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With opportunities for swimming, fishing, hiking, and birding—and affordability to boot—these five campgrounds offer ample opportunities for fun in the sun. End your summer with a bang by spending time outdoors at an affordable beachside campground in Connecticut. Situated near some of the most picturesque beaches in Connecticut, get ready for a magnificent escape.
Hammonasset is Connecticut’s largest beach and its associated campground boasts 550 campsites in a location that puts you right near the beach. Camping at Hammonasset is certainly affordable, starting at $20 per night, which makes this a great family-friendly vacation. The campground features amenities such as toilets, drinking water, and a playground. Hookups are also available.
Camp near the sandy shores of Rocky Neck in one of the 160 wooded and open sites. Camping here puts you right near the lovely Rocky Neck Beach and close to downtown Niantic, which has several great restaurants and shops. In addition, visitors can enjoy hiking the surrounding nature trails and birdwatching—this is a particularly good spot to look for heron, egrets, osprey, and other water birds. Camping at Rocky Neck is affordable starting at $20 per night. Do note that pets are not allowed.
Hopeville Pond is a beautiful natural area with the focal point being the large Hopeville Pond and Pachaug River. Camping is allowed at Hopeville Pond and offers 80 wooded sites and bathrooms. Swimming and fishing areas are nearby and visitors will be able to enjoy the excellent hiking trails around the lake and at the nearby Pachaug State Forest, which is one of the best free-to-visit natural areas in Connecticut.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, enjoy this scenic lake by spending time at its associated campground. The Lake Waramaug campground features 76 campsites, some wooded and some overlooking the lake. Swimming, fishing, and boating are both allowed nearby, making this an active stay. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available if you’ve not brought your own, allowing you to get on the lake to enjoy the scenery, birdwatch, fish, or simply relax in the silence. Do remember to bring along a camera because Lake Waramaug State Park is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Connecticut.
Run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this campground has a wide array of facilities and activities that can be enjoyed nearby such as fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, and disk golf. However, swimming is not allowed near the campground, instead visitors need to travel to the nearby state park for swimming. Unlike the other campsites listed above, West Thompson Lake allows camping year-round. Facilities include a total of 22 campsites, with 11 basic sites and 11 hookup sites. Toilets, showers, drinking water, and a dump station are also available on site.
