Best Campgrounds near Montville, CT
State parks and private campgrounds within a 30-minute drive of Montville, Connecticut provide diverse camping experiences ranging from waterfront sites to wooded retreats. Rocky Neck State Park Campground in nearby Niantic offers beach access with tent and RV sites available from May through September. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground in East Haddam features more rustic camping near waterfalls and hiking trails. Private options include Odetah Camping Resort in Bozrah with amenities like full hookups, a market, and seasonal activities from May through November. Strawberry Park in Preston stands out with 550 sites and extensive recreational facilities, while several KOA locations in the region cater to families seeking structured activities and amenities.
Reservations are essential during the peak summer season when most campgrounds operate at capacity, particularly on weekends. Many state park campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically closing by late September or October. As one camper noted about Rocky Neck State Park, "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." Ticks can be prevalent in warmer months, with one Devil's Hopyard visitor reporting finding "over 25 ticks" during a two-night stay. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though Wi-Fi quality varies significantly between campgrounds.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with several campgrounds offering access to Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River, or inland lakes. Family-friendly amenities are common, with many campgrounds featuring playgrounds, organized activities, and bike-friendly roads. A visitor to Mystic KOA noted, "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." Site privacy varies considerably, with state parks generally offering more natural settings while private campgrounds tend to have closer spacing between sites. Most campgrounds provide standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathhouses, though quality and cleanliness can vary.
