Best Camping in Connecticut

Camping in Connecticut

By Alex Murphy

While it may not sound like a big camping destination, the state of Connecticut packs rivers, beachfront towns, and campgrounds, along with part of the Appalachian Trail and several historic places for visitors to check out.

One of the smallest states by size, Connecticut, also known as The Constitution State and is densely populated with easy access to major cities like New York and Boston. So while crowds are never far, there are some great wooded areas to escape the hustle and bustle.

Here's a look at some of the best Connecticut campgrounds.

See a map of all camping in Connecticut.

Connecticut State Parks

Despite the state's small size, Connecticut State Parks have packed the area with places to visit. There are more than 100 parks, state forests, and state hiking trails for visitors to see.

Macedonia Brook State Park, which borders New York State, is popular for its hiking trails and mountains in the park-like Cobble Mountain.

Farther east, Devils Hopyard State Park is a popular destination for stream fishing.

Wolf Den, a campsite within Mashamoquet Brook State Park, is another stop with strong reviews on Campendium. This campground is located in the northeast corner of the state with quick access to other popular New England destinations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The beaches lining the Long Island Sound are also a popular place to camp, with plenty of campsites to choose from, including destinations like Hammonasset Beach State Park and Rocky Neck State Park. Both parks have quick access to the beach and are popular for anyone looking to fish.

RV Parks in Connecticut

When it comes to RV Parks in Connecticut, there are plenty of campsites to choose from.

The Portland Riverside Campground gives people with campers easy access to the city of Hartford while also enjoying camping near a river. Like most RV parks, there are full hookups for campers.

A campground with great reviews on Campendium with quick beach access for fishing and swimming is Aces High RV Park. Located in East Lyme, CT, a quick drive will get you to the beach.

For a more natural and rustic campground, many visit Cozy Hills Campground, where tall trees and wooded camping spots will make many forget how close they are to NYC.

Connecticut National Parks

Like most of New England, Connecticut is rich with history. The state has two National Historical Parks, including:

• Coltsville National Historical Park is named after Samuel Colt and a turbulent factory that made the famous Colt handgun. The Hartford location helped build the city into what it is today.
• Weir Farm National Historical Park celebrates artists  J. Alden Weir and other artists who stayed on his farm, known for its natural beauty with woods and waterways cutting through the property.

Neither destination has a campground, but there are plenty of nearby spots to stop for the night.

Free Camping in Connecticut

Like many parts on the East Coast, free camping in Connecticut leaves a lot to be desired, but there are a few camping areas you can stay for the night to rest.

This includes a few different casinos that provide overnight parking for campers, such as Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Other places to stay for the night include highway rest stops like North Stonington Rest Area off of I-95.

National Forests in Connecticut

The National Forest Service does not manage any land in Connecticut.