Old Saybrook Center is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Old Saybrook Center is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Old Saybrook Center, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"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."
"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"
"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"
"Swimming pool, facilities, small lake as well larger lakes in the surrounding area. Great location and campground. Love it."
$18 / night
"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)."
"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."
$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."
"staff is very helpful when needed keep food locked up too many skunks!!!"
$24 - $250 / 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 ."
RangerDidn’t quite feel like camping, but it was still a lovely weekend away at the Mystic KOA. We decided to head down to check out the aquarium and stayed at a deluxe cabin. It was cute and clean and furnished with linens, cookware, utensils, kitchen essentials, keurig coffee maker/pods, and full-sized fridge. Only complaint was an odd, musty smell we couldn’t quite figure out.
The grounds are large with vast amounts of space. Be forewarned that it’s right off of 95, and the sound definitely carries. Trees are sparse in areas, but the sunsets were a nice trade off. Amenities seemed nice from what we could tell - cool outdoor movie screen, pools and playground, though we certainly didn’t get to enjoy these things in February.
ScoutGlamp Frogmore offers the privacy of camping while offering extras to make a truly unique getaway. The large tent has a couch, an extremely comfortable bed (bamboo linens, pillows, and comforter included), battery powered lanterns, a battery powered fan, and games. The private campsite has a site for an additional pop-up tent (which they will include for a fee), a fire pit (firewood included), a Coleman stove, all cooking utensils, pots and pans, and an outhouse. Take one of the trails and visit the small pond with Adirondack chairs and a horseshoe pit. The site also abuts miles of Audubon trails. Optional extras include dinner in a cast iron pot delivered in the evening, coffee and breakfast delivered in the morning, a pop-up tent, a dog bed, a cooler stocked with ice and a sampling of local beer, or seltzers, or lemonade, s'mores fixings, and homemade chocolate chip cookies upon arrival.
GuideWE come here every year with our group, RVing Women Northeast Network for our first rally of the season each year for a number of years, The reason we come back is the way we are treated, because they have pavilions that have a campfires pit and the roof is made so it takes the smoke straight up out of the pavilion yet is protective of those under the roof from rain etc. VERY enjoyable. We all park around this Pavillon. IT is well kept, kids are entertained by parents and fishing etc. Parties are present but they have quiet hour and it seems to be obeyed.
GuidePros: Helpful staff, morning garbage pickup, excellent laundry facility, plenty of activities and amenities for children. Cons: Wasps!! Wasps everywhere!! We did our best to keep them at bay by lighting some sage but they were persistent. Not much privacy back in the tent/cabin areas, camp sites very close together and people have the ability to stare right into your site.
GuideWonderful weekend visit in the off season. Site was level, pretty spacious and easy to back into. Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid. No sewers sites that I could tell, and water was off because we were a week shy of the season opening. Needed to move to dump station prior to leaving (2 night visit) and had to drive to fill the fresh water tank once while there. Nice neighbors. Dog friendly. People obeyed the quiet hours. I have not one complaint. There were hiking trails and geocaching on site. 4 stars bc no sewer at the campsite and we like full hook ups and honestly I’m guessing this is a county rule but the playgrounds could’ve been open. Outside and socially distanced after dealing with Covid for a whole year and most local parks and playgrounds being open since last May... that was upsetting. All in all we had a great weekend. Close to the LI aquarium as well! Many stores and a golf course near by too!
Scoutevery 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 drive on site and the showers were one site over. I had a great time
TravelerMy 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. At the time there was only one port-a-potty for the tent area we were in and no water source. It’s a dog friendly park which was good for us, our dog could swim in the lake with us. Cute patio overlooking the lake as well with seating. Wood delivery is awesome especially since tent area is a slight distance from office, but that is also a bonus so you’re away from the RV sites. Also price is reasonable for a private campground considering the rates a lot of other places charge.
GuideThe campground is older, and the roads/driveways need work. For those looking for newer facilities, this isn't the place. There are no 50 amp sites. The rec hall and the bath houses are old, but we don't mind the old fashioned spots at times. Reminds me of camping as a kid. There are a lot of activities for the kids and adults. Shuffleboard, bocci ball, fishing, bingo, playground, pit luck dinners, etc. There is wifi available.
There are a lot of seasonal campers which can sometimes feel like you're intruding on their space. There is a page of rules to follow, the seasonals ignore them.
There is no black water hookup, only gray water. You have to have them clean out the black or dump on the way out.
ScoutI 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..
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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