RV campgrounds near Putnam, Connecticut operate primarily from spring through fall, closing for the winter months between mid-October and April. The region sits within Connecticut's Quiet Corner, characterized by rolling hills and small New England towns at elevations ranging from 400 to 700 feet. Seasonal temperature variations impact campground availability, with spring camping often experiencing nighttime lows in the 40s and daytime highs reaching the 70s by late May.
What to do
Fishing access points: Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts in Barre offers nearby fishing opportunities with adjacent wildlife management areas. "Had we had more time I would have ventured into the adjacent wildlife management areas as well," notes a camper who appreciated the natural surroundings.
Kayaking routes: Water activities near Sun Outdoors Mystic provide paddling options. "One day we launched our kayaks north of the drawbridge in town at the public launch and paddled down to Mystic Seaport which was fun to see the historic boats from the water," shares a camper who explored the area by water.
Historic site visits: Old Sturbridge Village, located near several RV parks, offers living history experiences within a short drive. "Close to Old Sturbridge Village and many cool hikes and MA cities," mentions a reviewer from Thousand Trails Sturbridge who appreciated the convenient location for historical exploration.
What campers like
Concrete pads: Level sites with solid foundations receive consistent praise. At Aces High RV Park, a camper highlighted the "Clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio (I love a clean, level concrete pad!)," noting the attention to detail in site construction.
Water features: Ponds and swimming areas provide recreation options at several campgrounds. "Cool pond for paddle boats and canoeing! Family friendly," writes a reviewer about the water amenities at Thousand Trails Sturbridge, while another camper at Aces High mentions "Beautiful pond and natural setting with lots of ducks, geese, chickens, and wild birds."
Buddy sites: Countryside RV Park in Griswold and Sun Outdoors Mystic offer buddy site configurations for groups camping together. "We camped here with friends and got one of the 'buddy sites' so our patios faced each other. I like this configuration when camping with friends but would not like this site if we did not know our neighbors," explains a camper about the social camping arrangement.
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Reception varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. A camper at Thousand Trails Sturbridge warns, "First main issue was how bad the cell reception is. Normally, I'd say that's a perk for camping but we're full-timers and work on the road so it is important for us."
Electrical system reliability: Some campgrounds experience power issues during peak demand. At Camp Coldbrook, a reviewer cautions, "The electrical system has claimed countless RV components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years."
Management variations: Staff interactions can significantly impact the camping experience. One camper notes about Sun Outdoors Mystic: "Bathrooms were dirty and only cleaned after our 4th day there," while another advises, "Had several campers warn us about the unfriendly management."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly swimming areas: Pets need recreation too, and designated swimming spots help. "There is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!" shares an Aces High visitor who appreciated the pet amenities.
Playground quality assessment: Not all play areas are equal across campgrounds. "The playground was a hit for our kids!" reports a family at Thousand Trails Sturbridge, though at other facilities, reviewers note equipment showing its age.
Swimming pool access: Douglas Forest RV Resort and other parks offer pool facilities with varying availability. "The pool is well-maintained and enjoyable," notes one camper, while others point out that some facilities close pools early or late in the season.
Tips from RVers
Site hookup placement: Location of utilities affects parking and setup. "Sites are set up with the hookups in sensible locations for the pad which was gravel," notes a reviewer at Sun Outdoors Mystic, contrasting with reports from other parks where utility placement creates challenges.
Seasonal site conditions: Many RV parks around Putnam transition from camping to residential settings. At Douglas Forest RV Resort, a camper observed, "This is primarily a seasonal/long-term resident park rather than a traditional camping resort. The site composition includes many permanent residents, which creates more of a residential community feel."
Road conditions: Internal campground roads impact arrival and departure ease. "We observed...many intersections remain challenging for larger trailers due to poor grading," reports one RVer, highlighting the importance of navigating campground infrastructure.
