Campgrounds around Stratford, Connecticut offer varied tent and RV accommodations within 35 miles of the city. The region features elevations generally below 500 feet, with camping areas typically situated in mixed deciduous forest or along coastal areas. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day with nighttime lows around 60-65°F, creating favorable conditions for outdoor activities from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Hiking trails: Kettletown State Park features multiple trail options through wooded terrain. "The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful," notes a visitor to Kettletown, while another mentions that "Kettletown has everything you could want in a state park visit... Swimming area, Fishing area, Hiking, Woods, Camping, both primitive and hook up."
Beach access: Hammonasset State Park Campground provides direct access to Connecticut shoreline. A camper states, "Great family friendly beach campground destination. Large sights, mostly families, not loud, descent bathrooms, warm showers, nice beaches, great hiking and bird watching." The park also offers "a fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."
Water activities: Wildwood State Park Campground offers varied water recreation options including swimming and boating. "Close to the Hampton's and Fire Island National Seashore. A great family campsite right on the Long Island Sound," reports one visitor. Another mentions "sunset scenery is beautiful" despite noting the beach is "very rocky, bring your water shoes."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Sites vary significantly in privacy across campgrounds. At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, "The camping sites are very different so it's useful to go in person and select the area. Parking is close, but some of the sites are also pretty close to each other so there is less privacy." The reservation offers "shelter sites [that] are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience."
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the unspoiled environment at many locations. A visitor to Kettletown State Park describes it as "a favorite that is very close to home. It's a small camp ground and it's absolutely beautiful. The bathrooms are always kept clean and stocked and there are a ton of watering spots."
Unique accommodations: Some campgrounds offer alternatives to standard tent or RV camping. At Mountain Lakes Park, a reviewer notes, "A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in. The area, as the name implies, is home to several lakes which can be used for various recreational purposes."
What you should know
Site variations: Blydenburgh County Park offers diverse site options. "Group camping on the fox sites is accessible by a dirt drive in. I felt like I was suddenly transported upstate when in fact I had only driven 2 towns over... Group camping has a limit of 2 cars per site." The same reviewer mentioned, "Other sites were spaced enough to allow a true feeling of escaping into the woods."
Reservation timing: During peak season, securing sites requires advance planning. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, "This place can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance."
Facility conditions: Bathroom quality varies significantly between parks. A Wildwood State Park visitor noted, "Bathrooms and showers were not really clean, which was surprising because most people used their personal bathroom/shower in their RV," while at Kettletown State Park, campers mention "the bathrooms are always kept clean and stocked."
Seasonal differences: Most campgrounds in the region have different conditions and operating hours based on season. A reviewer noted Fahnestock State Park has "the beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly areas: Riverdale Farm Campsites provides dedicated facilities for children. "Great family owned business. The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice." Another camper mentioned they "did bingo and it was a blast. It was a beautiful day on the beach pond."
Open spaces: Sites with room for children to play are valuable for family camping. At Kettletown State Park, one reviewer explains why "place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!"
Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds require precautions with food storage. A Kettletown State Park visitor advises to "watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. Be sure put foods in the car!"
Beach proximity: Campgrounds with walking distance to swimming areas are popular with families. A Hammonasset camper noted, "The beach is a short walk away from the camping site, but the camp sites do fill up FAST over the summer up until school starts back up so if you plan to camp, BOOK AHEAD!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground provides various utility options. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," shares one visitor.
Site leveling: Terrain challenges affect setup at some locations. A Kettletown visitor noted their site "while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over. It was a walk up the hill to the bathhouse. No hookups."
Access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. A reviewer at Totoket Valley RV Park reported, "Small campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table," making it "a perfect campground for seeing the local area or even catching the train to New York City."
