Best RV Parks & Resorts near Stony Brook, NY

Wonderful weekend visit in the off season. Site was level, pretty spacious and easy to back into. Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid. No sewers sites that I could tell, and water was off because we were a week shy of the season opening. Needed to move to dump station prior to leaving (2 night visit) and had to drive to fill the fresh water tank once while there. Nice neighbors. Dog friendly. People obeyed the quiet hours. I have not one complaint. There were hiking trails and geocaching on site. 4 stars bc no sewer at the campsite and we like full hook ups and honestly I’m guessing this is a county rule but the playgrounds could’ve been open. Outside and socially distanced after dealing with Covid for a whole year and most local parks and playgrounds being open since last May... that was upsetting. All in all we had a great weekend. Close to the LI aquarium as well! Many stores and a golf course near by too!

This is a really nice family campground just a mile or so off I-95 in Clinton, CT. It is about 20 miles from Mystic and the historic seaport center. Most of the roads are paved, the sites are large and level, there are full hookups, and a dump station. There are a lot of seasonal residents, but still plenty of open sites for travelers. There is a playground, game room, “adult ” lounge, a laundry, a swimming pond, and river access for fishing and swimming. Internet is an extra fee! ($6/day) The road into the campground is narrow and winding, so larger RV mss as y have trouble, but there were several of them there when we were there. There is a security gate at the entrance.

Hammonasset Beach State Park Campground is huge, family-friendly, and has direct beach access from the campground. There is no lifeguard on duty at the campground beach but lifeguards patrol the beach a mile or so north within the park. Smaller (car-top) boats can be launched from this area as well.

The campsites do NOT include a fire pit (or grill). You must bring your own or there are fire tub rentals available at the campground store.

The park includes a Nature Center complete with exhibits and activities, and hiking trails. Bald eagles can be seen on the nature reserve.

Expect long lines at the state park entrance fee station on the weekend if the weather is nice.

This campsite is near the shore in my home state of CT. It took a little over an hour to get here. Our spot was near a large salt marsh.

The park and beach were full occupancy for campers without reservations. I saw no tents - maybe due to COVID. There are ample bathhouses but the one near me is locked up. I suspect the others may also be closed.

A pair of geese and their goslings came to visit. See video and pictures.

No campfires allowed without a fire pit. You can rent one at the small camp store for a $20 deposit plus $12 first night the $2 each night - pay in advance.

Sites are large and clean. My site has trees for shade and a place to hang my hammock. But the park officials made me take it down :(.

Water hookup but no electricity on our sites. Water for drinking only was on my site but you can’t connect with a hose to your camper in most of the less expensive sites. There are more expensive sites with full hookups but no Wi-Fi.

Price of my site is very affordable around $20 a night.

I saw 2 dump stations near exit. Supermarkets a few miles down the road.

Easy to walk to the beach. Plan to kayak. There is a boat launch at Meig’s Point where you can drive 100 feet from the water to unload from your car. Lovely small beaches, walkways and jetties for fishing or photos of nature.

This was a last-minute booking for us and we were delighted with the beachside cottage, with enough amenities that mom and dad did not worry we had their cutie with us for "camping". She's too little for backpacking into the woods but finally got to stay overnight and help with the campfire!

Pros

• Modern facility with full kitchen accessories (coffee maker, plates, wine opener, can opener, silverware, pots, pans, cooking utensils, toaster, oven), sponge/dish liquid. Microwave.1
• Clean interior, clean campground
• modern cottage with propane fireplace, WiFi access, bathroom with shower, large screened in porch with bar height table and 4 chairs, deck with chaise lounges, two bedrooms (1 with 2 twin beds, 1 with full), coach, chairs, plenty of clean storage places and hooks. You have everything but bedding, food, drinks, and personal items.
• cottages far enough away from each other
• fire ring with Adirondack chairs
• dumpster and recycling within walking distance
• lots of bone dry firewood around for campfire
• walkable beach
• beautiful
• wildlife: deer, rabbits, turtles

Cons

• a bit pricey
• playground is driving distance not walking

The beach area is very user-friendly with several parking lots as well as pavilions to break from the sun. Large bathrooms with showers and dressing rooms complete the amenities and several vending machines for snacks are available. Lots of shells and rocks so bring shoes. 

In addition to the beach, there is a beautiful area adjacent known as Meig's Point. It is here you can follow a short trail through a partially wooded area straddling the beach. The beach is littered with boulders deposited by the glaciers. The views are beautiful and the rocks and stony beach give a connection to the time of the glaciers. Two information kiosks help to explain the evolution of the area. Across from here is a bucolic salt march. Beyond that is the nature center, another area to investigate.

   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. They divide the loops with names. I unfortunately chose Pequot. This loop has THE WORST bathrooms/showers on the South side of the campground. Looks like they were built in 1950s with rotten wood siding. Dirty. The showers were outside the bathroom- there was a bench & hooks OUTSIDE! We found out all the other loops had modern bathhouses.

 My first impression of this campground is it's loud, crazy busy & there's traffic noise from the beach road. I actually liked it! This is a fun campground for families. There were kids on bikes, scooters, skateboards,roller blades. Watch your speed! They don't always watch out for your car.

  I found out most people stay through Sunday & leave on Monday. There were still lots of campers left. Lots of tent campers. 

   I chose site 14 on the Pequot Loop because I thought I would have a view of one of the ponds. There was tall vegetation, so that was out.

 The sites on the other side of the loop were right by the main beach road. Noisy during the day, but quiet at night. 

  There are some sites with shade, but most are sunny. 

   There's no electricity at most of the sites. Our site was full sun(yay for the solar panel!). On Beach Road in the campground there's 2 rows of full hookup sites, but they go FAST! I tried.

NO PETS! Including dogs.

   No WiFi, but there's cell service. At least 5 dump stations. 

 The beach was popular. 

  There was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in. 

 They have a beautiful Nature Center. A couple of easy hikes through one of the preserves.

  This was a good base camp for the area. Gillette Castle & other state parks are within driving distance. Connecticut is a beautiful state!!