Seasonal camping options near New Haven, Connecticut span from May through October, with most state parks opening Memorial Day weekend and private campgrounds extending into fall. Sites within an hour of the city range from 92 to 135 feet in elevation, offering varied terrain from coastal lowlands to inland forests. Many campgrounds in the region restrict alcohol, require advance reservations, and have specific quiet hours from 10pm to 8am.
What to do
Beach access at Hammonasset State Park: Several beaches feature varying swimming conditions from May through September. "We've read some reviews, but we were surprised how nice this place is... great hiking and bird watching. Friendly staff. Amazing sunset scene," says one visitor who stayed for three nights in mid-August.
Explore local attractions near Lake Compounce Campground: Located about 40 minutes from New Haven, this campground connects to an amusement park. "This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother," notes one camper. The campground offers activities like bingo and cornhole on weekends.
Hiking trails at Kettletown State Park: Multiple trail systems connect through wooded areas with varied difficulty levels. According to one visitor, "Beautiful trails, flat & hilly." Another camper mentioned, "Kettletown has everything you could want in a state park visit... Swimming area, Fishing area, Hiking, Woods, Camping, both primitive and hook up."
What campers like
Wide sites at Riverdale Farm Campsites: These spacious sites accommodate various camping setups. A repeat visitor notes, "We did bingo and it was a blast. It was a beautiful day on the beach pond. They had great prizes for cheap cost. I spent 2 dollars for 10 long rounds of bingo with 4 cards."
Waterfront views at Rocky Neck: The Long Island Sound provides scenic backdrops for camping. "The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails," mentions one long-time visitor. Another camper added, "Anyone with kayaks can't easily get to boat launch. It's 4-5 miles by car at 4 mile river boat launch."
Clean facilities at Wildwood State Park: Located across the Long Island Sound via ferry, this park features modern restrooms and showers. One visitor highlighted, "Among the most modern bathrooms I've seen at a State Park campground." The park enforces quiet time after sunset with a required stargazing permit to access the beach area.
What you should know
Varying site privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. At Kettletown State Park Campground, "Site 32 and the upper loop was not great though. The sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent."
Seasonal restrictions: Most state parks close by early October. Many campgrounds have summer-only regulations, including pet restrictions. One Hammonasset visitor noted, "PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this."
Insect preparation: Wooded areas require bug protection, especially in June and July. A visitor at Kettletown warned, "We were there in early June, and were almost eaten alive by mosquitoes when we ventured into the woods. Take lots of bug spray and wear long sleeves/pants, even in the summer."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated children's programming. At Hammonasset State Park Campground, "We've been going to Hammonasset for years as a large family gathering... Nice thing is it is fairly inexpensive and there's several beaches to choose from."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. At Kettletown, one visitor shared, "The reason why I said place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!"
Safety considerations: Monitor children in busy campgrounds, especially during peak season. "Clean and spacious but very open, being a beach there are a few campers who enjoy staying up quite late and listening to music. I don't mind the noise but the gnats (little black flies) make it nearly impossible to enjoy an evening," notes one Hammonasset camper.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer electric and water but lack sewer connections. At Rocky Neck State Park Campground, sites include "one paved parking spot (ours was very muddy) a fire pit and a picnic table. No water or electric hookup. Wi-fi not available at this campground."
Dump station access: Most state parks have central dump stations rather than sewer hookups. Lake Compounce campers noted, "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
Reservation timing: RV sites with full hookups book months in advance, particularly at coastal parks. A Wildwood visitor advised, "Stayed here for two nights with my popup and was surrounded by large motor homes/RVs. Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site, but this was an expensive place to 'camp'."
