The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near North Haven, CT

475 Reviews

Tent camping options near North Haven, Connecticut include several established campgrounds along the Connecticut River. Hidden Lake Farm offers five tent sites with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and showers, while Chapman Pond Preserve provides a more primitive camping experience with tent platforms and access to the Connecticut River. Gillette Castle State Park Campground and Selden Neck State Park Campground both offer tent camping with boat-in access options.

Most tent sites in the area require reservations, particularly during peak summer months. Campgrounds like Hidden Lake Farm provide amenities such as drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, while more primitive options like Chapman Pond Preserve and Onion Mountain Park have limited facilities. Several campgrounds permit fires with designated fire rings or pits, though campers should verify current fire regulations before arrival. Access varies significantly between locations, with some sites requiring boat access only, such as Selden Neck State Park, while others like Hidden Lake Farm offer drive-in convenience.

The Connecticut River provides a scenic backdrop for many tent camping experiences in the region. Selden Neck State Park Campground offers island camping accessible only by boat, creating a secluded experience. A camper noted that at Selden Neck, "It's about a 20 minute paddle across the river to the island. Once you get to the island, follow the bank north until you spot the sign for your campsite." Chapman Pond Preserve features tent platforms with views of the Connecticut River, making it popular for paddlers. At Onion Mountain Park, tent campers should prepare for a hike to reach the primitive sites, as one review mentioned, "It's up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it's not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."

Map showing campgrounds near North Haven, ConnecticutExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near North Haven, Connecticut (14)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

North Haven Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near North Haven, CT

25 Photos of 14 North Haven Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near North Haven, CT

475 Reviews of 14 North Haven Campgrounds

  • T
    Sep. 5, 2023

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    Good Campsite For Families And Weekend Trips

    I camped here solo on Friday and Saturday over the Labor Day weekend. Overall my experience was positive.

    Camping Sites

    Each camping site has a picnic table and barbeque grill. The sites are designated by printing on the roads and do not have clear boundaries between them. My site had good shade coverage and was free of rocks and other hazards. 

    I had enough space that I didn't feel like I was intruding on my neighbors and vice-versa. That said, there aren't clear paths to the restroom building so it's not uncommon for people to cut through the edges of sites to get there. In my experience I (and others I saw) tried not to go right through the middle people's setups to do so.

    If you're looking for privacy, the sites at the rear seemed to be less-densely packed, even though every site was occupied. Quiet hours are generally adhered to but not enforced - there were some campers that had noise running later.

    Amenities

    The restroom building is in the middle of the campground and was clean and had plenty of stalls.

    Potable water is available at regular intervals, about at the corners of each group of four campsites.

    Cell phone reception is limited - I had data but it was very slow which led to my phone's battery draining quickly.

    Access

    A car is an absolute must for this part - the entrance is directly off of Southern State Parkway with no pedestrian access. Train stations are nearby so you could take the train most of the way and rent a car from there.

  • John D.
    May. 3, 2015

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Great park in a great location

    I have been camping at Rocky Neck State Park for decades, both tent camping, and now In a 30' camper. Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads. If you can, stay away from the front gates during the typical peak arrival / departure times. Traffic jams occur, partly because you're also in-line with the car loads of beach goers. The beach and beach parking lots fill to capacity. Week ends are the worst.

    The campgrounds are located within internal loops. Most sites are quite level. Park-like settings surrounding a large lawn. Bathhouses are being rehabbed, deemed adequate; can be seedy towards the end of the season. Park is routinely patrolled by State Conservation Officers who will put you out if needed. CT State Police and local officers also patrol. Camp roads are paved, and lots and lots of kids spend time riding bikes, coloring with chalk, skateboarding, roller blading.

    No electrical hook-ups; potable water spigots located within the camping circles. Generators allowed, but there are quiet hours. Dump upon exit; its up top by the entrance booths.

    There is a "tent-only area" which is nice and abuts a paved road for campers to walk / bike to the beach. Use this. Stay off the main road to the beach if you can. The speed limit is enforced, but sporadically. The fines are very stiff (you receive a State traffic ticket from the Officer).

    This beach road leads you to a wonderful overlook where lots of people take their kids crabbing for Blueshells. There are size regulations so be careful. The regs are posted. Bring some raw chicken wings and kite string and have some fun. You can also follow the signs that will lead you to nature walks. Amazing.

    During inclement weather some campers leave the park. We always recommend taking a right out of the park onto east bound Route 156. Follow into downtown Niantic for restaurants, an Irish pub, or a movie. Nice village area, and pedestrian friendly.

    Rocky Neck is a very nice park, and if I had to list one complaint, it is that the State is in a financial tight-spot, and has been cutting services and personnel. Entrance booths go unmanned and that leads to traffic jams that extend out and onto the main road. Very , very messy. Life guard towers at the beach are empty at times. Bath houses can be filthy.

    All things considered, I would recommend this park..

  • Ryan A.
    May. 21, 2024

    Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    Good Location for Hiking, Lots of Garbage, Not Recommended

    Camped here on a Friday night in Site 16, yet another campground recommended in“Best Tent Camping: New England.” Overall I was not impressed. The campsites are right next to each other and are marked with posts. The sites are so close that the posts are marked with the site number on both sides which tells me that there has been confusion in the past.

    The sites along the creek mostly have worn paths to walk to it but it’s nothing impressive and I wouldn’t want to eat fish that came out of it. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, some have the kind where the top flips over and others have the moveable grate that goes up and down. There is a large dumpster in the campground and several porta-potties. The old outhouses have been permanently closed and locked shut. My campsite had a lot of trash in it, old tent stakes, plastic bottle caps, plastic fork, broken glass, etc. Not good.

    Some of the people there were camping in a group and were blasting music. I didn’t see a single park ranger the entire night so I’m not sure how often they police it. Someone in a pickup truck came into the campground, did a u-turn, and sped out at 30 mph which was really annoying and unsafe.

    Across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls, which will take less than 10 minutes to hike to, but it’s a pretty waterfall despite all the foam and garbage around it.

    This is a pretty basic campground and is nothing special. Out of all the sites I think 22 looked the best, it is more isolated and you can hear the waterfalls from it, which would be relaxing. The downside is that it’s right next to the entrance and road so you’ll get car headlights at night.

    I woke in the morning to a gray sky and hundreds of birds singing– it was my favorite part of the trip. I delayed getting up to enjoy the moment. I also didn’t see any ticks but I’m sure there are plenty based on other reviews.

    I’ve always thought that if states were condiments Connecticut would be mayonnaise– relatively unremarkable and bland. This campground fits that description perfectly.

  • Becca Z.
    Aug. 29, 2020

    White Pines Campsites

    Clean Campsites

    We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site. A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand.

    The picnic table was chained down so there weren’t many options to set up having the fire pit and picnic table where they were.

    Hiking trails were nice, good variety of easier and more difficult terrain.

  • Ellen C.
    Jul. 15, 2019

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    Like camping in a city park, the beach cottages are the highlight

    My husband and and I camped one night at this newly reopened park over the weekend in Long Island just to check it out and were pretty disappointed by the tent camping area. There are 69 tent/trailer sites(no hook ups). There is no distinguishing separation between each site nor a designated driveway for your car- you merely pull up on the grass. It's basically like camping in your local city park. People park wildly all over the place, which also makes it more difficult to determine which site is which by the number painted on the roadway. Each"site" has a picnic table and an barbecue grate on a post. There is one bath/shower house in the center of all of these sites with no path provided for folks to walk to and fro, so naturally people will walk right through your site randomly rather than around the road. While the bathroom building itself is in decent shape and has a large amount of toilet stalls and about five showers, the condition of women's room was absolutely ghastly inside.

    At some point during the evening, a maintenance worker on a golf cart showed up with a mop and some cleaning supplies and cleaned the men's side of the building. I was so relieved when I saw him, but he seemed to neglect the women's side completely, so I resorted to using the men's facilities all night.

    There are no fire pits on any of the sites, although I learned afterwards that they do allow you to bring your own metal fire pit as long as it is elevated off the ground. There are large dumpsters located throughout the camping area and a large trash bag is provided (if needed) at the camp office when you check in.

    The highlight of Heckscher State Park is the newly constructed heated cottages located on the shore of Nichol's& Great South Bays.. There are currently 11 cottages--- with more under construction. There are cottages suited for two, four, and six people and range in price from$225-$285 per night during off peak seasons and$250- 320 per night during the peak seasons.

    The cottages are fully furnished, with a full kitchen and large bathroom with a walk in shower. The cottages are a short walk from the beach and also include a fire pit with Adirondack chairs and an outdoor shower on the exterior each property. I do not have photos of the inside, but they do have them on the Reserve America website if you are interested.

    While the cottages are lovely and their location is fabulous  they are quite pricey and  no TLC was spent in the$22 tent/rv camping area, other than a new registration office which is not yet completed as of this weekend. I do hope they invest some funding in the primitive area to add fire pits,more water spigots, clearer site markings and for the continued maintenance& upkeep of the bath/shower house.

    * I emailed the parks departement about the issues mentioned above about the camping area and received this reply:

    I am sorry that you are upset with the conditions in our recently opened campgrounds. We have replaced all of the picnic tables. Although, they may look old because they are weathered since these picnic tables were put together during the Winter, however, they are brand new. All of the barbeques are also new and were installed during the Winter. We have changed and modernized the light fixtures and we will be replacing the rusted doors that you mentioned. There are also plans to install a playground within the campground beginning this Fall and we are looking for other improvements and additions to the campgrounds. As you probably noticed there is a new building under construction, at the entrance to the campgrounds, and it will serve as a check-in area, as well as, additional comfort stations, including family restrooms. Your suggestion of fire pits is a good one and the Park Managers will evaluate the feasibility of installing these. Lastly, I have spoken to the Park Manager who will review the cleaning operation to ensure the restrooms are appropriately maintained. I apologize for our employee not cleaning the women's room. Again, I am sorry for your negative experience but we are continuing to make improvements to the campgrounds.

    Sincerely, George Gorman Regional Director New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    I will check back later this year to see if anything was changed and report back.

  • Alex S.
    May. 13, 2020

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Best New England beach campground!

    The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground.  The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way. There are several osprey nests too. Many families bring bikes. 

    There are several camping areas at Rocky Neck - I think Crane is the best because it is quiet and the bathrooms are updated. 

    The tent camping area is in a field without much privacy or shade. I recommend setting up your tent at a traditional site.

    The beach is great for relaxing and beach combing. The water is warm and shallow, very calm. No floats or toys are allowed in the water, not sure why. Don't bring your kite either as the Amtrak is next to the beach, it's interesting when it goes by!

    Sometimes generators are an issue, but there are limited hours at which they can run.

    Lots of dumpsters for easy trash disposal. Firewood available for a low price on site, don't bring any outside wood. 

    Campground is not too far from a Walmart if you forget something. There's a gas station close by too for ice.

    This campground books up FAST, I usually book in the wintertime. I stay for a week at a time.

  • Mayra D.
    Mar. 27, 2021

    Cedar Point County Park

    Perfect beach site

    We have gone there a few times. They don’t take reservations but there’s always some sites open. We have walked in and book a site. Twice though in June we had tons of ticks 😬 but overall is a good site! A couple of times we had loud neighbors and it seemed that the ranger was out for lunch so nobody was making sure that quiet hours were enforced.

  • G Y.
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    Quiet Rustic Camping

    My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view. Note that we are a Scout family and my husband and son have camped many days well off the grid with only the gear and food in their backpacks. That skews our point of view. 

    First off, Connecticut’s state campgrounds are not KOA’s. 

    Do not expect top of the line activities that private campgrounds have.

    What it does have are clean, large sites that are partially wooded and not out in the open. 

    The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones. 

    This park is remote from all conveniences- pack it in or expect a drive. There have been several times I’ve driven to the Dunkin Donuts miles down the road for coffee but I find using a French press is more convenient. For takeout there’s the White Horse on 202. It’s ranked a top restaurant in the state - the food is good. 

    Never have we had issues with wildlife besides squirrels and ducks. Leave no trace is important - it keeps the unwelcome wildlife out. 

    There have been issues with the bathrooms off and on over the decades. It seems like they’ve finally fixed everything. Our trip of 7/27-28 showed everything was fine.

    The only on-site services are firewood and ice sales. The little food shack is out of business. 

    Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years. Actually we were a bit disappointed because this camp ground is a great place to disconnect and relax. Being forced to put away the devices is heaven in my mind. You can drive about 5+ minutes out and get cell service. Regarding rowdiness, of the 20+ times we’ve camped only twice was it a problem. 

    Also, this place is not glamping. The area is rural, so cows do moo at 6am, and kids are up even earlier. If you like to sleep in skip and rent a B&B. 

    Also if you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road. It’s a day use only park-no camping- but the lake is gorgeous and there are very few people there.

  • Bill K.
    Oct. 14, 2018

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Wooded camping near the beach

    Nice CT state park campground with clean well maintained campsites. Mix of open field and well shaded campsites with reasonable space, some sites have decent privacy, most are pretty open. Good access to shared drinking water, restrooms and dishwashing stations. Most sites are mixed use allowing RVs but no hook ups or dump stations available. Bathrooms/showers are ok but could use better cleaning and upkeep. Rocky Neck state park beach is within walking distance if your ambitious otherwise its a 2min drive from camp. We like it here and return often for the opportunity to camp and enjoy beach time during the summer.

Guide to North Haven

Tent camping sites near North Haven, Connecticut cluster along the Connecticut River and surrounding state parks. Campers will find varied terrain including wooded areas, riverfront access points, and several island camping options. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F and mild springs and falls ideal for outdoor recreation. Winter camping requires cold-weather gear as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.

What to do

Paddle the Connecticut River: River Highlands State Park River Campground offers tent campers direct river access for kayaking and canoeing. One camper noted, "Beautiful But Beware of Arachnids...the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."

Explore hiking trails: The region offers numerous trail systems connecting camping areas. At Onion Mountain Park, a camper shared, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night." Some trails feature moderate elevation changes suitable for day hiking.

Historical attractions: Visit nearby Gillette Castle, a unique stone mansion built by actor William Gillette. A visitor mentioned, "Great place for a hike or a picnic. Castle has tours at certain times." The castle sits on a 184-acre estate with scenic river views.

What campers like

Riverside views: Waterfront campsites provide peaceful settings and recreational opportunities. At Chapman Pond Preserve, a camper reported, "Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view. Good site." Many riverside sites offer excellent sunrise and sunset viewing.

Secluded island camping: Selden Neck State Park Campground features boat-in sites on an undeveloped island. A camper explained, "At low tide, a couple of beaches emerge to play on. The sunset view was amazing. There was a little noise at night from boat traffic but it didn't keep us up."

Wooded privacy: Most tent sites offer natural separation from neighboring campers. As one visitor to Windmill Hill - Connecticut White Memorial Campground shared, "I booked site 5 for the week. Great experience! Quiet woods atmosphere with trail's. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean."

What you should know

Access requirements: Several top camping areas require non-standard access. For example, at Onion Mountain Park, a camper clarified, "Other posts claim you can park right the site, but you can not. It's up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it's not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."

Seasonal permits: Some boat launches require permits during peak season. At Selden Neck State Park, a camper advised, "Entering and parking at the boat launch requires a permit Memorial Day to Labor Day."

Limited facilities: Most tent camping sites have basic amenities only. A camper at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation noted, "The sites are much farther away from the comfort stations than most campgrounds we have been to. But there are port-a-potties very close to the sites, which is very important when you have young kids."

Tips for camping with families

Select accessible sites: For those camping with children, choose locations with shorter walks from parking. A reviewer mentioned, "Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all."

Wildlife education opportunities: Many campsites offer nature encounters suitable for children. One camper shared, "The Trailside Nature Museum is also fun for the kids."

Prepare for insects: Summer months bring mosquitoes and other insects to wooded camping areas. A visitor cautioned, "As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this)." Pack appropriate repellent and protective clothing.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: The best tent camping near North Haven, Connecticut doesn't typically accommodate larger RVs. Some sites at Webb Mountain Park can accommodate smaller recreational vehicles, but amenities are minimal with no hookups available.

Consider seasonal timing: Spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures for tent camping when summer humidity subsides. A camper shared, "We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike...There are a lot of bugs so be prepared, and we did put a bear bag about 100 feet away."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping on North Haven Island, Maine?

North Haven Island offers limited tent camping options. The island doesn't have established commercial campgrounds, but primitive camping is available in designated areas. Experienced island campers often seek backcountry-style experiences similar to those at Selden Neck State Park Campground, which is accessible only by boat. For mainland alternatives near ferry routes to North Haven, consider Chapman Pond Preserve, which offers tent platforms with picnic tables and basic facilities. When planning your North Haven camping trip, contact the town office in advance for current regulations and permitted camping areas.

How do I make reservations for tent camping on North Haven?

To reserve tent camping on North Haven Island, contact the North Haven town office directly as there's no centralized online reservation system. Like Watch Hill Fire Island Campground, which requires two-night minimum stays on weekends, North Haven may have specific reservation policies. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months (June-August) when the island sees peak tourism. For camping on private land, you'll need to arrange directly with property owners. Prepare to book several weeks in advance, especially for holiday weekends, as camping spots are limited on the island.

What amenities are available at North Haven tent campgrounds?

Tent camping on North Haven Island offers a rustic experience with minimal amenities. Most camping areas provide basic facilities similar to Onion Mountain Park, focusing on primitive sites rather than developed campgrounds. Expect to find simple composting toilets or pit privies rather than flush toilets or showers. Potable water must typically be brought with you or obtained in town. Some areas may have simple picnic tables or fire rings, though fire restrictions can apply during dry periods. The main village area provides access to a general store for supplies, though selection is limited. Cell service is available in most areas of the island, but can be spotty in more remote camping locations.

Keep Exploring