2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent camping opportunities near Storrs, Connecticut range from riverside sites to state park walk-in locations in the heavily forested areas surrounding this university town. Onion Mountain Park offers primitive tent-only camping with established fire pits and a short hike required to reach the sites. The area also includes water-accessible tent camping at Selden Neck State Park, an island campground in the Connecticut River accessible only by kayak or boat, featuring four designated tent camping areas with picnic tables and fire pits.
Most walk-in tent sites in the region require minimal hiking but offer increased privacy compared to developed campgrounds. Onion Mountain Park provides first-come, first-served primitive tent sites with established fire rings but no drinking water or toilets. Chapman Pond Preserve features tent platforms and picnic tables near the Connecticut River, along with a basic outhouse. Hidden Lake Farm offers tent campers access to drinking water, showers, and toilets on a property with only five sites, creating a more intimate camping experience with basic amenities.
The tent camping experience varies significantly between locations around Storrs. Riverside tent sites at places like River Highlands State Park and Hurd State Park provide scenic water views but may require additional preparation. "Selden Neck State Park is an island in the Connecticut River with no roads or development other than 4 campsites," one camper noted about their river camping experience. At Onion Mountain Park, campers recommend smaller tents due to limited space at the primitive sites. Summer visitors should prepare for insects, particularly at wooded sites. Fall camping offers cooler temperatures and fewer bugs, making it ideal for tent campers seeking both comfort and solitude in the Connecticut forests.
"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
"There's a few sites close to each other, so it is nice to go with enough people to occupy them all at once to keep it personal. You can swim and fish and relax all day!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $5 / night
"Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view. Good site"
"All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc."
"We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."
"Very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required. Small campsite, first come first served basis. Other posts claim you can park right the site, but you can not."
"Selden Neck State Park is an island in the Connecticut River with no roads or development other than 4 campsites. You have to kayak or boat in."
from $5 / night
"I wasn't going to come back again but it is very close to my grandkids. All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. "
from $5 / night
"Spots are hard to find.dorothy gave us a great spot near rest rooms and showers for the kids. Every single person we met was a delight and overly generous to us and our kids."
from $46 - $50 / night
TravelerSmall but quaint park. It is the off season, but there are numerous folks here. Propane fill available. They stock the river behind the park with trout. Walking path in the woods along the river. Staff are friendly and helpful.
ScoutClean, nice and friendly camping experience
ScoutLots of seasonal campers here. Some damaged trailers in a few spots just sitting there- not sure what the campsites plan is. Bathrooms clean. I saw a schedule of activities for the upcoming weekend and it looks like they offer some nice things for kids. There is a pond in the front for fishing.
LegendThis campground is associated with a large amusement park. We were there in the fall when the amusement park was closed so the campground was not very busy but image it would have a very crowded feel if you were there during the summer. The RV sites are buddy sites which is never our favorite set-up (unless we are traveling with friends). Luckily, there was no one in the site next to us during our stay. The campground is big rig-friendly with roads and sites wide and long enough to accommodate any size RV; however, the road and roundabout you encounter when entering the campground is tight. There was very little traffic when we entered so navigating the entrance booth and roundabout was doable. The RV slots you pull into to check in at registration are far too short to accommodate large RVs with their tow vehicles and we ended up taking up four spaces. The tent sites are set away from the cabins and RV sites. Some are nicely tucked up against the tree line while others are in a grassy area and others are sandy nestled under some scrubby pine trees. One of the problems with the location of the tent sites is that they are far away from the bathrooms. Garbage cans are scattered throughout the campground so you don’t have to walk very far to dump your trash. There is no sewer but the electric (50-amp) worked well. There is cable but the channels were not HD so we switched to our over-the-air antenna and got great HD reception with about 60 channels. There is wifi but we could not get it at our site so we just used our Verizon hotspot (which had great reception). The water pressure is very high so we dialed our regulator back to around 45. Roads and sites are gravel. All the sites are level and have a picnic table and fire pit. We noticed that some of the fire pits needed to be cleaned out because rude campers littered them with water bottles, cans, and other garbage in the fire pits. One of the downsides is the noise from local recycling/transfer station. There is a dump station set to the side as you enter/exit. It was a little tight for us getting our 45’ RV in there but it was doable. There is only one sewer dump so we can image that it can be pretty backed up on Sundays when everybody checks out.
ScoutAfter a busy summer, we wanted somewhere we could just park the camper and slow down for a few days. Sterling Park worked out great for that. We spent one morning fishing, walked the trails later in the day and finished the evening around the fire. Nothing complicated, just a really enjoyable camping weekend.
ScoutAfter a busy few weeks, this was exactly the break we needed. The kids went swimming, we did some fishing, and everyone came home tired in a good way lol.
ScoutWe came with another family and had a blast. The kids disappeared together for half the day while the adults hung around the sites. Between fishing, the pool and the other activities, everyone found something they liked. Would definatly come back.
ScoutWhite Pines made a really good home base for our trip. We spent most of the days checking out different spots around northwest Connecticut and came back here in the evenings. Made dinner outside, had a fire, and just relaxed. The campground itself had everything we needed without having to make a bunch of extra trips into town.
ScoutOur kids are already asking when we can go back. They loved the pool, playground and all the space to run around. We mostly just sat back and enjoyed having a few days off.
Tent camping near Storrs, Connecticut offers primitive to basic accommodations within Connecticut's varied landscapes. The region sits along the Connecticut River watershed with elevations ranging from 400-600 feet in forest areas to lower elevations along riverbanks. Fall camping temperatures typically range from 45-65°F, while summer months can reach 85°F with high humidity levels.
Water exploration: Kayaking to Selden Neck State Park requires about a 20-minute paddle across the Connecticut River from Deep River Landing boat launch. "You have to kayak or boat in. There's a boat launch across from the island on the west side of the river at Deep River Landing where you can leave your car," explains camper Jason S., who advises, "If it's a nice day, you're going to encounter some wake from passing boats so make sure your gear is in waterproof bags."
Hiking with minimal gear: The blue trail at Onion Mountain Park leads to primitive sites suitable for small tents. "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," notes Nora S., who adds practical advice for staying at this free site: "There are a lot of bugs so be prepared, and we did put a bear bag about 100 feet away."
Historic site visits: The Gillette Castle State Park Campground offers both hiking and historical exploration opportunities. "Great place for a hike or a picnic. Castle has tours at certain times," reports Todd J., making this a practical option for campers interested in combining outdoor recreation with cultural activities.
Riverside camping: At River Highlands State Park River Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to water. "The campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river," reports Alicia B., though she cautions about natural inhabitants: "As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this)."
Privacy and seclusion: The boat-in sites at Hurd State Park River Camping allow groups to create their own camping experience. "We have camped on the south end of Hurd Park several times via boat access. There's a few sites close to each other, so it is nice to go with enough people to occupy them all at once to keep it personal," shares Jackie G., who values the natural experience: "You can swim and fish and relax all day!"
Simple accommodations: Tent sites at Chapman Pond Preserve feature practical amenities. "Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view," notes Ben L. in his simple assessment of this basic but functional camping location.
Primitive conditions: Many sites around Storrs lack facilities. At Hidden Lake Farm, campers find "Quiet and Private" accommodations with basic amenities like drinking water, showers, and toilets, according to Ashley F. The farm maintains only 5 sites, creating a more intimate camping experience.
Access limitations: Several camping areas require specific transportation methods. Ricky H. clarifies about Onion Mountain Park: "Other posts claim you can park right the site, but you can not. 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."
Weather considerations: Fog can affect river and lake sites, particularly for those requiring boat access. As Jason S. experienced at Selden Neck State Park: "In the morning, we were completely socked in with fog which would have been an issue if we had to get back early. But it burned off before long and we headed back."
Scout-friendly locations: Some sites are particularly suitable for teaching camping skills. "My BSA troop has been going here for years to help new scouts learn to camp. It is a very casual site and good for your first trip," explains Marshall S. about Onion Mountain Park, adding the practical advantage that "you are close to your car and the road in case you need it so no need for a bear bag."
Water play opportunities: Riverside camping offers natural entertainment for children. At Gillette Castle State Park, Jackie G. reports, "It is amazing with the views of the CT River and being able to watch the sunrise and sunset," making it a good option for families wanting to incorporate nature observation into their camping experience.
Flat terrain options: Look for sites with level areas for easier tent setup with children. Jason S. notes that at Selden Neck State Park's Hogback site, there's "Plenty of flat area to pitch a tent, nice picnic table and fire pit," and "At low tide, a couple of beaches emerge to play on," providing natural play areas for children.
Campground improvements: When considering established campgrounds that accept both tents and RVs, research recent management changes. Brad N. reports about Sodom Mountain Campground: "This campground has improved with the new owners as of 2021," noting specifically that "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired" and "Great Wi-Fi now, store has been redone and grands are much nicer," making it more appealing for both tent campers and RVers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Storrs, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Storrs, CT is River Highlands State Park River Campground with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Storrs, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Storrs, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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