Camping options near North Haven, Connecticut cluster around a 30-mile radius with several state parks and private campgrounds. The region features a mix of coastal sites along Long Island Sound and inland wooded areas with elevation variations between 40-500 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler 50-70°F temperatures with occasional rain.
What to do
Hiking at Kettletown: The state park offers multiple trails with varying difficulty levels through wooded terrain. "I love kettletown, it's a favorite that is very close to home. It's a small camp ground and it's absolutely beautiful. The bathrooms are always kept clean and stocked and there are a ton of watering spots," notes a visitor to Kettletown State Park Campground.
Water activities: Rocky Neck State Park provides beach access for swimming when conditions permit. As one camper reports, "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."
Ferry to Block Island: Crocker's Boatyard offers convenient access to ferries. A camper shared, "We took the ferry to Block Island which was also walking distance from the boat yard. Block Island a must see. Took the 5 pm ferry back." The unique marina setting provides a different camping experience with boat activity to observe.
Explore Mystic Seaport: Staying at Aces High RV Park puts you near this historic attraction. "20-minutes drive to Mystic and all the touristy stuff to see and do," mentions one reviewer who found the park to be a good base for regional exploration.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campers prefer sites with water views. At Aces High RV Park, reviewers appreciate "both water front back in sites as well as large pull throughs. 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."
Pool facilities: During summer months, pool access becomes a priority. One visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground notes, "They have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'. Kids had a blast!"
Clean, updated facilities: Campers consistently mention facility quality. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, a recent visitor observed, "The grounds are clean and well maintained, the bathrooms and showers are spotless and newly painted. Our site didn't have sewer, but the electric and water were working fine. We saw maintenance people making repairs while we were there."
Proximity to attractions: Location relative to regional points of interest matters to many campers. One visitor to Crocker's Boatyard appreciated that "Fort Trumbull is also walking distance away. Very nice place to visit and learn. Also took a tour of the Coast Guard Ship at Fort Trumbull."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Rocky Neck State Park Campground operates "May 26 to September 29," making advance planning important during peak summer months.
Site configurations: Pay attention to site layouts when booking. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, a camper noted, "We camped here with friends and got one of the 'buddy sites' so our patios faced each other. I like this configuration when camping with friends but would not like this site if we did not know our neighbors."
Noise levels: Campgrounds vary significantly in noise. Salem Farms Campground received this observation: "We stayed for 4 nights during the week, and it was the quietest campground we've ever stayed in. We were told by a seasonal that its a whole different story on the weekend."
Water quality monitoring: Beach access can vary based on water testing. One Rocky Neck camper shared, "The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails." However, another visitor noted, "when swimming is allowed, there isnt a lifeguard."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for places with structured programs. "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides," suggests a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground.
Consider site location: Proximity to facilities matters with children. A camper at Salem Farms Campground shared: "We went tent camping with 3 other families. Loved the tent area and how close it was for the kids to use the pool and facilities. Everything was clean and well kept. We felt safe allowing the kids to go ride bikes and go mini golfing."
Look for recreation variety: Multiple activity options help keep children engaged. One Lake Compounce Campground visitor mentioned, "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park."
Prepare for weather fluctuations: Connecticut weather can change quickly. A Rocky Neck State Park camper advises, "The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails," making it easy to pivot between activities based on conditions.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: RV parks near North Haven, Connecticut offer varying utility connections. A visitor to Lake Compounce Campground noted, "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor. It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
Site material and levelness: Surface conditions impact setup ease. At Aces High RV Park, "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it," providing stable parking surfaces for larger vehicles.
Tree clearance: Overhead obstacles can be problematic for taller RVs. One Salem Farms camper observed, "The owner keeps them trimmed to not interfere when parking on your site," indicating management attention to RV clearance needs.
Site width and arrangement: Spacing between units varies significantly. Sun Outdoors Mystic features different configurations, as one camper explained: "Our site was a nice long, level pull-thru. Hook-ups were placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel. The cable tv worked well and many sites would accommodate satellite users."
