Connecticut's shoreline offers diverse cabin camping and glamping options close to Greenport, New York, with most sites situated within a 40-mile radius across Long Island Sound. The region features a mix of state parks and private campgrounds, with many operating seasonally from April through October. Most facilities maintain quiet hours starting at 10 PM, and several provide access to sandy beaches along Connecticut's 96-mile shoreline.
What to do
Hiking trails and wildlife viewing: At Rocky Neck State Park Campground, nature trails connect campsites to beaches and forested areas. "I've lived in CT all my life but never used the Rocky Neck State Park Campground until now. The campgrounds are named after water fowl: Crane, Egret, Osprey, Heron etc.," notes one visitor who spotted diverse wildlife throughout the grounds.
Kayaking and boat access: Indian Island County Park provides water-based recreation with designated launch areas. "You are a short walk from beach access and kayak launch. There is a playground for kids and clean facilities," reports a camper who enjoys weekend trips to the park.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds close to Greenport offer planned events throughout their operating season. At Strawberry Park, activities continue regardless of weather. "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade... Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"
What campers like
Beach access: Many campgrounds near the Greenport area feature coastal proximity. "The beach is a short drive on site and the showers were one site over. I had a great time," shares a visitor at Rocky Neck State Park. Another camper at Indian Island County Park notes, "The beaches, picnic areas and hiking trails were clean and clearly marked."
Bathroom facilities: Wildwood State Park Campground receives praise for its amenities. "Among the most modern bathrooms I've seen at a State Park campground. Nice clean campground with the usual NY State Park quality. Some accessible facilities, including swimming and camping."
Campsite layout and features: Sites vary significantly across facilities. A camper at Wildwood State Park explained, "There are platform sites so I can place my tent on a concrete or wooden platform." Some campgrounds require more planning: "Every campsite has its own fire pit with a grill attachment and a picnic table. My site was tent only and you couldn't pull your car up to the site so unloading and loading was a hassle."
What you should know
Fire ring access: Not all campgrounds include fire pits with sites. At Indian Island County Park, a camper noted: "The only reason I gave 4 stars is because the campsites don't come with a fire ring. Not sure if this is because of maintenance, but it just wasn't super apparent until we got there."
Reservation timing: Due to their popularity, luxury camping options near Greenport fill quickly. The campgrounds typically open reservations 9-12 months in advance, particularly for weekend dates between May and September.
Off-season options: Mystic KOA and several other facilities remain open beyond the typical summer season. "Spent the 4th of July here several years ago, don't recall much except there were fireworks," mentions a visitor, highlighting that holiday weekends feature special activities but tend to book even further in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation amenities: Riverdale Farm Campsites offers family-friendly features. "Great place to hang with friends and family, lots of activities, clean bathrooms," reports one visitor. Another adds, "We did bingo and it was a blast. It was a beautiful day on the beach pond. They had great prizes for cheap cost."
Consider mid-week visits: Most glamping accommodations near Greenport experience significantly reduced occupancy Tuesday through Thursday, often with discounted rates. "We spent three months there... Our site was roomy and for the most part all functioned as it was supposed to," notes a long-term visitor.
Check for shuttles: Transportation options make exploration easier for families. At Niantic KOA, one visitor reports, "You might have to change spots but I don't care. They are so easy to work with."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Wolf's Den Family Campground offers convenient services. "Only electric 30 or 50A, and water; but there are a few dumpstations around in the camp. Very peaceful," reports one RVer. Another notes the specific amenities: "Grey dump at site. Power and water at every site. Very very clean. 50x30 sites common."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have access limitations. "The road into the campground is narrow and winding, so larger RVs may have trouble, but there were several of them there when we were there," shares a visitor to Riverdale Farm Campsites. At Wolf's Den, a camper noted: "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers."
Seasonal considerations: RVers should note operating schedules when planning glamping trips near Greenport. Most campgrounds fully open in May, though some like Mystic KOA operate year-round with limited amenities in winter months.
