Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options within a natural woodland setting near New London, Connecticut. The campground features water and electric hookups at select sites, modern restrooms with showers, and sanitary dump facilities. Sites include fire pits with grill attachments, though some tent-only sites require carrying gear from parking areas. Temperatures range from 40-80°F during the typical May to September camping season.
What to do
Beach activities: Access Rocky Neck State Park's beach directly from the campground via walking trails. "I've lived in CT all my life but never used the Rocky Neck State Park Campground until now. The campgrounds are named after water fowl: Crane, Egret, Osprey, Heron etc...We stayed in Egret," notes camper Nita D.
Hiking trails: Explore the network of coastal paths at Rocky Neck State Park Campground with routes suitable for all skill levels. "My family has camped at Rocky Neck every year since i was a child. Every site had a central bathhouse and they have a variety of tree covering options for each campers preferences. The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails," shares Mauricio R.
Water recreation: Bring kayaks to explore nearby waterways, though boat access requires planning. "Anyone with kayaks can't easily get to boat launch. It's 4-5 miles by car at 4 mile river boat launch," advises Nita D.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Niantic KOA maintains generous site spacing for a more secluded camping experience. "Sites are very large and spaced out for privacy. The staff was friendly and helpful," reports Matt T. from Niantic KOA.
Outdoor recreation options: Burlingame State Park Campground offers extensive biking and hiking opportunities with over 700 sites spread across a wooded landscape. "Lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming. It's just minutes to the ocean by car. Hiking and biking for miles," explains Jessica A.
Swimming options: Multiple water features provide swimming alternatives beyond ocean beaches. "I love this campsite, I have been going with my friends and family for as long as I can remember. It's right near the beach, and the campsites and bathrooms are always clean," shares Lexi L.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds near New London operate from early May through mid-October, with limited winter availability. "Open 4/24/2020 - 11/8/2020," notes the operating schedule for Niantic KOA.
Beach congestion: Plan early arrival during peak summer months, especially weekends. "Great Beach, but beware, it can be crowded!!!! So get their early if you do go to the beach," advises Michelle D.
Bathroom facilities: Quality and cleanliness vary significantly between campgrounds. At Sunfox Campground, "Bathrooms were small and very hot," reports Darlene, while other reviewers note well-maintained facilities at different campgrounds.
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near New London, Connecticut, several campgrounds offer these accommodations. Niantic KOA features spacious yurts with electric hookups as alternatives to traditional tent or cabin camping.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Strawberry Park offers extensive family programming. "There are lots of things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade. It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well," says Michelle D.
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds have resident wildlife that may visit campsites. "The skunks are friendly! Great for kids!" mentions Jean V., though proper food storage is recommended.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature dedicated children's play areas. "This is a quant campground geared towards families being out together. They have a beautiful pool, playground and a large jumping pillow like a huge trampoline you can't fall off of," describes Tara N. about Sunfox Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking RV sites, consider the campground layout and amenities. At Hidden Acres Campground, "We kind of did a last min trip between 3 family's we all got separate sites scattered along the river it was beautiful," shares Erik M.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers," advises Kevin J.
Utility connections: Verify hookup availability when booking, as options vary significantly. "No hook-ups, lol. This is a con in the heat of the summer if you want/need AC," notes Jessica A. about camping facilities in the region.
