Rocky Neck State Park Campground and Niantic KOA are two of the top-rated glamping campgrounds within easy reach of Old Saybrook Center, offering canvas accommodations and yurts along Connecticut's coastline. These glamping campsites feature electricity, comfortable bedding, and climate control systems to ensure a pleasant stay regardless of weather conditions. "Charming, full of wonderful amenities and nice extras. Nice staff, fun coin scavenger hunt, great pool, well stocked store, wide sites, lots of grass/trees and space to stretch out," noted one visitor about Niantic KOA. The geodesic domes and safari-style tents provide a distinctive alternative to traditional camping, with private decks overlooking the natural surroundings and convenient access to modern bathhouses with hot showers.
Trails leading directly from the glamping sites connect to Rocky Neck's sandy beaches and scenic coastal overlooks, making water activities easily accessible for guests. The beach area features outdoor showers for rinsing off sand after a day spent swimming or beachcombing along the shore. One camper highlighted, "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." Niantic KOA offers complimentary shuttle service to three local beaches and downtown Niantic, along with family-friendly amenities including mini-golf, a swimming pool, and organized activities like wagon rides and ice cream socials. Most glamping pods and canvas structures are available from May through October, with advance reservations strongly recommended during summer months when these premium accommodations book quickly.
"every campsite has its own fire pit with a grill attachment and a picnic table. 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"
"Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."
from $20 - $70 / night
"This KOA Niantic CT location is about 2 hours from home. It was the perfect place (not far from home) to practice. "
"Nice staff, fun coin scavenger hunt, great pool, well stocked store, wide sites, lots of grass/trees and space to stretch out."
"Decent location, not overrun with seasonal campers. We stayed for 3 nights, kids loved the area and playground. Wi-Fi was not so great unless we paid $6 a day for premium access."
"Facilities are in good shape, friendly staff. Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"
"This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River (major RT 9 highway is on west side)."
"Love the camp ground super kind staff and great room on camp sites"
"Swimming pool, facilities, small lake as well larger lakes in the surrounding area. Great location and campground. Love it."
"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."
"This place has everything from a pool, splash pad, boats, food, ice cream, lots of activities, friendly helpful staff, delivery to your site from the camp store and nice shaded spacious sites"
"Pros: Lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming. It's just minutes to the ocean by car. Hiking and biking for miles.
Camp store - well stocked."
"Things picked up on Friday/Saturday but overall we lucked out with no neighbors who were disrespectful of the quiet hours (10p - 7a)."
from $18 - $50 / night
"The only drawback is the proximity to Interstate 95. You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field."
"The campground staff did a great job managing the Covid regulations… We were able to use the pool, facilities and the store and never felt that we were compromised."
"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."
"staff is very helpful when needed keep food locked up too many skunks!!!"
from $60 - $120 / night
"Big Park 3 minute walk to the Long Island Sound. Have to rent a fire pit, so that is kind of lame. However Big restrooms with free luke warm showers, so that is kind of good."
"Well , one of the best sites , big enough, some have platform, clean bathrooms,many showers ."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $250 / night
TravelerThe campsites were big had no trouble finding it. One of the ranges escorted us to the site. The staff was very nice. The bathrooms were immaculate. I saw it being cleaned twice in 24 hours. It was a little partying going on till about 1 AM, but it wasn’t too bothersome.
LegendThis campground is associated with a large amusement park. We were there in the fall when the amusement park was closed so the campground was not very busy but image it would have a very crowded feel if you were there during the summer. The RV sites are buddy sites which is never our favorite set-up (unless we are traveling with friends). Luckily, there was no one in the site next to us during our stay. The campground is big rig-friendly with roads and sites wide and long enough to accommodate any size RV; however, the road and roundabout you encounter when entering the campground is tight. There was very little traffic when we entered so navigating the entrance booth and roundabout was doable. The RV slots you pull into to check in at registration are far too short to accommodate large RVs with their tow vehicles and we ended up taking up four spaces. The tent sites are set away from the cabins and RV sites. Some are nicely tucked up against the tree line while others are in a grassy area and others are sandy nestled under some scrubby pine trees. One of the problems with the location of the tent sites is that they are far away from the bathrooms. Garbage cans are scattered throughout the campground so you don’t have to walk very far to dump your trash. There is no sewer but the electric (50-amp) worked well. There is cable but the channels were not HD so we switched to our over-the-air antenna and got great HD reception with about 60 channels. There is wifi but we could not get it at our site so we just used our Verizon hotspot (which had great reception). The water pressure is very high so we dialed our regulator back to around 45. Roads and sites are gravel. All the sites are level and have a picnic table and fire pit. We noticed that some of the fire pits needed to be cleaned out because rude campers littered them with water bottles, cans, and other garbage in the fire pits. One of the downsides is the noise from local recycling/transfer station. There is a dump station set to the side as you enter/exit. It was a little tight for us getting our 45’ RV in there but it was doable. There is only one sewer dump so we can image that it can be pretty backed up on Sundays when everybody checks out.
GuideSites are rocky and not the most level. Fairly private. No water elec or sewer @ sites. Water spigot spread throughout the park. 2 nice sewer dumps. 1 in the middle of the park and 1 on your way out. Decent beaches. Pretty nice playground. Horrible arcade. The camp store is awesome. Everything you need. They are doing alot of work updating the park and it shows. New bath houses are really nice. We have gone 3 times this year. Good family campground
TravelerFamilies are all around. Place is clean. Several play areas for children. Office upon 24/7. Also they added an Activity Room for kids. Beach accessible and great views.
ScoutDo not go here! Worst customer service i have ever experienced. I booked online through expedia. Paid in full for a cabin. They took my money no problem. Then emailed me the cabin was not available and to contact them, off site, to get a different camp site. One i didn't want or even ask for. It all sounded sketchy to me so I told them to just refund the money to me and I'll go somewhere else. The person emailing me instead of refunding the money told me to contact the office to get a new site. I responded with I would just like a refund please. They ghosted me. So I call the site to get my money, which is not a small amount remind you close to$500, and the first person I talk to hangs up on me before I can say anything. The second person starts blaming me for booking through expedia and not them. Because there inability to use third party websites is my fault? After all that the apparently only person able to give refunds conveniently isn't there but would call me back. Was told I would definitely get my money back... suprise they never called. Luckily expedia has protection and I can get my money back through them. Save yourself a headache and stay away! If the whole place is run by the people booking I would fear for my children going there
GuideGood family park. Many new amenities. Bathhouse parks. The arcade is horrible. Dumping stations nicely set up. Campsites are ok. Ours was uneven with really large routes.
GuideWe arrived on a Saturday afternoon and they did seem have alot going on. It was Christmas in July. There was a live band and a few food trucks. The campsites are onto of each. Way too close for us. The roads that lead to the sites are way to narrow. I tow a 27ft travel trailer and my tires were off the road on both sides. The campsite itself was nice. No complaints there. Pool was gross. Mini golf was horrible. All the wood was rotted. We won't be back.
TravelerMy kids had a blast. Many activities and plenty to do. Only down side was there being not service, which stinks when you use the app to follow along with activities and updates.
TravelerWe arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
Rocky Neck State Park Campground and Niantic KOA offer tent camping options within a 15-minute drive of Old Saybrook Center, Connecticut. The campgrounds sit along the Long Island Sound coastline where the average summer water temperature reaches 70°F. From primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots, the area provides camping accommodations across all budget ranges with most campgrounds open from May through October.
Beach access: Rocky Neck State Park provides both camping and beach activities in one location. "The beach is a short drive on site and the showers were one site over. I had a great time," notes a camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground. The park has designated swimming areas with outdoor rinse stations available during summer months.
Hiking trails: The wooded surroundings near Riverdale Farm Campsites connect to multiple walking paths. "We did bingo and it was a blast. It was a beautiful day on the beach pond," mentions a visitor at Riverdale Farm Campsites. Most trails remain open year-round, with peak conditions from April through November.
Water activities: Kayaking and fishing opportunities exist throughout the region. "Anyone with kayaks can't easily get to boat launch. It's 4-5 miles by car at 4 mile river boat launch," advises a camper at Rocky Neck. Water craft rentals average $30-50 per day at local outfitters, with fishing licenses required for anglers over 16.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer well-sized camping areas. "Sites are very large and spaced out for privacy. The staff was friendly and helpful," according to a visitor at Niantic KOA. Most sites include a fire ring, picnic table, and parking for one vehicle.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in camper priorities. "Immaculate bathrooms... every night we went to bed tired and looking forward to doing it all again the next day," shares an enthusiast at Odetah Camping Resort. Most campgrounds provide hot showers for registered guests.
Organized activities: Scheduled events keep campers entertained throughout their stay. "Lots to do at the campground especially for kids. Each weekend has a big schedule of events- farmers' market, themed activities and a band," notes a visitor at Odetah Camping Resort. Activities typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day with reduced programming during shoulder seasons.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Old Saybrook require advance booking, especially during peak season. "We had booked a month and we were supposed to be staying right next to family. Due to a problem with the site she moved us clear across the park," explains a camper at Riverdale Farm Campsites. Reservations open 6-9 months in advance for most locations.
Site variations: Not all camping areas offer the same experience or amenities. "Equal mix of RVs big and small as well as many tents. Sites include one paved parking spot (ours was very muddy) a fire pit and a picnic table. No water or electric hookup," details a visitor at Rocky Neck State Park Campground. Site maps and detailed information should be reviewed before booking.
Shower facilities: Bathroom access varies widely between campgrounds. "The skunks are friendly! Great for kids," mentions a camper at Wolf's Den Family Campground. Most campgrounds clean facilities daily, though heavy usage during weekends can impact cleanliness.
Playground access: Multiple kid-friendly areas exist throughout regional campgrounds. "They had great amenities and activities for the kids. Plus a costume contest and tricker treating," shares a visitor at Odetah Camping Resort about their Halloween camping experience. Most playgrounds cater to children ages 2-12.
Wildlife viewing: Natural animal encounters provide educational opportunities. "I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way," reports a camper at Rocky Neck. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing times, with quiet observation essential.
Activity planning: Structured programs help keep younger campers entertained. "They are close to local beaches and hiking trails. Our site was roomy and for the most part all functioned as it was supposed to," notes a long-term visitor at Strawberry Park. Weekend activities typically start around 10am and continue through early evening.
Hookup availability: Service connections vary significantly between campgrounds. "Nice campground in the woods near hadlyme," states a visitor at Wolf's Den Family Campground. Most RV-friendly sites offer 30/50 amp electrical connections with water, though sewer hookups may be limited.
Site leveling: Terrain can present challenges for larger vehicles. "There are only a couple of 'primitive' sites here, and I do not recommend those sites because they are very close to the dumpsters," advises a camper about Mystic KOA. Bringing leveling blocks remains essential for most area campgrounds.
Dump station access: Waste disposal options must be considered for extended stays. "Grey dump at site. Power and water at every site. Very very clean. 50x30 sites common," reports an RVer at Wolf's Den Family Campground. Most facilities provide dumping services either at individual sites or at centralized stations, sometimes for additional fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What glamping options are available in Old Saybrook Center, Connecticut?
The Old Saybrook area offers several glamping options for those seeking an elevated camping experience. Glamp Frogmore provides a unique private glamping experience with large furnished tents including comfortable beds with bamboo linens, a couch, battery-powered lanterns and fans, and games. For those preferring more substantial structures, Mystic KOA offers deluxe cabins that are clean, cute, and fully furnished with linens, cookware, kitchen essentials, and Keurig coffee makers, providing a comfortable base for exploring nearby attractions.
What luxury amenities are included at Old Saybrook Center glamping sites?
Glamping sites near Old Saybrook Center feature impressive luxury amenities that elevate the camping experience. Odetah Camping Resort offers a beautiful pond setting with cabins, fully stocked camp store, bath houses throughout the property, and designated dog swimming areas. Charlie Brown Campground provides pavilions with campfire pits specially designed with roofs that direct smoke upward, creating comfortable gathering spaces. Many sites include full beds with quality linens, private bathrooms, kitchen facilities, electricity, air conditioning/heating, and outdoor living spaces with fire pits and grills.
What is the best season for glamping at Old Saybrook Center?
Late spring through early fall (May-October) offers the ideal glamping season in Old Saybrook Center. Summer provides perfect weather for enjoying the nearby beaches at Rocky Neck State Park Campground, which features convenient amenities like fire pits, grill attachments, and picnic tables at each site. Fall brings spectacular foliage and fewer crowds. Some sites like Burlingame State Park Campground remain open into autumn with reduced services. Winter glamping is limited as many facilities close or operate with restricted amenities during the off-season.
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