Connecticut is known for its lovely shoreline and its rolling green meadows, so it shouldn't be a surprise that beautiful campgrounds can be found all over the state. There's something to suit every type of camper; the adventurous types can spend their time canoeing into the boater's campground in Hurd State Park or getting lost in the magnificent Pachaug State Forest, while families can head somewhere like the Odetah Camping Resort or the Water’s Edge Family Campground. If you're feeling ready to pitch a tent and build a campfire, here are the best campgrounds in Connecticut.
Salt Rock State Forest
Consisting of 149 acres of forested land that used to be a farm, the Salt Rock State Forest is home to a peaceful campground with just over 70 campsites for both tents and RVs. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and unlike most other state campgrounds in Connecticut, the park features plenty of modern amenities, including two seasonal outdoor pools, an RV dump station, and hot showers. The campground is also right next to the Shetucket River, which is excellent for fishing, and there are plenty of beautiful walking trails that run along the riverside.
173 Scotland Rd, Baltic, CT 06330, Phone: 860-822-0884
Odetah Camping Resort
Boasting a private sandy beach, a hot tub, and plenty of games and activities for people of all ages, the Odetah Camping Resort is the perfect place to bring the whole family for a stress-free holiday. A wide variety of campsites are available, ranging from simple tent sites to RV sites with full hookups, and there are also yurts and cabins for rent if you want to make your stay as easy as possible. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at all campsites, and the campground regularly hosts events and activities like bingo nights, crafts, and movies on the beach.
38 Bozrah St Ext #1300, Bozrah, CT 06334, Phone: 860-889-4144
Water’s Edge Family Campground
Set on the southern tip of a ten-acre lake, the Water’s Edge Family Campground is another family-friendly campground with enough things to keep you busy for a weekend, a week, or the whole summer. The lake is wonderful for swimming and canoeing, and it's also kept well stocked with fish, although only catch and release fishing is permitted here. Other popular activities include playing bingo and pool, relaxing on the beach, and participating in the campground's potluck dinners. Both tents and RV sites are available, and there's also a spacious group site with shared fire pits and a communal picnic pavilion.
271 Leonard Bridge Rd, Lebanon, CT 06249, Phone: 860-642-7470
Tamarack Lodge & Indie Glamping
An enticing blend of old and new, the Tamarack Lodge & Indie Glamping is a historic resort with plenty of space to pitch a tent or park an RV. It's perfect for family reunions, girls' getaways, and other gatherings, and there are a handful of 1950s-style cabins that can be booked as well. The 28-acre property offers plenty of space for lawn games, and guests can also rent canoes and kayaks to use on the beautiful pond. If you want to pamper yourself, the lodge even offers delicious catering services so you don't have to worry about cooking.
21 10 Rod Rd, Voluntown, CT 06384, Phone: 860-376-0224
Witch Meadow Lake Campground, CT
Named for its location in Salem, the town famous for its 17th-century witch trials, the Witch Meadow Lake Campground is a resort-style campground with plenty of amenities. The forested property offers some beautiful walking trails, and there are clean, modern restrooms and showers for all campers to use. Both a pool and a lake with a sandy beach are available for swimming, and there's an arcade room, a children's playground, and a small store where you can pick up camping necessities. On the weekends, the campground staff also arrange fun kids' activities to keep younger visitors entertained.
139 Witch Meadow Rd, Salem, CT 06420, Phone: 860-859-1542
Charlie Brown Campground, Connecticut
Surrounded by more than 12,000 acres of state forests and parks, the Charlie Brown Campground is a picturesque campground that provides easy access to some of the most beautiful nature in Connecticut. The grassy sites have enough space for a large RV, and they all have picnic tables, fire rings, and access to shared restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. The campground is equipped with modern amenities like Wi-Fi, cable TV, and a big screen TV in the rec room, but if you want an even more luxurious stay, you can book one of the comfortably furnished cabins.
98 Chaplin Rd, Eastford, CT 06242, Phone: 860-974-0142
Pachaug State Forest
Encompassing more than 27,000 acres of woodland, the Pachaug State Forest is the largest state forest in Connecticut, and it offers three different campgrounds to choose from. The Mt. Misery Campground and the Green Falls Campground are both relatively small, but they boast peaceful wooded tent sites, and it's possible to fish and swim either right in the campground or somewhere nearby. If you're planning on bringing your horse, you can also stay at the Frog Hollow Horse Camp, which has semi-wooded sites and provides easy access to some of the forest's most beautiful equestrian-friendly trails.
Gillette Castle State Park
The Gillette Castle is an architectural masterpiece designed by actor William Gillette, and while it's possible to visit it on a day trip, it's even better to spend a night camping in the Gillette Castle State Park. The campsites are located right on the Connecticut River, and they can only be reached by boat, although visitors should be aware that there are no docking facilities. The campground is open between the beginning of May and the end of September, and because of site's popularity, stays of longer than one night are not permitted. Reservations are recommended.
Straddling the border between the towns of Lyme and East Haddam, the Gillette Castle State Park was originally the private residence of William Gillette. The castle was built in 1919 within 184-acres of land atop a chain of hills known as the Seven Sisters. Designed by Gillette himself, the castle may look like a medieval fortress on the outside, but its interiors showcase his creativity. Within the castle grounds, there are ruins of a stone bridge that can be explored along with other works of art at the museum and the castle library.
In the rest of state park, visitors can explore the Connecticut River. Several miles of hiking trails weave throughout the park, allowing eager explorers to immerse themselves in the greenery around the Gillette Castle. More leisurely trips to the state park are made exceptional with a meal at the picnic area, while other visitors can spend a night under the stars at three public camps around the parks.
67 River Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423, Phone: 860-526-2336
Black Rock State Park
Nestled in the rolling hills of Connecticut's Western Highlands, Black Rock State Park is named for the graphite lead found in the area, and it's a fantastic place to relax and unwind. The rustic campground offers 78 sites, and although the facilities are limited to restrooms and picnic tables, there are endless hiking trails in the surrounding area, with options ranging from short strolls to full-day adventures. Campers can also swim at the nearby beach. Alcohol and pets are both prohibited in the campground, and visitors should be aware that parking fees and camping fees are charged separately.
2065 Thomaston Rd, Watertown, CT 06795, Phone: 860-283-8088
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Stretching for more than two miles along Long Island Sound, Hammonasset Beach State Park is the longest stretch of public beach in Connecticut. The beach can get quite busy during the summer, but it has plenty of space to swim and sunbathe, and there's also a charming boardwalk. There are also more than 550 campsites to choose from, and amenities include restrooms with hot showers, a dump station for RVs, and a camp store. However, fire pits are not provided. The campground is open between Memorial Day and mid-October, and reservations are strongly recommended, particularly on summer weekends.
Beach and watersports are equally enjoyable, but for those who want to simply relax, working on your tan is just as acceptable. At any time of the year, strolling along the boardwalk at the state park is a lovely way to stretch your legs and get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. For those who want a little more physical activity, you can set off on one of the park’s walking trails, go bicycling through the trails or participate in car-top boating. Make sure to pack a picnic lunch and your choice of non-alcoholic beverages to complete your day at the beach or to pack a tent if you want to take advantage of the fantastic camping facilities at Hammonasset Beach.
1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, Phone: 203-245-2785
Housatonic Meadows State Park
Established in 1927,Housatonic Meadows State Park is a practically untouched piece of nature hidden away in the state's upper highlands. Many of the campsites are set right on the riverbank and surrounded by towering pine trees, and campground amenities include restrooms, drinking water, and trash removal.
None of the sites have hookups, but there are four rustic cabins available for rent, each of which can accommodate up to six people. The river water is too cold to swim, but it's wonderful for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing, and there's a two-mile stretch reserved for fly fishing.
90 US-7, Sharon, CT 06069, Phone: 860-672-6772
Hurd State Park
Accessible only by canoe or kayak, the campground at Hurd State Park is the perfect place to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Connecticut River. There's only space for 12 people, but reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Open fires are not allowed, but fire rings are provided, and other amenities include pit toilets and picnic tables with shelters. Campers are welcome between the beginning of May and the end of September, and it's kindly asked that you limit your stay to a single night and break camp by 9 a.m.
74 Hurd Park Rd, East Hampton, CT 06424, Phone: 860-295-9523
Kettletown State Park
Located on the shores of Lake Zoar, Kettletown State Park offers a beautiful campground with a shady picnic area. Both forest and field sites are available, and although none of the sites have hook-ups, there's a rustic cabin you can stay in if you want a bit of extra comfort. Campers with the correct permits are welcome to fish in the lake, but swimming is not allowed because of poor water quality. However, if you want to cool off, there's a small creek with several pools where you can dip your feet. A parking fee is charged on weekends and holidays
1400 Georges Hill Rd, Southbury, CT 06488, Phone: 203-264-5678
Lake Waramaug State Park
Set on the shore of one the most beautiful bodies of water in Connecticut, Lake Waramaug State Park is a small but scenic park with 76 campsites and six rustic cabins for visitors who want to stay the night. The campsites are all located quite close to each other, but they're nice and spacious, and they're equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. There are also several communal picnic shelters on the lakeshore, and the water is excellent for swimming and boating. Canoes and kayaks can be rented on-site, and there's a simple boat launch not far from the campground.
30 Lake Waramaug Rd, New Preston, CT 06777, Phone: 860-868-2592
Macedonia Brook State Park
Best known for its spectacular hiking, Macedonia Brook State Park is a beautiful piece of land dotted with picturesque mountains and rushing streams. The campground is quite rustic, but it offers 51 sites, and there are restrooms and picnic tables for campers to use. There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from, but the most popular is the Blue Trail, which crosses Cobble Mountain and provides incredible views of the mountains near and far. Alcohol and pets are both prohibited in the campground, although leashed dogs are allowed on the hiking trails if you'd like to bring your pet for the day.
159 Macedonia Brook Rd, Kent, CT 06757, Phone: 860-927-4100
Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Home to the legendary Wolf Den National Historic Site, Mashamoquet Brook State Park has two separate camping areas to choose from. The Wolf Den Campground has 35 sites, some of which can accommodate RVs, and there are modern restrooms and showers for campers to use. If you're looking for a more rustic experience, you can stay at the smaller Mashamoquet Brook Campground, which offers 18 shady campsites and simple composting toilets. No matter which campground you stay in, the park has plenty of things to keep you entertained, including a swimming beach, a few hiking trails, and a stream for fishing.
276 Mashamoquet Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259, Phone: 860-928-6121
Rocky Neck State Park
Tucked in between a tidal river and a salt marsh on Long Island Sound, Rocky Neck State Park is a fantastic destination for swimming, fishing, crabbing, and other water-based recreational activities. The park boasts one of the most pleasant white sand beaches in the state, which features a long jetty, and the 160-site campground is only a short walk away from the water. There's also a historic stone pavilion that can be booked for private gatherings. The campground is open between late May and early September, and there are also rustic cabins that can be rented by the week.
244 W Main St, Niantic, CT 06357, Phone: 860-739-5471
North Shore Woods on Beach Pond
If you're looking for something a little bit different from a typical state park or private campground, North Shore Woods on Beach Pond is one of the best options in Connecticut. It's located in the lakefront backyard of a friendly family, and there are two tent sites, three RV sites and three cabins. There's also a luxurious wood-fired sauna right next to the lake, which campers are welcome to use free of charge. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available for guests to use as well, and the lake is also great for wind sports if you want to bring your own equipment.
168 N Shore Rd Voluntown, CT 06384, Phone: 860-961-1996
Amston Lake Gateway
Conveniently located on a half-acre forested lot in a rural community, the campground at Amston Lake Gateway is a wonderful destination for an easy weekend trip on the lake. Amston Lake is private, but campers are given complimentary beach passes. A boat launch is only 350 steps away from where you'll pitch your tent, and there are two beaches located within a mile of the campground. Motorboats are not permitted on the lake, but it's perfect for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and floating, so don't forget to bring your equipment. Water and electric hookups are available if needed.
Mickelberry Forest Gardens
Operated by a friendly family with an interest in growing their own food and teaching others how to do the same, Mickelberry Forest Gardens is located on a private farm with a small orchard and an edible forest garden. You can often pick fruits, nuts, and berries for breakfast depending on the season, and the owners can also provide a delicious home-cooked breakfast featuring farm fresh eggs. There's a beautiful lake only a mile away, but if you'd rather spend as much time as possible on the property, the owners can arrange private yoga classes and educational tours of the garden.
West Thompson Lake Campground
Surrounded by pine, oak, and hickory trees, the West Thompson Lake Campground is a federally operated campground near a beautiful lake in northeastern Connecticut. The lake isn't suitable for swimming, but it's excellent for canoeing and kayaking, and visitors are also welcome to fish. There are 22 campsites available, half of which are equipped with water and electric hookups, and there are two Adirondack lean-to shelters as well. Flush toilets and showers are available, and the park also features a challenging 18-hole disc golf course, a children's playground, and a network of interpretive walking trails.
449 Reardon Rd, North Grosvenor Dale, CT 06255, Phone: 860-923-3121
River Bend Campground
Sitting on the shore of the peaceful Oneco Pond, the River Bend Campground boasts endless activities and attractions to keep visitors of all ages entertained. The highlight is the mining and gemstone panning attraction, where kids and their parents can hunt for fossils, shells, and gems, but there's also a swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts, and a full calendar of special events. Most of the sites have full or partial hook-ups, but simple tent sites are available as well. Modern restrooms and showers are available, and the campground also rents out stationary campers and cozy cabins.
41 Pond St, Oneco, CT 06373, Phone: 860-564-3440