Best Campgrounds near South Windsor, CT

Campgrounds near South Windsor, Connecticut range from established family-oriented resorts to more rustic state park facilities. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can find options like Wilderness Lake Park in Willington and The Quarry Campground, both offering a mix of tent and RV sites. Most campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups, water access, and fire rings, with several featuring cabin rentals and glamping accommodations. Lake Compounce Campground in Bristol, approximately 25 miles west of South Windsor, stands out with its proximity to an amusement park and variety of accommodation types including cabins and yurts.

Seasonal operation typically runs from April through October, with many facilities closing for winter. Connecticut's camping season peaks during summer months when temperatures average 75-85°F, though spring and fall offer more moderate conditions with fewer crowds. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays between Memorial Day and Labor Day when availability becomes limited. Most campgrounds require advance booking through reservation systems, with many sites filling months ahead for prime summer weekends. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may vary in more remote areas. According to one visitor at American Legion State Forest, "Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a little community but still quite private."

Campers consistently rate waterfront access as a significant draw at several locations. Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon provides boat-in access, while other properties feature swimming areas, fishing ponds, and water recreation. Family-friendly amenities represent another highlight, with many campgrounds offering playgrounds, organized activities, and recreation facilities. Several reviewers note the proximity to regional attractions as a benefit, with one camper describing Wilderness Lake Park as "conveniently located off I-84" making it accessible for weekend trips. Bathroom and shower facilities vary considerably across properties, with state park campgrounds generally offering more basic amenities compared to private resorts. Noise levels depend largely on location, with campgrounds closer to highways experiencing more ambient sound than those in more secluded settings.

Best Camping Sites Near South Windsor, Connecticut (164)

    1. Wilderness Lake Park

    14 Reviews
    Willington, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 684-6352

    $70 / night

    "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."

    "It’s a dog friendly park which was good for us, our dog could swim in the lake with us. Cute patio overlooking the lake as well with seating."

    2. The Quarry Campground

    5 Reviews
    Tolland, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 875-8325

    $45 - $68 / night

    "We came to discover new bike trails and this one was close to the Hop bike trail which we enjoyed very much"

    3. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 583-3300

    "Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."

    "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."

    4. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    13 Reviews
    Riverton, CT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0922

    $17 - $50 / night

    "We were passing through Connecticut and needed a place to crash. Loved this campsite! Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a litrle community but still quotr private."

    "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots. Definitely need to come back. Great rates on all sites."

    5. Onion Mountain Park

    3 Reviews
    West Simsbury, CT
    13 miles
    Website

    "We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."

    "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."

    6. Brialee Family Campground

    14 Reviews
    Ashford, CT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 303-2267

    $25 - $150 / night

    "Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field. Nice sites. Decent laundry and showers. Great place with kids.....lots of seasonal, but plenty short term."

    "Nice hiking around the area. Bathrooms are clean. Good for kids/families."

    7. Waters Edge Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Amston, CT
    21 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. White Pines Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Winsted, CT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0124

    $74 / night

    "However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."

    "We got a tent spot and it was perfect since it was the furthest one away and there was no one near us which is probably why we loved it so much bc we were so isolated. a little disappointed in the site"

    9. River Highlands State Park River Campground

    1 Review
    Cromwell, CT
    14 miles
    +1 (203) 287-5658

    $5 / night

    "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."

    10. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Granville, MA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 357-6494

    "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!"

    "This is over the boarder in mass from ct We did a three month seasonal Site Staff is super nice and helpful We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 164 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near South Windsor, CT

680 Reviews of 164 South Windsor Campgrounds


  • Sue B.
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    Great State Forest Campground

    Austin Hawes (also known as American Legion State Forest/Campground) is a great little place in a beautiful part of the State. They have cabins if you want some of the creature comforts, as well as sites suitable for tents or campers. Have camped here before in tents and a pop up, it's right on the Farmington River, so we have gone tubing down the river, swimming and fishing as well. The bathrooms have showers and flush toilets, there are hiking trails in and near the campground, and stores not too far. Sites vary in size and privacy.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Black Rock State Park Campground

    Nah

    If you want to feel like you are camping in the middle of a lawless low income housing project, this is the place for you. We camped next to a woman with 2 pit bulls, which was surprising, given the "no dogs allowed" rule, and were surrounded by people partying despite the "no alcohol" rule. Teens congregate in the bathroom so they could charge their devices but did not appreciate you being there to use the bathroom they clearly took over, and even though it's 2025, I still prefer no boyfriends hanging out in the women's bathroom. Call me whatever. Used to camp here years ago, clearly it has gone downhill. Park Ranger? What's that?

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Green Falls Campground

    Inexpensive and primitive

    We like Green Falls. Again, it is inexpensive and kinda primitive, but it sure also quiet and a real woods camping environment. Take a hike around the pond, fish and swim in season, and enjoy a laid back approach to your time here.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Great spot for no frills camping

    We loved Mt. Misery. We spent $17/night, and we know what to expect at that price point. We stayed during fall foliage season and even though CT has had a drought this year, there were still pretty colors to see. We hiked to the overlook of Mt. Misery and had a great time geocaching and enjoying the trails. We found the campsites to be decent, and a number of them did afford privacy and space, we had 4 people and 3 dogs on our site, and had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2 tents. We will be back here for sure.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Ten Mile River Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Not a public campground!

    Ten Mile River Shelter and campsite is not a public campground. Sure, anyone can camp there, but it is designated for folks hiking the A.T., whether thru-hikers, section hikers, or whatever. While there are no rules about who can camp there, during thru-hiking season, consideration should be made for folks who rely on places like this during a long distance hike. It is at least a mile if not a mile and a half from approved parking (on the side of the road off the A.T.) to camp, either from the A.T. or a combo of the A.T. and a blue blaze trail (which is easier, imo). There are also no fires allowed on the CT A.T.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great spot and good communication

    Was in town for the Elvis show. This was minutes from downtown definitely walkable. Will be back again!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Point Folly Campground

    Great

    I’ve been coming here for decades. Little store has what you need if you can find the shop keeper. Great access to bantam lake. You can leave you canoes/kayaks tied up in the water. Great fishing. Love it overall. The only issue I have is the pit toilets are brutal. If you are tent camping, beware!

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Mystic KOA

    KOA Mystic

    From the first interaction you see this KOA is customer focused. The staff is friendly, professional and helpful. The grounds are well maintained as are the facilities.


Guide to South Windsor

Connecticut camping sites near South Windsor provide varied experiences from May through October when average temperatures reach 75-85°F. Access to natural waterways sets many campgrounds apart, with multiple locations situated along rivers, ponds, or lakes. Most tent sites require advance booking, especially for weekend stays when campgrounds can reach capacity during summer months.

What to do

Paddle the waterways: Wilderness Lake Park in Willington offers free kayaks and canoes for lake access. "Nice walking trails and free kayaks as available," notes Kay B., adding that the campground has "quiet RV and tent site park" with relatively secluded tent sites.

Explore hiking trails: Onion Mountain Park provides hiking trails directly from the campground. Nora S. shares, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent."

Fish in local waters: American Legion State Forest offers prime fishing access. Tom C. describes it as "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots. Great rates on all sites."

What campers like

Private campsites: The Quarry Campground maintains well-spaced sites that provide privacy. Michael notes, "Very quiet. At night all you can hear is the crackling of the campfire."

Kid-friendly amenities: Brialee Family Campground in Ashford focuses on family activities. Christine M. explains it has "Plenty of activities and things for kids to do; Rec hall, mini golf, shuffleboard, beach, pool, playground. Park is kept clean and tidy."

Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer sites directly on lakes or rivers. Mallory P. describes White Pines Campsites as having "a beach and a separate beach for dogs" plus activities "pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy."

What you should know

Cash or alternative payments: Multiple campgrounds near South Windsor don't accept credit cards. According to Hails L., Wilderness Lake Park is "cash or Venmo only so be prepared."

Seasonal crowds: Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon has many seasonal campers. Erin M. notes, "Most of the campground has seasonal campers, but we never felt like we didn't belong, which is my criticism of other campground like this."

Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds report bear sightings. Sylvia P. warns, "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours" at White Pines Campsites.

Tips for camping with families

Amusement park access: Lake Compounce Campground in Bristol connects directly to an amusement park. Sandra S. notes that other campgrounds like Prospect Mountain also offer "activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."

Look for organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events for children. Mallory P. mentions one site offers "activities pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy."

Water recreation options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas for children. Megin F. describes Prospect Mountain Campground as having grounds that are "absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! Pool was lovely and refreshing."

Tips from RVers

Full hookup availability: The Quarry Campground offers sites with utilities, though capacity can be limited. As Brittany V. notes, "They advertise full hu but turns out to be a lie when you pull in… all full hi is given to seasonal customers. We did receive a pull thru with 50/30/20 and water."

Pull-through accessibility: Prospect Mountain Campground offers easy-access sites. The Quarry Campground features "lots of pull throughs" according to Gail S., which makes setup simpler for larger rigs.

Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with electric and water have sewer connections at each site. Diane R. reports that Lake Compounce Campground has "easy entry, long pull thrus" but no sewer hookups, while Ray B. adds that it "does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities do South Windsor area camping facilities offer?

Campgrounds near South Windsor feature a variety of amenities to enhance your stay. Hammonasset State Park Campground provides well-maintained showers and bathrooms, a fully-stocked camp store, and beautiful beaches just steps from campsites. Mystic KOA offers excellent facilities including a swimming pool, camp store, and clean facilities, making it perfect for families. Many area campgrounds provide water access, with options for swimming, fishing, and boating. Most sites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathhouses. State park campgrounds typically offer hiking trails, while private campgrounds often include playgrounds, game rooms, and organized activities.

Where are the campgrounds near South Windsor, CT?

Several excellent campgrounds are located within driving distance of South Windsor. Wilderness Lake Park offers a secluded retreat with both tent and RV sites. Just a short drive away, Wolf's Den Family Campground is conveniently located off Route 9 on the east side of the Connecticut River, near attractions like Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House. Other nearby options include Lake Compounce Campground near Bristol, Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon, and Brialee Family Campground in Ashford, all within reasonable driving distance from South Windsor.

What are the costs for camping options around South Windsor?

Camping costs near South Windsor vary based on the type of campground and amenities offered. Rocky Neck State Park Campground charges approximately $33 per night for basic sites with bathhouse access but no hookups. Hopeville Pond State Park Campground offers similar state park pricing with affordable sites that include access to swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. Private campgrounds typically charge more but provide additional amenities. Expect to pay $40-60 for basic tent sites at private campgrounds and $60-90 for RV sites with hookups. Many campgrounds offer discounts for longer stays and have different seasonal rates, with peak summer months commanding premium prices.