Camping areas near Willimantic, Connecticut offer diverse landscapes within the eastern Connecticut highlands, where elevations range from 200-500 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures typically ranging between 75-85°F during peak camping months. Local campgrounds leverage the area's natural waterways, particularly the Natchaug River watershed, which provides recreational opportunities beyond the developed camping facilities.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Taylor Pond is accessible from Wilderness Lake Park and makes "a great hike to bring both kids and pets," according to Kailie G., who noted it was "perfect for us and our dog."
River tubing: The Natchaug River at Charlie Brown Campground offers "tubing down the river" with rentals available on-site. As Michael notes, "Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built in entertainment for the kids!"
Fishing opportunities: Devils Hopyard State Park Campground provides trout fishing access with minimal crowds. Allan D. mentions it's a "Great place for opening day of trout. Small little campground located in an amazing beautiful park. Go here every spring for opening day of fishing season and camp the entire weekend."
Free paddling options: Some locations offer complimentary watercraft use, as Rob L. described at Wilderness Lake Park: "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake" which allows campers to explore without additional rental costs.
What campers like
Private waterfront spots: Nickerson Park Family Campground offers riverside sites that feel secluded. Jason E. appreciated that "We got a nice spot backing up to the river. Very secluded, clean sites." These waterfront locations provide direct water access without crossing through other camping areas.
Off-season accessibility: Several campgrounds operate extended seasons. Amy P. notes that Nickerson Park provides "Nice spots on the Natchaug River in Chaplin, CT" even during shoulder seasons when other facilities have closed.
Quiet wooded sites: Hopeville Pond State Park Campground offers specific loops with greater privacy. Cynthia K. recommends: "If you are looking for privacy and quiet, I recommend the F Loop. The other loops have sites close together and it is generally quite loud during the day."
Dog-specific amenities: Beyond standard pet-friendly policies, some campgrounds feature dedicated canine areas. Rob L. noted at Waters Edge that "We've been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park."
What you should know
Site selection matters: At many campgrounds, noise levels vary significantly by location. Shannon B. notes at Devils Hopyard: "Sites are very close together and little privacy, but our site [20] was by far the most private (set back a little so bushes covered us from neighbors) and one of the largest sites on the campground."
Tick awareness: Wooded campsites throughout the region can harbor ticks. As one camper at Devils Hopyard warns: "Be very careful with ticks, there were tons of them under our picnic table and by the campfire. Our 2 nights we found over 25 ticks."
Cash or electronic payment: Some smaller campgrounds have specific payment requirements. At Wilderness Lake, a reviewer noted: "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared." Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods.
Seasonal restrictions: Dog-friendly campgrounds near Willimantic often have different policies during peak versus off-peak seasons. Brialee Family Campground provides separate pet beaches during summer months, with one reviewer noting: "Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs."
Tips for camping with families
Weekday visits for quiet: For families with young children or seeking more tranquility, weekday camping offers a different experience. At Wilderness Lake Park, one camper observed: "Almost nobody around mid week August. As prev reviews, woodsy, moderately secluded up in tent area."
Playground access: Odetah Camping Resort offers multiple play areas. Erich P. describes it as having "everything from a pool, splash pad, boats, food, ice cream, lots of activities, friendly helpful staff, delivery to your site from the camp store and nice shaded spacious sites."
Family-focused weekends: Some campgrounds specifically design programming for families. At Brialee, Linda L. mentions, "They make sure the weekends are for families" with Christine M. adding there are "Plenty of activities and things for kids to do; Rec hall, mini golf, shuffleboard, beach, pool, playground."
Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping, cabin options provide comfort while experiencing campground activities. At Brialee, one family shared: "The cabin was absolutely beautiful and clean. The activities were great and kept my grand children busy."
Tips from RVers
Gray water only sites: RV campers should note that some riverfront campgrounds restrict black water disposal. Johnny W. mentions at Charlie Brown Campground: "Grey dump only due to river so no biggie. Staff was friendly and there was some stuff to do."
Late checkout options: When traveling with an RV, extra departure time can be valuable. Michael at Charlie Brown Campground noted: "We did a late checkout for $5 extra, but the noon checkout and two dump stations would make leaving on time a non-issue as well."
Parking accessibility: Some campgrounds provide escort service to help RVers navigate to their sites. Rob L. at Wilderness Lake Park appreciated that "a kid (maybe early 20s) greeted us at our truck and showed us where to pull over for our paperwork. He escorted us to our site and made sure we had everything we needed as we set up."
Firewood delivery: Many campgrounds offer convenience services specifically helpful for RVers. As one camper at Charlie Brown Campground noted: "Wood delivery is awesome especially since tent area is a slight distance from office, but that is also a bonus so you're away from the RV sites."
