the various sites ahead of time - there are a number of sections much more likely to be busy than others, and lots of low-lying sites that show signs of easily being washed out in anything more than a moderate rain. With multiple great east coast beaches minutes away (as well as conveniences like fuel/stores) we will definitely be back.
- LLauren H.Traveler
Peppertree Camping
Amazing stay
We had our very first camping experience with our new camper at this campground and it was everything we could have imagined and more. It’s a beautiful campground, the gentleman and his family who own it are sooooo nice and they helped us a lot when it came to learning how to properly use our camper. All the fellow campers that we met were extremely nice. It’s a quiet campground, located right on a river. My children spent hours in it playing and fishing. Looking forward to returning.
- LLEAH R.Scout
Fishermen's Memorial State Park
FEELS LIKE SUMMER
Nothing like coming home to NARRAGANSETT..... BEAUTIFUL, clean campground.... Quiet & peaceful..... Bathrooms are very nice..... Not far from ROGER WHEELER BEACH & SCARBOROUGH BEACH.....Right down the street from great RI food.....
- LLEAH R.Scout
Fort Getty Campground
HEAVEN ON EARTH
Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers....Talk about being right on the water with access to excellent swimming. Such a lovely vantage point with your tent location from the top of FORT GETTY. Who knew??? Mackerel Cove is awesome....beach, beach, beach.... Bathrooms are ok. Such a hidden gem on the wonderful island of Jamestown!!!! Bring your tent....
Laura D.Scout
Brialee Family Campground
Best Camping Experience
This was our families first time staying at Brialee Campground. The cabin was absolutely beautiful and clean. The staff were friendly and helpful. The activities were great and kept my grand children busy. Swimming and the lake were fun. I cannot say enough wonderful things. We had such a great time I booked my reservations for Next July 2025 before I left.
A special thank you to Sherri for the personal tour and showing us the ropes! She is the best.
The D'Avanzo Family
- RRobert M.Scout
Strawberry Park
Large campground with 3 pools, many amenities and scheduled activities
Large campground with 3 pools, many amenities and scheduled activities
Eddy B.Scout
Whispering Pines Campground
Fun for the family
Great privately owned family campground. The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!
AT&T service had only one bar. Couldn’t stream but worked for calls and texts. Campground WiFi was strong but as expected struggled to keep up on this busy 4th of July.
Beth R.LegendMystic KOA
Nice amenities
Pros: 15 minutes from Mystic CT 50 AMP, sewer & water hookup Nice amenities
Cons: Gravel site No shade Tight site & hard to get in/out for big rig
- MMichaelTraveler
Charlie Brown Campground
Riverside Delight!
This was our first time visiting and my entire family enjoyed themselves so much, that we've already reserved a site for a few weeks from now. Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built in entertainment for the kids! The grounds were clean, the playground was nice, and the people were all friendly. We did a late checkout for $5 extra, but the noon checkout and two dump stations would make leaving on time a non-issue as well.
Of note: We camped with friends, who were given a spot next to a large group of people (weekend prior to 4th of July is to be expected). The group were very polite and abided by quiet hours, but they were having fun and a bit loud for my buddy's 2 month of baby. They requested to move sites, and the management was super accommodating and apologetic. Helped him move his site and threw in some firewood for the troubles.
Jason L.Guide
West Thompson Lake Campground
Pleasantly surprised
We had an excellent experience at this camp ground. The Staff and Rangers were polite and welcoming. We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property. Once the boat races finished each day the camp was very quiet and peaceful. Had a great weekend
Mia S.TravelerBurlingame State Park Campground
Enjoyed myself this weekend
We camped here from Friday to Sunday. The staff in the main office was very inviting and friendly, the rangers kept everyone in check . The bathrooms were kept clean, but the showers in the Legiontown area are kinda crappy, it's mainly the shower heads...they feel like bullets hitting you and you can't even adjust the shower head nozzle. The showers are $1.50/8mins I only put $1.00 in for 5 minutes which was more than enough time for me. There's a beautiful lake and you can rent Kayaks or a canoe for the day I believe it was around $45.00. there's a nice general store, an arcade, playground, trails, cabins... And the sites are pretty big. No real big complaints, except that the staties are usually waiting for you to come back from the bars since there's no alcohol allowed on the property. So if you are to drink off the property, make sure you have a Designated Driver. They love handing out DUIs. (I did not have this issue, but my friends did.)
- BBart D.Traveler
Hither Hills State Park Campground
Beachfront camping
I took the train to Montauk on 6/20/24 and got a cab ($20) to the campsite. All sites were reserved, but only 1/3 were being used. I was able to put my name on a waitlist and got a tent lot. They wouldn’t let me register for more than 1 night.
I was in A6, which is against the dunes (which are ~12ft tall), so I could hear the surf, but not see it. There was no one within 2 sites, so it was quiet.
Friday morning, I put my name on the waitlist at 8am, I had to break down my site by 11am, and come back at 1pm to claim a site. I took J10 (which is on a bluff ~20ft above the beach and G, H and I areas). Strangely, I was offered a 2 night stay (Fri&Sat).
Beautiful views of the ocean from my tent and I could still hear the surf. Area J has the best (newest?) facilities (bathrooms, showers, sinks (kitchen and personal)). Drawback is 10 minute walk to the general store/ranger station and 5 minutes to the beach (10 to swimming area).
Almost no cell service! 2 bars was the maximum and finding that was rare. (Not enough service to get an Uber or play Spotify). There is a landline outside at the ranger’s station.
General Store closed at 3pm, but Gurney’s is 1.5 miles down the beach if you want expensive bars and restaurants.
FYI, guarded swimming area is ~100 yards wide and located next to the entrance circle.
Theresa H.TravelerWest Thompson Lake Campground
Great campground
Came for the boat races, very relaxing weekend
Kerry G.ScoutOdetah Camping Resort
“Camp”grounds that discriminates against tent campers
Odetah Camping Resort called us today 24 hours prior to our arrival- after 4 years of camping there- to cancel our site unless we rented an RV and didn’t use tents. We were allowed to book and had the booking for 4 months. I was on the phone with them while I booked for assistance since it’s a group booking for 16. I called later to book a cabana too. They never once said anything. Then they called 24 hours in advance because our reservation said tent and that’s not allowed. Then they charged us a cancellation fee. Even tho they cancelled ON US.
But my favorite part is them saying that the camping industry is moving to no longer allow tents. They think they are*kind* to still allow tents-a handful of sites on a rocky hill that don’t have electricity or water. So those with medical needs cannot use those sites. Those with mobility limitations cannot either.
WHAT?!
Camping= tents. Change your name if you are going to discriminate. Don’t worry tho, you can put on a tent NEXT TO an rv on the sites. You just cant put only a tent.
Their customer service was horrendous. The experience was horrendous. What a shame.
- BBill C.Scout
Fishermen's Memorial State Park
Perfect stay
My wife and I camped last weekend and it was everything we were looking for. Awesome staff, the perfect location, and clean bathrooms. We will definitely be back!
- Theresa H.Traveler
Devils Hopyard State Park
Nice for a small campground
This was our first stay at Devil’s Hopyard campground. We enjoyed our stay and were happy with our site. It was great to hike and see the waterfall.
- DDenis S.Scout
Suffolk County Sears Bellows County Park
Tick Kingdom
This is a nice campground - not crowded and centrally located. However, I cannot walk ANYWHERE without picking up ticks. Even on the large sand paths, going to and from the bathroom I find ticks. It’s amazing!
- MMichaelTraveler
Nickerson Park Family Campground
Quiet and friendly all around.
We visited for a our kids' spring break. Not many campgrounds open that early here in CT. The staff were super pleasant and helpful, and were all working hard the entire time we were there to prep that campground for their official "opening weekend".
The sites were all clean and seemed well spaced. The kids loved the playground, and they were putting a fresh coat of paint on things while we were there. The river that flows the length of the campground seemed clean and awesome. Staffers and other campers said kids tube down it when it's warmer, then just hop out and walk back through the camp to start over again.
Walmart & Aldi's is 10-15 minutes away. Pizza places/breakfast spots in the same area as well. Lots of state land to explore nearby.
Guide to Mystic
Camping near Mystic, Connecticut, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds are just a short drive from the beach. For instance, at Hammonasset State Park Campground, visitors enjoy easy access to the beach without extra fees. One reviewer mentioned, "The beach was popular, and there was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in."
- Visit local attractions: The area is close to attractions like Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. Campers at Mystic KOA appreciate its proximity to these sites, with one guest noting, "It’s just a few minutes from I-95 and so close to Mystic Aquarium."
- Hiking and nature walks: Many campgrounds, like George Washington State Campground, offer beautiful hiking trails. A visitor shared, "The hiking trails and views of the lake were great."
What campers like:
- Clean facilities: Campers often rave about the cleanliness of restrooms and showers. At Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground, one reviewer said, "Bathrooms are very nice," highlighting the well-maintained facilities.
- Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide ample space for tents and RVs. A guest at Normandy Farms Campground mentioned, "The grounds are beautiful, and the sites are level."
- Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Mystic KOA offer daily activities for kids. One family noted, "The entire place is completely geared to families."
What you should know:
- Booking in advance: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A visitor at Hammonasset State Park Campground advised, "If you are looking for a site, it’s best to book far in advance."
- Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during weekends. A camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground mentioned, "Overnight noise was an issue. Lots of cars coming and going."
- Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets on-site. A guest at Massasoit State Park Campground pointed out, "There is no camp store for last-minute necessities."
Tips for camping with families:
- Plan for activities: Look for campgrounds that offer family-friendly amenities. At Normandy Farms Campground, one family shared, "It has so many things for the kids to do."
- Bring outdoor games: Many campers enjoy playing games outside. A visitor at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground noted, "The campground is very close to our home, and we have camped here multiple times."
- Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can save trips to the store. A camper at Wells State Park Campground mentioned, "We had a nice time and got to hike a bit and do some kayaking."
Tips from RVers:
- Check site levels: Some sites may not be level, making it tricky for RVs. A reviewer at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground said, "Our fifth wheel front jacks are on the ground, and two of the four wheels are off the ground."
- Bring leveling blocks: Many RVers recommend bringing extra leveling blocks. A camper at Normandy Farms Campground advised, "Just be prepared and bring plenty of leveling blocks!"
- Book sites with full hookups: Look for campgrounds that offer full hookups for a more comfortable stay. A visitor at George Washington State Campground noted, "Full water and electrical hookup and a very unique and fun play area for kids."
Camping near Mystic, Connecticut, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mystic, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mystic, CT is Hammonasset Beach State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mystic, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Mystic, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.