Best Campgrounds in Connecticut
Connecticut campgrounds offer a mix of developed sites and cabin facilities throughout the state's diverse regions. Hammonasset State Park Campground and Rocky Neck State Park Campground provide waterfront camping experiences along Connecticut's shoreline, while inland locations like Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest offer more secluded woodland settings. Many campgrounds across Connecticut accommodate various camping styles, with facilities supporting tent campers, RV enthusiasts, and those seeking cabin accommodations or glamping experiences at places like Brialee Family Campground or Mystic KOA.
Reservations are strongly recommended at Connecticut campgrounds, especially during the peak summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day when most state park campgrounds operate. Campers at Brialee Family Campground note that "the cabin was absolutely beautiful and clean. The activities were great and kept my grand children busy." Connecticut campgrounds typically open from late May through early September, though some private campgrounds like Mystic KOA offer year-round accessibility. Sites with water and electric hookups are common at both state and private campgrounds, while many state park campgrounds provide basic amenities including showers, toilets and picnic areas, though alcohol is prohibited at most state park facilities.
The camping experience varies significantly between Connecticut's coastal and inland campgrounds. Shoreline camping at places like Hammonasset and Rocky Neck provides beach access and water activities, while the state's forested campgrounds offer more traditional woodland experiences with hiking trails and fishing opportunities. As one visitor to Charlie Brown Campground noted, "Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built-in entertainment for the kids!" Private campgrounds frequently offer more extensive amenities and planned activities compared to state parks, particularly for families with children. Many Connecticut campgrounds feature swimming areas, whether at beaches along the coast or at inland lakes and ponds, providing popular summer recreation opportunities when temperatures typically range from the 70s to 80s Fahrenheit.
