Best Tent Camping near Putnam, CT
Are you planning a tent camping trip to Putnam? We've got you covered. Find the best tent camping sites near Putnam. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Putnam, CT (14)
2. Ginny B Camp Grounds
Be the first to review!Foster Center, Rhode Island•2 SavesSwimming Small fry fishing 2 Recreation halls Fireplace & picnic table on each site State tested water Camp store Ice & wood available 8 Modern restrooms with free hot showers Coin operated laundry Pets on leashes are welcome Horseshoe courts Volleyball court Basketball court 2 Softball diamonds Lending library 200 sites with water & electricity Sewer sites available Playground 2 Dumping stations Adjacent to public golf course
- Fires
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- WiFi
$46 - $50 / night
3. East Beach State Beach
Charlestown, Rhode Island2 Reviews•4 Photos•73 SavesSpecialty camping on three (3) miles of undeveloped beach frontage is available at East Beach State Campground, located in Charlestown, Rhode Island. East Beach is one of the least developed of the Rhode Island state beaches, with limited parking and a half dozen changing rooms. This barrier beach and 10 site campground location offers four Clivus Multrum Composting Toilets for restrooms along with 3 miles of undeveloped beach frontage. Parking is very limited and fills up early on sunny summer days. A small portion of the beach is staffed with lifeguards on a seasonal basis. Utilities ARE NOT available at this campground. Special Camping/Vehicle Equipment requirements are required for camping at this location.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
$55 - $65 / night
4. Gillette Castle State Park Campground
Hadlyme, Connecticut2 Reviews•26 SavesFour public camps along the Connecticut River at Hurd, Gillette Castle, River Highlands and Selden Neck State Parks offer primitive, riverside sites with fireplaces and pit toilets for individuals traveling on the river.
Use of river campsites at River Highlands, Hurd and Gillette Castle is restricted to canoers and kayakers only.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
5. Onion Mountain Park
West Simsbury, Connecticut3 Reviews•9 Photos•146 SavesThis town-owned park consists of 190 acres of wooded, rocky mountainside. Trails here are relatively easy on the flat but significantly more difficult on the hillside. The ground can be very wet after rains. Onion Mountain Park is accessed on the west side of West Mountain Rd. just south of Shingle Mill Rd. Visitors will find a good size parking lot.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Alcohol
6. Selden Neck State Park Campground
Hadlyme, Connecticut1 Review•10 Photos•11 SavesSelden Neck offers 4 sites: Cedars site - 20 campers Hogback site - 6 campers Springledge site - 8 campers Quarry Knob site - 12 campers
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
$5 / night
8. Federated Womens Club State Forest
Petersham, Massachusetts1 Review•22 Photos•25 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
9. Hidden Lake Farm
Higganum, Connecticut1 Review•5 Photos•19 Saves***Very quiet and private in back woods horse pastures on a small farm with free range chickens, a dog, and a couple of horses. Your pets are welcome too! ***
Locally there are state parks with beaches, and state forest for trails & lakes, hiking and biking. Or you can just relax and enjoy the serenity!
*** Each campsite has its own fire-pit and table with chairs. ***
We cannot allow any wood for camp fires to be brought in form the outside for environmental reasons. It can be purchased for $10 per bundle on site or $12 preordered with reservation.
Farm Fresh eggs daily when available for $4.00 per 1/2 dozen. And there are also blocks of ice $5. Garbage removal is available as well $5 per bag provided.
**Other attractions include local farmers markets, Gilette's Castle, and the famous River Ferry crossing the Connecticut River with a vehicle across to East Haddam. *
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$49 / night
10. East Beach State Campground
Charlestown, Rhode Island1 Review•5 SavesSpecialty camping on three (3) miles of undeveloped beach frontage is available at East Beach State Campground, located in Charlestown, Rhode Island. East Beach is one of the least developed of the Rhode Island state beaches, with limited parking and a half dozen changing rooms. This barrier beach and 10 site campground location offers four Clivus Multrum Composting Toilets for restrooms along with 3 miles of undeveloped beach frontage. Parking is very limited and fills up early on sunny summer days. A small portion of the beach is staffed with lifeguards on a seasonal basis. Utilities ARE NOT available at this campground. Special Camping/Vehicle Equipment requirements are required for camping at this location.
All camping units MUST BE self-contained AND equipped with 4-wheel drive. A self-contained unit is defined as “A camping unit which contains permanent holding tanks for potable water, grey water and black water. Bathroom equipment must be permanently affixed to the unit.” Tow trailers or Fifth Wheels are not allowed. All campers MUST obtain a Barrier Beach Permit prior to their stay. Beach Vehicle Permits/Trail passes can be purchased from the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) A beach parking fee will also be required for any vehicle using the East Beach Sand Trail during the summer beach season unless registered for a campsite. Closure of part or all of East Beach Campground may occur during the camping season due to the nesting of a tiny shorebird called the Piping Plover. The Piping Plover is listed as a threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. If a closure should occur, reservations will be cancelled and refunded in full. Registered campers after having checked in to East Beach Campground will be allowed to utilize the Septic Dump Station and Water Filling Station at Burlingame State Campground and/or Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground, one time at no charge. Additional dumping or use of the water filling station will be subject to the Septic Dump Station Pass Fee Must show proof of active and valid reservation. Tent camping is not allowed. Pets are not allowed. Registered campers after having checked in to East Beach Campground will be allowed to utilize the Septic Dump Station and Water Filling Station at Burlingame State Campground and/or Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground, one time at no charge. Additional dumping or use of the water filling station will be subject to the Septic Dump Station Pass FeeAddress: East Beach Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Cabins
- Trash
$28 / night
Recent Tent Reviews in Putnam
623 Reviews of 14 Putnam Campgrounds
- K
Kevin A.
Traveler
Sun Ridge Resort
Nudist Campground
The Campers are very friendly and welcoming. This is a nudist Campground so you need to be nude around the pool and hot tub. Friday and Saturday night there are things going on in the Pavilion. Tennis courts have been converted into Pickleball courts.
Lee D.
Legend
Hopeville Pond State Park Campground
Small campground in three sections on Hopeville Pond
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. Some sites have water and electric hookups, but the majority of the sites have no utilities. Note: Pets are not allowed at this campground!
Site Quality: We arrived in the rain after the Ranger station had closed and circled the main section several times trying to find the site with the least amount of water. We did not know until the next morning when we went to pay that we ended up in an ADA-accessible site. It was not marked in any way and I’m guessing that the only reason it was designated as such was its proximity to the restrooms. All sites appeared level and even though they were supposed to have gravel pads, they were mostly a mix of dirt (or mud) and grass with a little gravel.
Bath/Shower House: In the main section, there is a very large and clean indoor bathhouse with free showers. Did not use the shower so cannot comment. Appreciated that there was immediate hot water at the sinks. The other two sections have vault toilets.
Activities/Amenities: In season there is swimming, but the beach is very small. Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular. There are also some trails for walking/hiking, a basketball hoop, a dump station, and recycling.
This was an overnight stay for us but the rate for out-of-state campers, while higher than for residents, was reasonable at $30. We would return to this campground.
- Ricky H.
Scout
Onion Mountain Park
Quiet overnight
Very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required. Small campsite, first come first served basis. Other posts claim you can park right the site, but you can not. It’s up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it’s not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite.
- Lee D.Legend
Niantic KOA
Future potential?
We generally only stay in KOAs or similar RV parks when we need showers, laundry, or a dump station. This one was in a convenient location plus many campgrounds had not yet opened for the year when we were there. It had rained for a few days before our arrival and that did not help our first impression as we drove on the rutted and muddy road to our site. There was a sign that improvements are underway, but I am not sure what those planned improvements are and when they will be implemented.
On the plus side:
*Friendly and helpful staff. Not sure why when we are given a map an employee escorts us to our site but that is a KOA thing. Later an employee asked if I wanted help carrying our clothes to the laundry.
* Warm showers (but it did take a while for the water to get warm)
*Brand new pool that was uncovered but it was way too cold in April to use*Sites were spaced a decent amount of space apart (although there is little physical separation). This was helped by the fact that there was no one on either side of us during our stay.
*In season, there are many activities to occupy families (pool, playground, mini golf, daily firetruck rides, complimentary shuttle into the town of Niantic); however, we could not take advantage of most of these.
*Reasonably priced laundry, although the washing machines were smal, and it took two to do what should have been one load. However, the dryers give you 60 minutes so although it took longer to dry, I only had to use one.
On the negative side:
*Unmaintained roadways. The main one was once paved but has not been maintained; others were dirt (and mud after a rain)
*High price for what we received. Not sure if we received an off-season rate but at $87 per night for a water/electric site and not being able to take advantage of amenities seemed high.
*Allowing political flags to be displayed at sites. I understand that on private property, this can be allowed at the owner's discretion, but this was offensive to us.
Again, this is not our preferred type of camping. Initially, I struggled to give this two stars but once the rain stopped, our stay improved somewhat.
- BBarry S.Scout
Newport RV Park
Nice and quiet
Good size sites. Trees. Decent WiFi. Clean and quiet. Not much for amenities - no camp store, pool, activities.
- Lee D.Legend
Burlingame State Park Campground
HUGE state park
General: HUGE state park with over 700 sites. It does not fully open for the season until May 1 and when we were there in mid-April, only two sections, Fish Camp and Mills Camp were open. The Ranger station is staffed 24 hours a day, with a ranger on site until 11 pm. You need to show your pass to get inside the gate leading to the campsites. There are no hookups in any site (as far as I could tell). Sites are designated for tents, small trailers, large trailers, and RVs. As with other RI state parks, non-residents pay double the price of residents which kind of ticks me off (I don't mind a nominal upcharge but double is excessive IMO).
Site Quality: The site numbers throughout the park are painted on rocks but the sites themselves are not very clearly defined. There is no designated camping pad. Our site (114) had a water view but was not level. It was large enough for us to park horizontally and make it work for one night. Some sites had excessive roots and also were not level. Some picnic tables have been replaced with new ones, but others badly need it.
Bath/Shower house: The one in Fish Camp was adequate and clean. There is hot water, but you need to run it for a while before you get any. There was no garbage receptacle, and the toilet paper is so thin, that you can see through it. Showers are $.75 to get it started for the first three minutes. After that, the amount per minute increases to $1, $1.25, $1.50, and so forth. Machines take up to 22 quarters. There is a change machine at the Ranger Station. I did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well they work.
Activities/Amenities: There is a camp store that offers wood, ice, coffee, basic groceries, propane, and canoe rentals. It was open with limited hours during our stay. Fishing, boating, swimming - all in season. Even though the park was only about 10% occupied, there was a strong Ranger presence. He circled our small loop three times just before check-out time and wanted to make sure we were leaving not a minute past the designated time.
This was just an overnight stay for us in a convenient location but there is no way I would stay at the height of the season!
- Matt O.Scout
Odetah Camping Resort
Great place
We love camping at Odetah. Clean facilities. Great staff. New pool and hot tub. Will definitely come back
Kathy T.Traveler
Salt Rock State Campground
Clean, but dated facilities
Campground is a bit crowded with sites close together. The facilities were clean but quite old. There are some nice hiking trails along the river.
- ffallonScout
Sunset View Farms
Lovely spot in the woods
We booked last minute (2 hours before we arrived) and were met with the friendliest staff ready to help us at 7:30PM and get us checked in. Perfect spot if you don’t mind a 40 minute ride over to The Big E fair which is what brought us out to this part of MA. The restaurant was so nice, and to my surprise more than accommodating as I have celiac, they really went above and beyond. We will definitely be back next summer for a longer stay.
Jacob D.
Guide
Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
Somewhere to stay, not the best
$18/night if you live here, but $36 if from out of state. Large tent campground with lots of spaces, so everyone is in pretty close together. My main concern is there are showers in the bathrooms you can pay for, but ones outside that are free, but cold water and no curtain, so you literally have no privacy.
Accounting-Robert M.Traveler
Strawberry Park
Updates
Updates
Note that some of the photos submitted to this site were taken in areas that were NOT IN the Park. Also the Park is NOT under new ownership.
- GGordon C.Traveler
Ponkapoag Camp
Beautiful
Had an amazing stay, cabin was perfect and comfortable. Water was nice and fish were biting. Can’t wait to come back.
Shannon S.Scout
Otter River State Forest
Perfect escape
Very peaceful! Little hidden gem! We loved our weekend away
carol T.Scout
Waters Edge Family Campground
BEWARE WATERS EDGE CAMPGROUNDS THEY WILL KEEP ALL YOUR MONEY
JUNE 30,2024 my husband & I were seasonals at waters edge campground Lebanon Connecticuit gave them a 30 day notice we were leaving this place wasnt for us just awful the owners are just money hungey thieves they told us they were keeping our deposit wich we expected because it says non refundable deposit so okay fine but we paid for the whole season its open april15 to october15 gave a 30 day notice left june 30 they refused to give us back the money for july ,august,september,to october 15 they ket 750 plus 2500 dollars told us were not getting our money back So iam sure they rented the site thats double dipping so fair warning I dont want this to happen to anyone else they will Rob you blind oh and they broke our ice maker when they dewinterized our trailer and never owned up to it came down to my floor in camper soaked with water from my freezer and didnr bother to clean tthe mess and said it must have been broken nefore so they are also dirty liars I didnt want to even give a one star rating but had to put somethin i give the a big fat 0
- DDavid P.Traveler
Stateline Campresort & Cabins
Clean and easy
Very clean campground with a big pool and pond to fish at. There always easy to make accommodations and it’s always a good time with the family there
Jeffry D.Traveler
Quinebaug Cove Campground
Awesome Campground
The best activities for children and adults, great amenities, clean restrooms, Awesome pool thanks to ASHTON, Thanks so much.
Matt S.Legend
Mystic KOA
Great campground for coastal CT & RI
We stayed at Mystic KOA in North Stonington, Connecticut, to be tourists in Mystic. Spoiler alert… we had a great stay!
This campground 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.
It’s a well-maintained campground with 2 pools(though the larger one was closed for maintenance during our stay), lots of play areas and daily activities for little ones, and a cool“pub truck” for adult drinks. Our site(#408) was about 85’ long with plenty of room for our 45’ motorhome and toad(and then some!). It was level and gravel with a nice fire ring and picnic table. The hookups worked fine with 50-amp electric and decent water pressure. Cable TV had nearly 50-channels, but the wi-fi didn’t quite reach our part of the park.
Due to a family issue, we needed to leave about a day-and-a-half early. We called the office as a courtesy to let them know as we were pulling out and received a partial credit for a night’s stay on our credit card. Didn’t even ask, they just did it. Thanks Mystic KOA!
We’ll definitely be back. This is a great place to stay when visiting the coastal Connecticut/Rhode Island area.
ml Z.ScoutEast Beach State Campground
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- KKristi J.Scout
Burlingame State Park Campground
Pros outweigh the cons
Stayed for a week mid-July; during the week had almost an entire loop to ourselves which was wonderful - it felt like having the entire park to ourselves. Things picked up on Friday/Saturday but overall we lucked out with no neighbors who were disrespectful of the quiet hours (10p - 7a). Bathrooms, dumpsters, and portapotties are plentiful, but not always well maintained. Staff are seen frequently throughout the park and are very willing to be helpful when asked - our site had a few Yellowjacket nests and they took care of them for us almost immediately when asked. It’s worth investigating the various sites ahead of time - there are a number of sections much more likely to be busy than others, and lots of low-lying sites that show signs of easily being washed out in anything more than a moderate rain. With multiple great east coast beaches minutes away (as well as conveniences like fuel/stores) we will definitely be back.
- LLauren H.Traveler
Peppertree Camping
Amazing stay
We had our very first camping experience with our new camper at this campground and it was everything we could have imagined and more. It’s a beautiful campground, the gentleman and his family who own it are sooooo nice and they helped us a lot when it came to learning how to properly use our camper. All the fellow campers that we met were extremely nice. It’s a quiet campground, located right on a river. My children spent hours in it playing and fishing. Looking forward to returning.
- LLEAH R.Scout
Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
FEELS LIKE SUMMER
Nothing like coming home to NARRAGANSETT..... BEAUTIFUL, clean campground.... Quiet & peaceful..... Bathrooms are very nice..... Not far from ROGER WHEELER BEACH & SCARBOROUGH BEACH.....Right down the street from great RI food.....
- LLEAH R.Scout
Fort Getty Campground
HEAVEN ON EARTH
Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers....Talk about being right on the water with access to excellent swimming. Such a lovely vantage point with your tent location from the top of FORT GETTY. Who knew??? Mackerel Cove is awesome....beach, beach, beach.... Bathrooms are ok. Such a hidden gem on the wonderful island of Jamestown!!!! Bring your tent....
Laura D.Scout
Brialee Family Campground
Best Camping Experience
This was our families first time staying at Brialee Campground. The cabin was absolutely beautiful and clean. The staff were friendly and helpful. The activities were great and kept my grand children busy. Swimming and the lake were fun. I cannot say enough wonderful things. We had such a great time I booked my reservations for Next July 2025 before I left.
A special thank you to Sherri for the personal tour and showing us the ropes! She is the best.
The D'Avanzo Family
- RRobert M.Scout
Strawberry Park
Large campground with 3 pools, many amenities and scheduled activities
Large campground with 3 pools, many amenities and scheduled activities
Eddy B.Scout
Whispering Pines Campground
Fun for the family
Great privately owned family campground. The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!
AT&T service had only one bar. Couldn’t stream but worked for calls and texts. Campground WiFi was strong but as expected struggled to keep up on this busy 4th of July.
- aaliyyah A.Traveler
Normandy Farms Campground
Very Enjoyable 1 night stay
We enjoyed our tent site with a wooden lean-to. Overall very private and peaceful, however the only drawback is that people took frequent casual walks pass the area all day long. There's really no way around that.
We did not get a chance to enjoy the amenities, but they all looked nice and well thought out.
We will return.
- aaliyyah A.Traveler
Canoe River Campground
Good But Not Ideal for us
The campground was very busy with families events activities, etc. If you prefer a noisy fun experience and a more social experience with your very close neighbors, this is the pot for you. Our preferred style of camping requires more space and less noise. The pool bathrooms were gross, but the other facilities area near the tent sites was very nice and clean.
The food was great and the staff is friendly. Overall we had a great time, but its unlikely we’ll return mostly due to the noise level.
Guide to Putnam
Tent camping near Putnam, Connecticut offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With a mix of private and public campgrounds, there's something for everyone, whether you prefer a rustic experience or a few more amenities.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- At Buck Hill Campground, you'll find large clusters of sites that can accommodate multiple tents, perfect for group camping.
- East Beach State Campground offers essential amenities like showers and toilets, making it a convenient choice for families.
- For a more secluded experience, Selden Neck State Park Campground provides a unique boat-in camping experience with only four campsites on an island.
Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $50
- Camping at Ginny B Camp Grounds typically falls within this price range, offering a budget-friendly option for tent campers.
- Frontier Family Camper Park is another affordable choice, with rates that cater to families and groups looking for a fun getaway.
- For a more upscale experience, Hidden Lake Farm provides a serene setting with amenities that justify a slightly higher price point.
Tent campers should check out these activities
- At East Beach State Beach, enjoy swimming and fishing in a peaceful shoreline setting, ideal for a relaxing day by the water.
- Gillette Castle State Park Campground offers hiking trails and guided tours of the historic castle, making it a great spot for both adventure and history buffs.
- For those seeking a quiet retreat, Onion Mountain Park provides a tranquil environment perfect for hiking and enjoying nature away from the crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Putnam, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Putnam, CT is Buck Hill Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Putnam, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Putnam, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.