Rocky Hill, Connecticut sits near the Connecticut River, about 8 miles south of Hartford at an elevation of 417 feet. Summer temperatures typically range between 65-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons experience temperature fluctuations from 40-70°F. The region has mixed hardwood forests with oak, maple, and birch trees creating varied camping terrain across the area.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Rocky Neck State Park offers multiple walking paths along the coastline. "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 regular visitor.
Kayaking on small lakes: At Wilderness Lake Park, campers can use complimentary watercraft. "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake," reports a camper. Another visitor mentions, "Bring your own kayaks or use the campgrounds free of charge."
Fishing options: Multiple ponds provide fishing opportunities within 30 minutes of Rocky Hill. "There's a fishing pond, which my husband loved. We visited Hartford from this site, which was about 40 min drive," shares one camper about Wolf's Den Family Campground. Another visitor notes, "At the back of the property, there's also a fishing pond."
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Campgrounds maintain different levels of bathroom cleanliness. "The Campground is only a few years old. Sites were large enough for RV. Showers were few for number of campsites, but very clean," reports a visitor at Lake Compounce Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to see local wildlife. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," shares a White Pines Campsites visitor, adding a cautionary note for food storage.
Family-oriented activities: Brialee Family Campground provides structured entertainment options. "This campground offers activities pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy. Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs," explains one visitor who appreciated the organized events.
What you should know
Seasonal site availability: Most campgrounds operate from early May through October. "Sites include one paved parking spot (ours was very muddy) a fire pit and a picnic table. No water or electric hookup. Wi-fi not available at this campground," notes a summer visitor at Rocky Neck State Park.
Variable site sizes and layouts: Space varies considerably between campgrounds. "The tent spots are small and close together. Also there is only one set of facilities for the whole place. It's quite a walk to the bathrooms," warns a Lake Compounce visitor.
Extra fees for certain amenities: Some campgrounds charge for additional services. "Internet is an extra fee! ($6/day)," points out a Riverdale Farm Campsites visitor. Another camper mentions shower costs: "There is a $.50 fee for shower usage for 5 minutes" at another location.
Tips for camping with families
Check swimming options carefully: Not all water features are swimable. "It would have been nice if they had a place to swim (in the camping area) besides for at the main park," notes a Lake Compounce camper. Conversely, another camper shares: "The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this is an awesome small campground."
Consider tent site locations: Family tent campers should investigate specific site details. "Immediately entering the campground a kid (maybe early 20s) greeted us at our truck and showed us where to pull over for our paperwork. He escorted us to our site and made sure we had everything we needed as we set up," reports a satisfied Wilderness Lake visitor.
Look for organized children's activities: Many campgrounds offer structured family programs. "Mini golf, pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lots of playgrounds for the kids. Family oriented park. Bingo, board games, and other activities available," a Wolf's Den visitor details.
Tips from RVers
Sewer hookups vary widely: Not all RV sites offer full hookups. "Only electric 30 or 50A, and water; but there are a few dumpstations around in the camp," notes a Wolf's Den visitor. Another camper adds: "There was no full service sewer hook up, only gray water. There was a dump station."
Site layout considerations: RV site designs affect comfort and convenience. "You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded. Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," observes a Lake Compounce visitor with appreciation for the thoughtful design.
RV size restrictions exist: Older campgrounds may have challenges for larger vehicles. "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers," advises a Wolf's Den camper.
