Best Campgrounds near Salem, CT

We ended up at Indian Ranch Campground after leaving another local campground under less-than-ideal circumstances… and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best accidental discoveries we’ve ever made.

From the moment we arrived, the energy here was completely different—welcoming, relaxed, and full of life. The campground is beautifully laid out with well-kept sites, plenty of trees, and easy access to Webster Lake(aka Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg—yes, really).

🎶 The concerts? Incredible. Being able to walk from our campsite to watch national music acts perform live at the Indian Ranch Amphitheater is a game-changer. It’s like a music festival that doesn’t require you to sleep in a muddy field. Huge bonus for music lovers!

🛺 Golf cart rentals make exploring the campground easy and fun, especially if you're hauling chairs, coolers, or just want to cruise around and enjoy the views.

🏊‍♂️ The pool is clean and inviting—perfect for relaxing after a show or just enjoying a sunny afternoon.

🌅 The lake itself is stunning, with spots to sit and watch the boats, fish, or just take in the view. The vibe is very“lake life meets concert culture,” and it works perfectly.

🍔 There’s also an on-site restaurant inside the gates with great food, cold drinks, and a laid-back patio atmosphere that completes the experience.

🤝 The people here? Fantastic. Campers were friendly, staff was helpful, and there was an overall sense of community that you just don’t get at every park. In Summary: Awesome mix of camping+ concerts Clean facilities, full hookups, and spacious sites Golf cart rentals= a must! Pool, lake, and great food on-site Walkable access to live shows= chef’s kiss🎶 We stumbled in… and didn’t want to leave If you're looking for more than just a campsite—if you want an experience—this is it. We'll be back. Probably more than once.

I wish I wasn’t writing this.

Truly. But if sharing our experience helps even one person avoid the same mistake, then it’s worth it.

We booked two full weeks at Douglas Forest RV Resort, drawn in by its wooded setting and supposed family-friendly charm. The photos looked peaceful. The location sounded perfect. But within hours of arrival, we realized we had walked into something completely different.

Almost immediately, we witnessed aggressive, disturbing behavior—adults yelling and chasing children through the park. At one point, a child was literally being pursued by a vehicle. In a campground. On the roads where people walk, dogs are walked, and kids ride bikes. We were shocked. We kept expecting someone from staff to step in—but no one did. When we brought it up to another guest, they just nodded and said,“Yeah… it’s always like this.” Turns out, management is known to overlook certain behavior from“regulars.”

As we walked the grounds, we also noticed**several people clearly living out of tents—**not camping, not weekend warriors, but living there long-term. It gave the entire campground an uneasy, off-kilter feel. The line between traveler and transient is not well-maintained here, and it adds to the overall lack of safety and structure.

We were ready to leave that night, but with tight, poorly lit roads, towing out after dark just wasn’t safe. So we locked up, barely slept, and pulled out at first light. We had paid for 14 nights. We stayed one. And we didn’t ask for a refund—because honestly, we just wanted out.

And yes, we later discovered that many of the glowing reviews online were written by someone who works at the campground. That’s not just misleading—it’s reckless. Campers rely on those reviews to make informed choices.

Douglas Forest RV Resort could be something special, but it’s not. Not right now. Not while safety is ignored, accountability is non-existent, and some guests are clearly treated as untouchable. Please, do your homework before booking here.

We wish we had—just one day earlier.

Mixed Experience- Potential Hindered by Operational Issues

The new ownership appears committed to improvements, though the focus seems more on revenue generation than guest experience at this time. 

Infrastructure Concerns: The electrical system needs significant attention. Multiple RVs share single pedestals, and we observed exposed wire connections and pest issues at electrical boxes. Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips. The road system requires maintenance- while some fresh gravel has been applied, many intersections remain challenging for larger trailers due to poor grading and poorly placed boulders. 

Accommodations& Atmosphere: 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. For those seeking a transient camping experience, this may not align with expectations.

Facilities: The pool is well-maintained and enjoyable. However, other amenities need attention- the playground equipment shows its age, and laundry facilities, while clean, have mechanical reliability issues. Currently, only one restroom facility is fully operational, with others being gradually brought online.

Accessibility: Most sites feature loose gravel surfaces that may present challenges for guests with mobility equipment. The playground uses mulch surfacing, which may also limit accessibility.

Management: Communication with management regarding concerns can be challenging, and families should be prepared for a more relaxed supervision environment.

Bottom Line: While the location has natural beauty and potential, current operational challenges and pricing don't align well with the amenity level provided. Those seeking a quiet, well-maintained camping experience might find better value elsewhere until improvements are completed. Positive reviews seem to be coming from investors of the campground or people with personal interest.

Not a Resort—Not Even Close This campground has one thing going for it: location. It’s nestled in a scenic area, close to lakes, shops, and local attractions. Unfortunately, everything beyond the zip code falls short—way short. Let’s start with the reviews. Many of the 5-star ratings appear to be posted by people connected to the park. The previous owners—who were reportedly ordered to step away—are still involved in daily operations and“renovations.” Now, the electrical situation. There are vague mentions of a future upgrade, but as of August, there’s no approved plan, and no work has started. The power system is unreliable and, frankly, unsafe. Breakers trip when multiple A/Cs run on warm days. Some pedestals are shared between up to four RVs. Others are infested with mice—yes, actual live and dead mice inside the boxes. We saw it ourselves. Several campers experienced rig damage from voltage instability. Water is mostly consistent now, but it had its fair share of issues due to poor piping and electrical problems with the well pump. Wi-Fi? Don’t count on it. There’s no campground internet available. One of the employees shared their personal hotspot with nearby campers, but it’s limited in range and speed. If you plan on working remotely, streaming, or even browsing, bring your own connection. Roads through the park are rough and rocky. There were attempts to improve them, but it looks like they ran out of time, money, or interest. Some sections have reclaimed pavement material, but most side roads are loose stone and dirt. Large RVs beware—tight corners, misplaced boulders, and uneven terrain can be tricky. Walk your path first. Accessibility is a major issue. Most campsites are covered in loose rock, making them almost impossible to navigate with mobility aids. Wheelchairs are a hard no. Even the ADA ramp to the laundry has a lip so high, it’s a barrier, not a benefit. One ADA-compliant restroom exists—way at the front of the park—with a single unisex shower. The men’s bathroom is still under construction(and was promised months ago), while the women’s side only recently reopened—and initially had no stall dividers. Campground rules? Not enforced. Kids run wild on four-wheelers, tearing through pedestrian areas and between campsites. Many roam unsupervised well into the night. They're often seen peeking at gear on other sites. Staff does little to correct behavior or enforce pool rules(kids under 16 in the water without supervision). The saltwater pool is the nicest feature—but it’s only 4 feet deep and the heater doesn’t function properly. Lastly, the park has visible homeless encampments on-site. I have no issue with people down on their luck, but it’s misleading to call this a“resort” when the grounds reflect neglect and mismanagement. For the price, you expect better—at minimum, safety, functionality, and truth in advertising. TL;DR: Great location. Poor management. Unsafe electrical. Limited amenities. No Wi-Fi. Inaccessible for anyone with mobility challenges. Disruptive environment. The campground could be something special—but right now, it's a work in progress being marketed as a finished product. Would I stay again? Not unless things change dramatically. Spend your money elsewhere—for now.