Norwich, Connecticut and surrounding towns offer multiple mixed-use campgrounds with options for tents, RVs, and cabin rentals. Mystic KOA in North Stonington, located about 15 miles south of Norwich, provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins and glamping accommodations with pool access and outdoor activities. Nearby Hopeville Pond State Park Campground in Griswold features waterfront sites with electric hookups and cabin options. The region includes several family-oriented campgrounds like Strawberry Park in Preston and Odetah Camping Resort in Bozrah, both offering full-service amenities including water and electric hookups, swimming areas, and seasonal activities from spring through fall.
Access to campgrounds varies significantly between privately-operated facilities and state park campgrounds. Most privately-owned campgrounds like Mystic KOA and Strawberry Park operate year-round or from April through October, while state parks such as Hopeville Pond and Rocky Neck typically have shorter seasons from late May to early September. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when facilities often reach capacity. Water and electric hookups are standard at most private campgrounds, though state parks may offer more limited services. Cell coverage is generally good throughout the region, especially at campgrounds near Interstate 95 and larger towns. "Mystic KOA is just 15-minutes from Mystic and about an hour's drive to Newport, Rhode Island. It's just a few minutes from I-95 and so close to Mystic Aquarium, downtown Mystic, Mystic Seaport, and all the local spots," noted one camper.
Waterfront camping represents a distinctive feature of the Norwich area, with several campgrounds offering pond or river access. Salt Rock Campground in Baltic provides sites along the Shetucket River, while Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon features pond access for swimming and fishing. Campers consistently mention water activities as highlights of their stays. State park campgrounds tend to offer more natural settings with hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, though they typically have fewer amenities than private facilities. Several visitors note the region's convenient location for exploring coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island attractions. The proximity to historic sites, beaches, and tourist destinations like Mystic makes these campgrounds popular bases for travelers exploring New England. Campers should expect more crowded conditions during summer weekends, particularly at waterfront sites which typically book months in advance.
"Tucked away in the woods I never knew this was there! Beautiful pond and a good mix of seasonal and overnight sites as well as cabins. Plenty of areas to walk our dogs and have them swim."
"Has a nice beach on a pond, a very cool splash pad next to the pool which all looked very clean. There is a snack shack next to the pond with a play scape and horseshoes."
$60 - $120 / night
"It was a bit too cold outside but the pools and hot tubs looked nice. Splash pad was clean and used by kids. Lots of roads to bike on and walk dogs. Live band on Saturday night was nice."
"It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"
"During our stay we enjoyed our campsite as it was close to the pool. The grounds were beautiful to walk on with water nearby and little places to explore."
"We stayed at Mystic KOA in North Stonington, Connecticut, to be tourists in Mystic. Spoiler alert… we had a great stay! "
$17 - $50 / night
"Well this is one of Connecticut's State Parks that offers camping, so we took advantage and made several new friends. We camped, swam, fished, hiked and picnic."
"General: There are three sections to this campground: five canoe sites; 16 sites including one cabin behind the ranger station and what I would assume is the main section with 61 sites."
"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."
"Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."
$18 - $50 / night
"My parents stayed in a bunkhouse and my husband and I stayed on the adjacent site. Bunkhouse is very basic but clean. Sites are well spaced with lots of types to choose from."
"There's a small beach at the pond, a boat ramp, and proximity to wildlife refuges and the ocean. It's a HUGE campground, with 700 sites and 20 cabins. Canoes are available to rent."
$33 - $100 / night
"We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here."
"we had a group from work head out here. we reserved Coyote Run, and had the field to ourselves, it was a bit of a walk to the shower from there, but we had our own outhouse, bring a light for night time"
"Lots of fun at the beach, kayaking on the lake or just hanging at your site. Petting zoo, craft cabin, arcade, bingo and lots more!"
$50 - $75 / night
"Which was walking distance from the boat yard. Had a bite to eat at the Blue Duck, it was fine. Saw the show and walk back to the boat yard."
"Easy access to the boatyard at night; pulled in, picked a spot and all good. Enjoyed the pool.
Walked to Fort Trumbull.
Recommend Crockers."
$45 - $100 / night
"We’ve been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park."
"This is our families favorite camping location. On the pond at Waters Edge. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge."
RangerWe did a family campout here and had several sites together. We camped in our pop up in the field. We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here.
RangerWe stayed at one of the lean-to sites and really enjoyed our time here. We went fishing and explored the area. We hiked to the tri-state marker (CT-MA-RI) on a nearby trail. Plenty to do and see! Bathrooms were cleaner than what we are used to in a state campground.
ScoutCamped early in the season mid week, and it was nice and quiet. The "new" park rangers are take their jobs delightfully serious.
Our site had plenty of sun for solar but in seagull loop there is loads of shade
ScoutCampground was great. Site was in great shape, everything in order. Portapotties were large. The road made the trip horrible for peace and quiet lovers. I knew it was close to the road, but right on top of it AND a heavily traveled route.
ScoutCute Rv park. Very family friendly, the women who at the office are also incredibly nice and helpful! Seems like a lot of people either live full time or come on weekends but we were able to book a spot for a week.
RangerWe love camping here. From the history of the area, to its proximity to the ocean, to the many places to explore, to the nice sites and clean bathrooms! We have been coming here for over a decade and enjoy every trip. We usually grab dinner at George's of Galilee, and have taken the ferry to Block Island as well. There are a bunch of old military defenses from WWII in Narragansett Bay, including one in the campground. We've tent and camper camped, and enjoyed both.
RangerOur first time camping here, we were trying to get a more secluded spot, but the pics on ReserveAmerica were not the greatest gauge of the sites. The sites were OK, some better than others, we didn't have any amenities but there was potable water nearby. There are cabins, which are really just bunkhouses with 2 bunk beds. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Our loop had porta potties nearby, we only saw one real bathroom with flushing toilets and showers. We did go for a nice hike, the North/South Trail goes through the campground and there are many trails in the area as well. We did a 5+ mile loop and got a good sense of what the trails are like. Found some geocaches and our pups got a good workout.
ScoutWe went last week to visit my brother and sister-in-law in the park was clean. Everybody was friendly. The staff was awesome and they even checked on us while we were there to see if we need anything. The neighbors were wonderful definitely will come back.
ScoutPicked up a one way rental RV on the way to Florida. I arrived early afternoon and was met quickly and shown to my spot and helped with all the hookups and “lay of the land” Very easy and helpful.
Camping near Norwich, Connecticut offers a mix of coastal and woodland experiences with seasonal variations that affect site availability. During summer weekends, temperatures average 75-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping brings cooler 45-65°F conditions. Water-based activities dominate the camping scene with several campgrounds providing pond or river access for boating and fishing.
Tubing on rivers: Hidden Acres Campground sits along a river where visitors can enjoy tubing. "We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night. Definitely be sure to grab a snack at the food hit they have," notes Erik M.
Paddling opportunities: Waters Edge Family Campground features a small lake perfect for kayaking. "There's a nice lake to float on, a clean pool to swim in, activities every weekend. I camp here seasonally and love it," says Laura M., highlighting the multiple water recreation options.
Fort exploring: Crocker's Boatyard in New London offers unique urban camping with nearby historical sites. "Walked to Fort Trumbull. Recommend Crockers," writes Steve Z. Another visitor adds, "Sunday we went and visited Fort Trumbull which is also walking distance away. Very nice place to visit and learn. Also took a tour of the Coast Guard Ship at Fort Trumbull."
Hiking trails: Hopeville Pond State Park Campground provides woodland hiking experiences. "This park also has plenty of trails for hiking and geocaching. The pond has some really big fish, but it's heavily covered with lily pads and there are a lot of submerged trees," according to Cynthia K.
Multiple swimming options: Odetah Camping Resort provides diverse water experiences. "The lake is great!! The pool area is a little small, but the attraction is the lake. The splash area at the pool is great for little kids," reports Happy Camper L., who adds, "From a massage at the Spa to a fun band by the lake, to Bingo night, mini-golf and awesome ice cream Sundaes."
Clean, modern facilities: Strawberry Park in Preston offers well-maintained amenities. "Clean, comfortable campground aimed more towards glamping. Lots of rv sites and very nice cabins. Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground," shares Kay B.
Waterfront tent sites: Hopeville Pond State Park Campground features secluded tent-only sites. "The gem is the canoe sites at the north of the campground. These are tent only. You park and walk about 100 yards to the site. There are only four sites in this secluded section of the campground. Sites CN02, CN03 and CN04 have direct waterfront on the pond," explains Jason S.
Pool access: Waters Edge Family Campground combines woodland privacy with pool amenities. "Most amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us). Very friendly guests and staff! Swimming pool, great playground, among lots of trails and wooded area surrounding almost every site," shares Rob L.
Site privacy varies significantly: Privacy levels differ dramatically between campgrounds near Norwich. "We weren't sure what to expect- we picked this campsite last minute because of the location. It's was really nice: our water and electric site was surrounded by super tall trees and although the sites were close, it didn't seem crowded," writes Erin M. about Waters Edge Family Campground.
Late-night noise: Salt Rock Campground has reported noise issues. "If you DON'T enjoy privacy, or peace and quiet, or rules being enforced, such as quiet hours...then you will maybe like it here. My family and I happened to be here on a full vacancy weekend, and it was so loud, we might as well of been at a festival," warns Lilia W.
Reservation timing: Rocky Neck State Park Campground requires advance planning. "This is a great family campground. Lots to do and it is massive! You can bike for ever and go to the lake! Camp store literally has anything you would need. Usually pretty busy, you will have neighbors," advises Madeline H.
Off-season limitations: Campground facilities may be restricted outside summer. "On this stay, we snagged a late reservation over a busy summer weekend so the place was packed. We had a great time," writes Nancy W. about her experience at Mystic KOA, noting the trade-off between availability and crowds.
Look for organized activities: Odetah Camping Resort schedules family events. "We went two years in a row each on Halloween! They had great amenities and activities for the kids. Plus a costume contest and tricker treating. Very enjoyable time," shares Brian P.
Check for dedicated kids' areas: Mystic KOA offers multiple child-friendly features. "This KOA provides a lot to do for kids and families. The pool is small and usually crowded, but still very well kept. And then there's mini golf, hay rides, and lots of fun planned activities," recommends Cynthia K.
Consider beach access: Several campgrounds near Norwich feature swimming areas. "Beautiful campground right near the beach. Hiking trails along the coast line," writes Timothy R. about Rocky Neck State Park Campground. Another camper adds, "Beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack. Great family place."
Seek out biking opportunities: Strawberry Park provides safe biking areas. "The kids ride their bikes to the sports fields, the rec center for the pool and activities. Oh and my young children LOVE the air pillow, they have spent hours on there," shares Ryan C.
Hookup availability: Crocker's Boatyard offers basic RV services in an urban setting. "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," reports Frank I.
Leveling requirements: Salt Rock Campground has site condition issues. "The site was level, it's septic post on the site plugged with cement, its electric box a bit rusty, it's fire ring filled with leaves from last fall," notes Val H., highlighting the maintenance concerns.
Off-hour arrival procedures: Some campgrounds have specific check-in systems. "Very concise directions on how to get into the property after the office is closed. We backed right up to the waters edge practically," shares Peggy L. about Crocker's Boatyard.
Site selection strategy: Mystic KOA requires careful site selection. "If you want to be up near the action—pool, bar car, and other activities—get a site in the front section. We wanted to be as far away from that as possible," advises Nancy W., offering important site selection guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any campgrounds with pools near Norwich, CT?
Mystic KOA offers a well-maintained pool just 15 minutes from Mystic and a short drive from Norwich. The campground has consistently maintained their pool facilities even during pandemic restrictions, with campsites conveniently located near the swimming area. Whispering Pines Campground also features a pool and splash pad, though these amenities may be seasonal, typically opening later in the camping season. For families seeking water recreation beyond pools, Strawberry Park offers extensive aquatic facilities not far from Norwich.
What are the best campgrounds in Norwich, CT for tent camping?
Within a short drive from Norwich, Hopeville Pond State Park Campground offers excellent tent camping with access to swimming, fishing, and hiking trails. The campground is known for its family-friendly atmosphere with chipmunks often visiting sites. For a more secluded tent camping experience, Wilderness Lake Park provides peaceful sites away from the RV areas. Their tent sites are known for being particularly private and well-maintained, making it a hidden gem for tent campers looking to enjoy Connecticut's natural beauty.
Where can I find RV parking in Norwich, CT?
For RV camping near Norwich, Wolf's Den Family Campground is an excellent option located just off Route 9 on the east side of the Connecticut River. This RV-friendly site provides convenient access to attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House. Another solid choice is Salt Rock Campground in Baltic, which accommodates RVs and is known for being big-rig friendly with appropriate hookups. Both locations offer reservable sites, though booking ahead is recommended during peak camping season.
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