Tolland, Connecticut sits within Connecticut's Quiet Corner at elevations ranging between 600-800 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of rolling woodland, small lakes, and historic New England towns. Campgrounds near Tolland typically open between mid-April and early May, with night temperatures often dropping 15-20 degrees lower than daytime readings throughout camping season.
What to do
Hiking forest trails: Less than 30 minutes from Tolland, Douglas State Forest offers extensive woodland hiking opportunities. "You're literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical," notes a visitor to Douglas Forest RV Resort. The forest features several well-marked trails through diverse terrain.
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds feature small lakes or ponds for summer activities. At Wilderness Lake Park, "The lake was quiet and we saw kids swimming in it in the morning. There was a hiking trail on the property and the host mentioned they were building a Disc Golf course." Paddle sports are particularly accessible as some parks provide complimentary equipment: "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake."
Golf opportunities: Some rv parks near Tolland include golf facilities, though quality varies significantly. Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts features a 9-hole course, but recent visitors note maintenance concerns: "The greens have not been cared for in 10+ years. The only folks I ever saw use the course were taking drunken hacks more like weed eating than golfing."
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Several campgrounds in the Tolland region provide well-designed camping areas. "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it. It was a quiet area with ponds and creeks and a generally relaxing setting," reports a visitor to Aces High RV Park. Premium sites at some locations feature concrete pads and patios.
Woodland privacy: Tent campers particularly appreciate secluded spots available at certain parks. One camper at Wilderness Lake Park shared: "Tent sites are nice and isolated, but not scary far apart. Lots of wildlife so keep your food sealed... Nice walking trails and free kayaks as available." Several campgrounds maintain tent-specific areas separated from RV sections.
Proximity to attractions: The location between major regional destinations makes camping near Tolland convenient. "20-minutes drive to Mystic and all the touristy stuff to see and do," notes a camper at Aces High RV Park. Sun Outdoors Mystic visitors appreciate similar convenience: "This park is in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most camping facilities require advance booking, with many demanding full payment upfront. One visitor to Camp Coldbrook noted: "We reserved it months ago and should have suspected something when they demanded payment in full up front." Booking lead times extend significantly during peak periods.
Cash-only policies: Several campgrounds maintain cash-only payment systems. A visitor to Countryside RV Park shared: "Beautiful, family owned & run, quiet, large sites. Close to I-395." Another campground requires: "Cash or Venmo only so be prepared."
