Cabin camping opportunities near Laurel span from Long Island Sound to the Connecticut River Valley. Most campgrounds in this area operate from April through October with peak season falling between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Water recreation forms the backbone of the camping experience here, with sites typically located within walking distance of beaches, ponds, or lakes.
What to do
Beach access at Smith Point County Park: Located in Shirley, this campground places visitors steps from Atlantic Ocean beaches. "Truly great spot. Amazing sites with plenty of room, though they are close together. But was worth it for the amenities and fantastic views. Stayed on the bayside (site 30), which had a fantastic direct bay view," reports one camper at Smith Point County Park.
Wine tasting in Long Island wine country: Wildwood State Park serves as an ideal base for exploring nearby vineyards. "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)," notes a visitor at Wildwood State Park Campground.
Hiking on maintained trails: Rocky Neck State Park offers walking paths along the Connecticut shoreline. "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 and available mountain bike and hiking trails," explains a regular visitor.
What campers like
North Shore beach experience: Wildwood State Park provides a distinctive coastline setting. "The North Shore and South Shore are pretty different. This site gives you the North Shore experience with high bluffs, sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound, and views of CT across the water. Lots of other nice Long Island attractions (Riverhead Aquarium, Greek restaurants, farmer's markets, etc.)."
Pond swimming at Odetah: Unlike oceanfront properties, this inland glamping option near Laurel offers controlled swimming areas. "This place has everything from a pool, splash pad, boats, food, ice cream, lots of activities, friendly helpful staff, and nice shaded spacious sites," shares a visitor at Odetah Camping Resort.
Proximity to cultural attractions: The historic Goodspeed Opera House stands nearby Wolf's Den Family Campground. "This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River. You need to cross the river via bridge to Goodspeed Opera house and past to get to the RV campground. Nearby attractions are Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera."
What you should know
Limited privacy at oceanfront sites: Smith Point County Park's waterfront location comes with tradeoffs. "Close sites with no privacy. Short walk to beach," notes one camper succinctly. Many beachfront sites throughout the region have similar spacing issues due to terrain constraints.
Fire ring policies vary by park: Some campgrounds don't provide fire rings as standard amenities. "We had a great time at Indian Island, even if it was just for a short stay. The beach was within walking distance, lots of little trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family. The only reason I gave 4 stars is because the campsites don't come with a fire ring," explains a visitor at Indian Island County Park.
Seasonal limitations and early closings: Many glamping facilities near Laurel close during winter months. Riverdale Farm has a defined operating window: "We stayed only one night. 50€ has the for a smaller camper cost. In October. The sanitary facilities were very clean and the staff friendly. We were almost alone there."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated kid activities: Some parks organize regular events specifically for children. "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. Very enjoyable time," shares a family who visited Wolf's Den Family Campground.
Consider tent location relative to bathrooms: At larger parks, tent sites may be positioned far from facilities. "Staying on the phones in the middle of the night while talking so loud that all camping neighbors can hear their whole story. However the walk to the beach area was very serene, especially early morning before sunrise."
Pack water shoes for rocky beaches: Long Island Sound beaches often have rougher terrain than ocean beaches. "Nice size camp site, bathrooms are descent, lame not having a fire ring, you have to rent one or bring your own. Beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful! Kids were roaming freely and safe!"
Tips from RVers
Book waterfront sites well in advance: Premium locations with water views fill quickly at Riverdale Farm Campsites. "Great Value and Nice Family owned business. 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. They did a show on the beach one night that was fun too."
Consider site location relative to activities: Some parks have distinct camping areas with different ambiance. "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," advises an RVer describing the layout at Mystic KOA.
Verify hookup availability: Some parks offer limited electric service. "Nice location but previous campers did not clean up after their visit. Shore power was without any problems and park has clean heated bathroom and bike station near dump site."
