RV campgrounds near Old Saybrook Center, Connecticut provide access to southern New England's coastal landscape, with most sites situated within 30 miles of Long Island Sound. The area experiences moderate temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F in summer months, with higher humidity near the shoreline. Seasonal variations affect campground availability, with most parks operating May through October.
What to do
Beach access: Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers campsites a short walk from its sandy beach. "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," notes one visitor.
Marina activities: Waterfront camping at Crocker's Boatyard provides unique harbor views and water access. "We were here on an extremely hot and humid couple days. It was great to have electric and water hookups. Also being able to use their pool with our grandchildren was great," mentions a reviewer who appreciated watching "the goings on at a boat yard."
Local attractions: Historic sites and museums are accessible from most campgrounds. "We took the ferry to Block Island which was also walking distance from the boat yard. Block Island a must see," reports one Crocker's Boatyard guest who also visited Fort Trumbull, noting it was "a very nice place to visit and learn."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Aces High RV Park receives praise for its well-designed layout. "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," one camper explains.
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds maintain clean amenities. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, "The bathrooms in the campground were newer and immaculate. This 'resort' has lots of amenities that would occupy kids time... The mini golf course was actually really nice and not the run-down homemade ones that you usually see at campgrounds," reports one visitor.
Pet accommodations: Several parks offer pet-friendly features. At Aces High, one camper mentioned "a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!" The park also offers "plenty of area to walk" for pets, making it suitable for travelers with animals.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly, particularly at waterfront sites. "The sites are VERY close, but the people are nice and we had a great stay. It is a quick drive to the beach, we loved Westerly & Misquamicut Beaches," notes a camper at Ashaway RV Resort, suggesting early booking for peak seasons.
Site variations: Quality varies significantly between sites at the same campground. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, "Our site was a nice long, level pull-thru. Hook-ups were placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel." The park also offers tent camping options that "have a number of nice sites but do not have hookups but are located near a bathhouse."
Seasonal schedule: Many parks close earlier than advertised during fall. Rocky Neck State Park Campground operates "May 26 to September 29," which means fall travelers need alternative options. Most private campgrounds stay open through mid-October.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Look for campgrounds with maintained swimming facilities. At Countryside RV Park, "Water, electric & sewer sites. Very quite, rules are in-forced. This is camping, if you're looking for entertainment bring your own!"
Playground access: Rocky Neck offers child-friendly amenities beyond camping. "Great facilities. Beautiful beach. Sometimes crowded," warns a visitor, who still considered it "worth it" with a "nice food shack" and being a "great family place."
Recreational options: Sun Outdoors Mystic provides family activities on-site. The facility features "an arcade, theater area" and sites that can accommodate groups. One reviewer noted "You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions," making it convenient for family outings.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Most RV campgrounds near Old Saybrook Center feature prepared sites, though quality varies. At Sun Outdoors Mystic, campers appreciate "Hook-ups placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel. The cable tv worked well and many sites would accommodate satellite users."
Site selection strategy: Choose based on specific needs rather than general location. At Aces High RV Park, one camper paid "$150/night for a 'Premium Waterfront FHU Site' on the lake" and noted it included a "level concrete pad and patio, clean and well-maintained utilities, and beautiful view."
Utility reliability: Electric amperage varies between parks. Crocker's Boatyard offers both 30-amp and 50-amp service, which visitors found reliable even during summer heat. "It was great to have electric and water hookups," mentioned one RVer during "extremely hot and humid" days.
