Best Campgrounds near West Haven, CT

West Haven is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Connecticut camping adventure.

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Best Camping Sites Near West Haven, Connecticut (80)

    1. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 245-1817

    $20 - $70 / night

    "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."

    "   I had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.

        Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground."

    2. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $17 - $50 / night

    "We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. 

    This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "

    "Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."

    3. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $250 / night

    "The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility.

    There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."

    "However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."

    4. Riverdale Farm Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 669-5388

    "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."

    "Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"

    5. Totoket Valley RV Park

    1 Review
    North Branford, CT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 484-0099

    $55 / night

    7. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 583-3300

    "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."

    8. CRAIG'S place

    Be the first to review!
    Woodbridge, CT
    5 miles
    +1 (413) 250-9716

    $40 / night

    9. Gentiles Campground

    7 Reviews
    Plymouth, CT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8437

    $55 - $150 / night

    "Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."

    "There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"

    10. Indian Island County Park

    10 Reviews
    Riverhead, NY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-3232

    "Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."

    "The beach was within walking distance, lots of little trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family. The bathrooms were mostly clean, and the shower was hot."

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Recent Reviews near West Haven, CT

436 Reviews of 80 West Haven Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • j
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great!

    Great spot with view of harbor, a pool, bathroom and power if needed. Easy to book, good location- near many places of interest.

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    I mean wow!!

    So much going on! They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT.

    We had tried to get a deluxe location and not completely booked. This is the weekend before Labor Day and they were vanishing point the owner / shuttle driver, John, asked us if we would want to move on Sunday after a bunch of people moved out. And we said absolutely because we're going to be here for 3 more nights.

    And it is huge and amazing! If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • J
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Our go-to spot

    My wife and I love this campground. It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    Great amenities, staff and location

    Charming, full of wonderful amenities and nice extras. Nice staff, fun coin scavenger hunt, great pool, well stocked store, wide sites, lots of grass/trees and space to stretch out. Missing full hook ups but the staff and overall vibe more than make up for it. Community garden was something we hadn’t seen before - super fun.

  • John K.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Perfect place

    We stayed there with our RV for 2 nights.  We had a spot right next to the pool and the docks. Very convenient.  The staff does a great job.

  • Alicia B.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    River Highlands State Park River Campground

    Beautiful But Beware of Arachnids

    We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river. As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this). Otherwise, it’s a peaceful and scenic spot worth seeing!


Guide to West Haven

Camping near West Haven, Connecticut, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. One visitor mentioned, "The NYS Parks has done a lot of work on the surrounding trails," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and sand at Hammonasset State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "The beach was popular," perfect for swimming or relaxing.
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Wilderness Lake Park. One camper shared, "The lake is nice and the hiking is good," highlighting the dual opportunities for fun.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A visitor at Hammonasset State Park Campground said, "We have always found the family restroom... in great condition."
  • Family Activities: Many campgrounds offer activities for kids. One family at Brialee Family Campground mentioned, "The activities were great and kept my grandchildren busy."
  • Scenic Views: Campers enjoy the natural beauty. A reviewer at Wildwood State Park Campground said, "The beach is in walking distance... you can swim or fish there."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Kettletown State Park Campground noted, "Things were loud well past midnight," which might not be ideal for those seeking peace.
  • Site Privacy: Privacy can vary. A camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "Some sites are grouped in open areas. These lack privacy."
  • Booking in Advance: Popular spots fill up quickly. A family at Hammonasset State Park Campground advised, "If you are looking for a site it’s best to book far in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One parent at Brialee Family Campground said, "The sand beach is great for the kids."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring your own fire pit or rent one from the camp store. A visitor at Hammonasset State Park Campground mentioned, "You need to either bring your own fire pit or rent one from the store."
  • Plan for Noise: If your family needs quiet time, consider visiting during off-peak times. A camper at Wildwood State Park Campground noted, "When I plan my trip around... weekends that look sparse it is quiet."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Mystic KOA said, "Tight site & hard to get in/out for big rig."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups. One camper at Wilderness Lake Park mentioned, "The campground is kind of a random mix of full-time, seasonal, and overnight people."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Bring gear for all weather conditions. A visitor at Rocky Neck State Park Campground noted, "The beach area is large & very nice with outside showers for rinsing off the beach sand."

Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, camping near West Haven, CT, has something to offer everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at West Haven?

Camping costs in the West Haven area vary by campground type and amenities. At state parks like Kettletown State Park Campground, rates typically run around $30-35 per night for standard sites without hookups. Private campgrounds offer different pricing structures - Wolf's Den Family Campground provides more amenities but at higher rates. Always check if there are additional vehicle fees or non-resident surcharges when camping at Connecticut state parks, as these can add to your total cost.

Where is the West Haven Campground located?

West Haven is located along the southern coast of Connecticut, with several nearby camping options. Hammonasset State Park Campground is one of the closest options, situated on Connecticut's shoreline with beautiful beach access. For those looking to explore the eastern side of the region, Rocky Neck State Park Campground is located on Long Island Sound. Both offer convenient access to the West Haven area while providing coastal camping experiences with beach access.

What amenities are available at West Haven Campground?

Campgrounds near West Haven offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Niantic KOA provides comprehensive facilities including shuttle service to nearby beaches, swimming pools, and organized activities for both adults and children. For a more rustic experience, Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground offers basic amenities with sites marked by posts, though campers note the proximity between sites. Most campgrounds in the area feature restrooms, shower facilities, and access to recreational activities like hiking trails, with some offering camp stores for essential supplies.