Burlingame State Park Campground offers a massive camping experience with over 700 sites spread across 3,100 acres near West Mystic, Connecticut. The park maintains year-round camping access with varied seasonal amenities and operates within close driving distance of Connecticut's casino attractions. Most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping with primitive to full-hookup options available throughout the connected camping areas.
What to do
Beach exploration: Mystic area beaches provide alternatives to the theme park attractions. At Rocky Neck State Park Campground, campers appreciate the short walk to shoreline. As one visitor notes, "My family has camped at Rocky Neck every year since i was a child. Every site had a central bathhouse and they have a variety of tree covering options for each campers preferences. The campsite is only a short walk from the beach."
Water activities: Connecticut lakes and rivers offer cooling recreation during summer months. Hidden Acres Campground provides river access for tubing and swimming. A camper explains, "We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night. Definitely be sure to grab a snack at the food hit they have. Very good food."
Casino proximity: Several campgrounds position themselves as alternatives to casino hotels for visitors to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. Odetah Camping Resort stands out in this category. One reviewer mentioned, "Organized events, cafe on site and quick drive (or Uber ride) to Mohegan Sun."
What campers like
Large campgrounds: The scale of campgrounds near West Mystic varies dramatically. Burlingame State Park Campground offers an enormous footprint. One camper describes, "Burlingame is a HUGE state park campground with over 700 sites. The location is fantastic, but with this many sites (so, with this many people), there are bound to be pros and cons."
Transportation services: Some glamping locations close to West Mystic, Connecticut provide shuttle services to local attractions. Niantic KOA offers this amenity. As one camper states, "They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT."
Camping variety: The region offers true primitive camping to luxury accommodations. Burlingame State Park Campground provides both experiences. According to a visitor, "Real camping atmosphere - fire rings at each site, wooded sites (and open grass sites if you like that better). Wildlife (listening to the several types of owls is a favorite pastime at night)."
What you should know
Size considerations: Campgrounds in the region vary from intimate settings to massive operations. Strawberry Park falls into the latter category with 550 sites. A visitor notes, "Large campground with 3 pools, many amenities and scheduled activities."
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping options operate between April and October. According to reviewers, shoulder seasons offer better experiences. A camper at Burlingame observed, "Avoid holiday weekends and the heat of August if you can. Be prepared for dirty restrooms and come armed with hand soap (they no longer provide any), paper towels, and Clorox wipes."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise from nearby interstates. Ross Hill Park has waterfront sites but urban sounds. A camper points out, "The campground is set on the Q River and if you're lucky enough to see it from your site it's beautiful. The campground CAN get packed but everyone is polite."
Tips for camping with families
Dedicated facilities: Family-friendly campgrounds maintain child-specific amenities. Sunfox Campground offers unique features. A visitor mentions, "They have a beautiful pool, playground and a large jumping pillow like a huge trampoline you can't fall off of. There is a beautiful creek that many of the sites border."
Holiday events: Seasonal celebrations create memorable family experiences. Odetah Camping Resort structures programming around holidays. One camper recalled, "We went two years in a row each on Halloween! They had great amenities and activities for the kids. Plus a costume contest and tricker treating."
Budget options: State parks offer more affordable family camping near attractions. Rocky Neck State Park Campground provides value with beach access. A visitor states, "Great family campground. Hiking trails along the coast line."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers note significant differences between campsites. At Mystic KOA, site location matters. One RVer advises, "If you want to be up near the action– pool, bar car, and other activities– get a site in the front section. We wanted to be as far away from that as possible."
Service limitations: Full-hookup sites require advance booking. Niantic KOA offers alternatives. A camper notes, "No sewer hook up, but they do provide a honey wagon pump service, once, free of charge. They say you can request additional pumps for a fee, if necessary."
Quiet zone needs: Several campgrounds manage noise through site location. Sunfox Campground offers a more peaceful experience. One RVer shares, "This is a quant campground geared towards families being out together. They have a beautiful pool, playground and a large jumping pillow."
