Campgrounds near North Franklin, Connecticut offer a range of camping experiences from state parks to family resorts across eastern Connecticut. The area experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers averaging 80°F and winter temperatures often below freezing. Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winterized facilities during colder months.
What to do
Lake activities: Wilderness Lake Park provides free kayaks and canoes for guest use on their small lake. "We saw kids swimming in it in the morning. There was a hiking trail on the property and the host mentioned they were building a Disc Golf course," notes Robert L.
Hiking opportunities: Rocky Neck State Park offers nature trails along the coastline that connect to the beach area. "My family has camped at Rocky Neck every year since i was a child. The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails," explains Mauricio R.
River recreation: Many campsites at Ross Hill Park border the Quinebaug River, creating opportunities for fishing and paddling. According to Glenn P., "The campground is set on the Q River and if you're lucky enough to see it from your site it's beautiful."
Beach access: Rocky Neck State Park features direct beach access with swimming areas. One visitor advises, "Beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack. Great family place."
What campers like
Extended season offerings: Brialee Family Campground appeals to campers looking for early spring or late fall stays. "This was our families first time staying at Brialee Campground. The cabin was absolutely beautiful and clean. The staff were friendly and helpful," writes Laura D.
Weekend entertainment: Strawberry Park schedules regular activities throughout the week. A visitor shared, "Lots of activities for kids. Camp store sells beer."
Natural settings: Sunfox Campground provides tent sites with a more secluded feel. "There is a beautiful creek that many of the sites border. The new owners have owned it about 7 years and they have really been making it a lovely place," reports Tara N.
Privacy options: For those seeking glamping close to North Franklin, Connecticut without crowds, Sunfox Campground offers quieter tent areas. "My family and I stayed here a few years ago in the tent area. Not all sites are secluded, but we were the only ones so it was nice and private," explains Lilia W.
What you should know
Reservation policies: Most campgrounds near North Franklin require reservations, especially for weekend stays. At Mystic KOA, "We snagged a late reservation over a busy summer weekend so the place was packed. Our site (Q15) was all grass which was fine with us because the grass was nice and thick."
Site variations: Burlingame State Park offers diverse camping environments. "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open, excellent for bikes," reports Andrew P.
Payment methods: Some smaller campgrounds have specific payment requirements. At Wilderness Lake Park, "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared."
Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Rocky Neck State Park, "Bathhouses and toilets were not as cleaned as I would have liked but passable. Coronavirus social distancing required."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Strawberry Park offers indoor options 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. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!" shares Michelle D.
Swimming options: Hidden Acres Campground features both river swimming and pool options. According to Erik M., "We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night."
Camp store conveniences: Odetah Camping Resort offers delivery service for essential items. "Delivery to your site from the camp store and nice shaded spacious sites," notes a visitor.
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. Burlingame State Park visitor Cendy G. reports, "We stayed near the camp store and playground. Lots to do with kids including fishing, game room, and hiking."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Burlingame State Park provides varied options for different preferences. "If you want a good visit do not stay down by the lake!!!" advises David M., suggesting sites further from water may provide a better camping experience.
Hookup availability: Most RV sites near North Franklin offer water and electric hookups, with some providing full sewer connections. "No hook-ups... This is a con in the heat of the summer if you want/need AC," notes a Burlingame visitor about state park camping.
Spacing considerations: Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. At Mystic KOA, "Think of row houses in any city and that's what you get here. Bathrooms were clean, nice pool area and water slide."
Accessibility: Most campgrounds accommodate larger rigs, but access roads may be challenging. As one visitor to Hidden Acres notes, "We kind of did a last min trip between 3 family's we all got separate sites scattered along the river it was beautiful."
