Camping options around Niantic, Connecticut extend inland from the Long Island Sound shoreline in New London County at elevations generally below 100 feet. The region experiences humid continental climate with moderately cold winters and warm summers. Most campgrounds operate from May through October when average temperatures range between 55-80°F, though several facilities like Aces High RV Park remain open year-round for cold-weather camping.
What to do
Water activities at Rocky Neck State Park: The 710-acre park features a sandy beach with designated swimming areas from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "Beautiful campground right near the beach. Hiking trails along the coast line," notes one visitor. Sites operate seasonally from May through September.
Kayaking at local waterways: Nearby waterways provide paddling opportunities within short driving distance of camping areas. "One day we launched our kayaks north of the drawbridge in town at the public launch and paddled down to Mystic Seaport which was fun to see the historic boats from the water," shares a camper at Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Historic site exploration: Visit Mystic Seaport Museum, a recreated 19th-century village 20 minutes from most campsites. "The location is great to visit the Mystic Seaport museum site," reports a visitor at Sun Outdoors Mystic. "The grounds are clean and well maintained."
Mini-golf and family entertainment: Local attractions include dedicated recreation areas. "Nearby (5min drive) is also a fun looking place for mini golf," mentions a camper staying at Aces High RV Park. The campground itself offers "a clean playground and well maintained pool."
What campers like
Multiple swimming options: Most campgrounds maintain pools for guest use when beach access isn't convenient. "I love that I see the same staff there every year. There are seasonal and weekenders alike... and my husband loves playing volleyball in the adult pool," explains a visitor at Strawberry Park.
Well-spaced sites: Some campgrounds prioritize spacing between campsites. "Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors. Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it," notes one Aces High RV Park camper.
Campground recreation facilities: On-site amenities keep campers engaged during downtime. "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 a visitor at Strawberry Park, which features "6 pools with adult only pool and splash pad for the kiddos."
Waterfront options: Select campgrounds offer premium waterside spots. "We paid $150/night for a 'Premium Waterfront FHU Site' on the lake. A bit pricey, but really nice site including level concrete pad and patio, clean and well-maintained utilities, and beautiful view," shares an Aces High visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. "Fall foliage season fills many parks fast, with most campgrounds in the region operating seasonally from spring through mid-October," with Rocky Neck State Park specifically running "from May 26 to September 29."
Variable site quality within campgrounds: Site conditions can differ significantly at the same facility. "Our site didn't have sewer, but the electric and water were working fine. We saw maintenance people making repairs while we were there," explains a camper at Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Bathroom/shower facilities: Cleanliness varies between parks and during different seasons. "Bathrooms were dirty and only cleaned after our 4th day there," notes one Sun Outdoors Mystic visitor, while at another campground, "the bathrooms and showers are spotless and newly painted."
Traffic and noise considerations: Some locations experience periodic traffic noise. "Heavy traffic on the street but quieted down at night," reports a visitor at Crocker's Boatyard, a unique marina-based camping option in New London.
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly options with dedicated areas: Many campgrounds accommodate pets but have specific restrictions. "Pet friendly with plenty of area to walk... fishing areas for the kids," reports an Aces High visitor. Some parks feature "a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!"
Rainy day activities: Indoor options keep children occupied 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," recalls a Strawberry Park camper, adding "Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna requires proper food storage. "Keep food locked up too many skunks!!!" warns a Strawberry Park visitor, while another camper at Rocky Neck State Park notes "The skunks are friendly! Great for kids!"
Varied site layouts for different needs: Campgrounds offer different configurations based on your setup. "My site was tent only and you couldn't pull your car up to the site so unloading and loading was a hassle. Beach is a short drive on site and the showers were one site over," explains a Rocky Neck State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: RV sites near Niantic, Connecticut range from basic to full-service. "We had a spot right next to the pool and the docks. Very convenient," shares a Crocker's Boatyard visitor. Sites often include "level concrete pad and patio, clean and well-maintained utilities."
Site leveling considerations: Pad conditions affect setup ease. "Site was a nice long, level pull-thru. Hook-ups were placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel," notes a Sun Outdoors Mystic camper.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide full sewer connections. "Two easy dump stations with nice clean area," reports a Strawberry Park visitor, while others like Countryside RV Park provide "Water, electric & sewer sites" together.
Marina-adjacent camping: Unique RV options exist at working boatyards. "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Crockers Boatyard. Very friendly and helpful staff, great location, security gated after hours. Had water and 50 amp hookup," explains a visitor, adding it's "Very convenient to many attractions and restaurants."
