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Best Campgrounds near Salem, CT

705 Reviews

Salem, Connecticut and the surrounding region feature a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and RV resorts within a 30-minute drive. Salem Farms Campground, located directly in Salem, offers 189 sites primarily for RVs with electric hookups, water access, and seasonal operation from May through Columbus Day. Within short driving distance, campers can access Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam and Rocky Neck State Park near Niantic, both offering more rustic camping experiences with varying levels of amenities. The area's camping options typically balance woodland settings with proximity to coastal attractions along Long Island Sound.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with the primary camping season running from late April through early October. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when coastal sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "Rocky Neck State Park books up FAST, I usually book in the wintertime." Facilities vary significantly between state parks and private campgrounds, with state parks generally offering more basic amenities while private resorts like Odetah Camping Resort in Bozrah provide full hookups, camp stores, and recreational facilities. Tick prevention is important throughout the area, particularly at Devil's Hopyard where campers report finding numerous ticks during summer stays.

Family-friendly amenities are common at campgrounds throughout the region. Many visitors use these campgrounds as convenient bases for exploring coastal Connecticut attractions. According to one reviewer at Mystic KOA, "The location of the campground was great as it was easy to find, close to a grocery store, and more importantly close enough to our favorite town in Connecticut allowing us the opportunity to visit the ocean." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at several locations, with campers at Rocky Neck reporting sightings of "deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife." Site privacy varies considerably, with state park campgrounds often featuring closer spacing between sites compared to some of the premium private options that offer more separation and amenities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Salem, Connecticut (138)

    1. Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-1339

    "The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground.  The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way."

    "Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."

    2. Odetah Camping Resort

    13 Reviews
    Bozrah, CT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 889-4144

    "Tucked away in the woods I never knew this was there! Beautiful pond and a good mix of seasonal and overnight sites as well as cabins. Plenty of areas to walk our dogs and have them swim."

    "Has a nice beach on a pond, a very cool splash pad next to the pool which all looked very clean. There is a snack shack next to the pond with a play scape and horseshoes."

    3. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Salem, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 526-2336

    $14 / night

    "There are trails behind the sites along a large marsh. The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."

    "The sites are very open, not wooded so you have little privacy from adjacent sites."

    4. Niantic KOA

    13 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-9308

    "His place in Niantic Connecticut very close to downtown and the beach which they have a shuttle for. The staff is very friendly, courteous and knowledgeable of the area."

    "Close to level parking pad, with table and very nice brick firepit. Sites not too close together. I had woods behind me. I would definitely camp here again."

    5. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 245-1817

    $20 - $70 / night

    "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."

    "   I had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.

        Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground."

    6. Crocker's Boatyard

    12 Reviews
    New London, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 443-6304

    $50 - $75 / night

    "Which was walking distance from the boat yard.

    Had a bite to eat at the Blue Duck, it was fine. Saw the show and walk back to the boat yard."

    "Easy access to the boatyard at night; pulled in, picked a spot and all good.

    Enjoyed the pool.

    Walked to Fort Trumbull.

    Recommend Crockers."

    7. Waters Edge Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Amston, CT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 642-7470

    $45 - $100 / night

    "We’ve been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park."

    "This is our families favorite camping location. On the pond at Waters Edge. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge."

    8. Aces High RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Montville, CT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-8858

    $74 - $80 / night

    "We stayed at Aces High RV Park for a long holiday weekend to visit with our daughter in Connecticut. We paid$150/night for a‘Premium Waterfront FHU Site’ on the lake."

    "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it. It was a quiet area with ponds and creeks and a generally relaxing setting."

    9. Wolf's Den Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hadlyme, CT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 873-9681

    "This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River (major RT 9 highway is on west side)."

    "Nice camp ground in the woods near hadlyme"

    10. Salem Farms Campground

    4 Reviews
    Salem, CT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 859-2320

    $68 - $72 / night

    "Great camping out the the woods of Salem ct"

    "We tent close to the restroom and the pool, which are very clean. We go mid week and the special is pay 2 nights, get third night free."

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Recent Camping Photos near Salem, CT

226 Photos of 138 Salem Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Salem, CT

705 Reviews of 138 Salem Campgrounds

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Fort Getty Campground

    Great Park Just Not for Camping

    Forty Getty Park RV Campground seems like a great location, with a good bit of history and a lot to offer to anyone visiting, which is why I was eager to visit it this past weekend while traveling through the Jamestown area of Rhode Island. I'd still call it a great place to visit, just not the best to attempt to stay at overnight or camp at. That is something else entirely in this case. 

    THE GOOD👍 Again, an absolutely gorgeous location on the shores of Jamestown😍 that being the park, NOT the campgrounds. The campground itself🏕 and particularly the⛺️ tenting section are pretty far removed from any of that and the water itself in reality. 

    THE Bad. In actuality, the campground looks to be a complete afterthought. More like, What should we do with this little grassy area next to the RV park?... oh maybe that can be for tents! Or,. Where the hell are we going to fit some tents⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️around here? Oh, I know, how about over on the hill by the bathrooms?🚻 next to the RV park fencing? Oh yeah, that sounds Perfect👍 

    The Ugly There's no Ugly. The people seem nice, the park is great,t and everyone working there was polite and courteous. It's just a shame they haven't given any real consideration to the camping section or provided a real space for campers to come enough the area. What you're left with is a grassy knoll with a bunch of tent sites tightly clustered together and right next to or on top of the RV park in a way that didn't seem necessary.

  • j
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great!

    Great spot with view of harbor, a pool, bathroom and power if needed. Easy to book, good location- near many places of interest.

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    I mean wow!!

    So much going on! They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT.

    We had tried to get a deluxe location and not completely booked. This is the weekend before Labor Day and they were vanishing point the owner / shuttle driver, John, asked us if we would want to move on Sunday after a bunch of people moved out. And we said absolutely because we're going to be here for 3 more nights.

    And it is huge and amazing! If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!

  • J
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Our go-to spot

    My wife and I love this campground. It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)

  • Jim R.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Indian Ranch Campground

    Live Music, Lake Views, and Laid-Back Vibes—One of Our Favorite Campgrounds

    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.

  • Jim R.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Resort

    Please—Do Your Homework Before You Stay Here

    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.

  • Glenn M.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Resort

    Reviews seem to be disappearing for this property.

    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.

Guide to Salem

Camping near Salem, Connecticut, offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds are close to the beach. For example, at Hammonasset State Park Campground, you can enjoy a short walk to the beach without any extra fees. One camper mentioned, "The beach was popular," making it a great spot for swimming and sunbathing.
  • Nature Trails: Explore the beautiful trails nearby. Campers at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground enjoyed the lush greenery, with one reviewer saying, "Very lush and green, and the showers are close to the sites."
  • Family Activities: Many campgrounds offer activities for kids. At Brialee Family Campground, families can enjoy a sand beach and various activities, with one visitor noting, "The sand beach is great for the kids."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at George Washington State Campground remarked, "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A camper at Newport RV Park shared, "The park was recently updated and was beautiful," highlighting the positive experiences with the staff.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having enough space for their tents or RVs. At Rocky Neck State Park Campground, one camper noted, "The site itself is not very private but very spacious."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during weekends. A visitor at Wells State Park Campground mentioned, "There was karaoke at a neighboring site," which might not be ideal for those seeking peace.
  • Booking in Advance: Popular campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Mystic KOA advised, "If you are looking for a site it’s best to book far in advance."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have on-site stores. A camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground noted, "There is no on-site camp store for last-minute necessities."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities. At Brialee Family Campground, families can enjoy a variety of activities that keep kids entertained.
  • Choose the Right Site: Some sites are better for families than others. A camper at Hammonasset State Park Campground mentioned, "There are some sites with shade, but most are sunny," which can be important for keeping kids comfortable.
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A visitor at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground appreciated the nearby food options, saying, "Right down the street from great RI food."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to choose a level site for your RV. A camper at George Washington State Campground noted, "The driveway to site 38 was a mess," which can be a hassle for RVers.
  • Book Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, book early. A visitor at Mystic KOA mentioned, "The hookups worked fine with 50-amp electric."
  • Be Prepared for Traffic: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A camper at Newport RV Park advised, "Newport drivers are not walker/biker friendly," so plan your travels accordingly.

Camping around Salem, CT, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there’s a campground that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Salem, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Salem, CT is Rocky Neck State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.

What parks are near Salem, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Salem, CT that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Westville Lake.

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