S
Sam M.
Scout
ScoutCrocker's Boatyard
Convenient and Safe
Friendly, clean and convenient. By chance, we were there during the annual fireworks.
Camping near South Windsor, CT
167 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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 Campgrounds near South Windsor (167)
1. Wilderness Lake Park
"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."
from $70 / night
Check Availability2. The Quarry Campground
"We came to discover new bike trails and this one was close to the Hop bike trail which we enjoyed very much"
from $45 - $68 / night
Check Availability3. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest
"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."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability4. Lake Compounce Campground
"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."
5. Onion Mountain Park
"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
"Nice hiking around the area. Bathrooms are clean. Good for kids/families."
"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."
from $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability7. Waters Edge Family Campground
"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."
from $45 - $100 / night
Check Availability8. White Pines Campsites
"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"
from $74 / night
Check Availability9. River Highlands State Park River Campground
"We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."
from $5 / night
Check Availability10. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park
"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"
Drive Time
- 6 min from Hartford, CT
- 24 min from Springfield, MA
- 32 min from Waterbury, CT
- 39 min from Norwich, CT
Recent Camping Photos near South Windsor, CT
225 Photos of 167 South Windsor Campgrounds
Gail S.
The Quarry Campground
Ricky H.
Onion Mountain Park
Jason G.
The Farm at Carter Hill
Rob L.
Wilderness Lake Park
Danny A.
Lake Compounce Campground
Rob L.
Mineral Springs Family Campgrounds
Sue B.
Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest
Laura M.
Waters Edge Family Campground
Kim T.
White Pines Campsites
Saori A.
Your Huckleberry Farms - CLOSED
Rae A.
Brialee Family Campground
Megin F.
Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park
Recent Reviews near South Windsor, CT
712 Reviews of 167 South Windsor Campgrounds
- JJohnScout
Totoket Valley RV Park
Very Friendly and quick check in/out!
I was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy. Had smoke from the Canadian Wildfire which made for a good sunset
Arthur D.ScoutPine Acres Family Camping Resort
4th of July weekend
It was a hot one! The pool was crowded but that’s to be expected when it was 96 for three days. Clean, fun, and friendly. My son said it was the best campground so far.
- UUA C.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
The fireworks-WOW
Had a wonderful 2 night stay, an added plus were the annual fireworks, a wonderful surprise. Highly recommend Crocker’s BoatYard, friendly, safe, convenient location and lovely pool as well.
- AAndrew B.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
Beautiful and convenient
Easy to get to, great communication and lovely location. Recommended!
- BBlake N.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
Awesome
This place is fantastic and I would definitely stay again. It is a working shipyard and marina. Excellent showers. Very nice pool and pool deck with umbrella right on the water. One mile from block island ferry.
- DDavid G.
TravelerCrocker's Boatyard
Great spot and great hosts
Crocker’s is a nice relaxing scenic place to stay in the New London area.
Walking distance to restaurants and to Fort Trumbull.
So much fun watching the boats and boating activities.
Electric and water included. There is a free dump station about a mile away (during regular business hours). *Can be found on The Dyrt.
Hosts were super friendly and had nice recommendations for places to see around town. Thank you !!!! We will definitely be visiting again. - AAshley H.Traveler
Mashamoquet Brook Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Cozy Rustic Campground
Due to the heat wave, I opted not to spend the night, but we did roll through and check out the area. First thing we noticed is how close and open the sites were, with a few exceptions. I attached photos of the more secluded sites I plan to choose next time. Site 49 is what I had reserved and it was large and partially secluded. The bathroom buildings are boarded up across the campground and state park with port o potties in front. I was not eager to check those out… a bucket started feeling like the safer option lol It was quiet but on the more secluded sites, there was ample road noise and you could see the road from some sites. I didn’t get a chance to look for the walkway to the park and river, but I plan to next time. The state park and river nearby was beautiful and quiet and serene with smattering Fourth of July picnics. Overall, I plan to return here when the weather is more cooperative and my car camper is better equipped :)
Julia B.TravelerLake Compounce Campground
Very clean, friendly staff and not crowded
We arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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