The best cave campgrounds in Connecticut

What it lacks in size—this tiny New England state is just 110 miles in length—Connecticut makes up for in landscapes and rural charm. Whether you’re hiking part of the Appalachian Trail or the New England National Scenic Trail, cycling or horseback riding through the state parks, or kayaking and paddleboarding at the beach, campers will find plenty to entice them out of the city. While summer sees Connecticut’s beach resorts brimming with vacationers, New England’s rolling woodlands and epic hikes are most spectacular in fall, when the countryside is ablaze with autumn colors.

Top-rated campgrounds near Connecticut

What it lacks in size—this tiny New England state is just 110 miles in length—Connecticut makes up for in landscapes and rural charm. Whether you’re hiking part of the Appalachian Trail or the New England National Scenic Trail, cycling or horseback riding through the state parks, or kayaking and paddleboarding at the beach, campers will find plenty to entice them out of the city. While summer sees Connecticut’s beach resorts brimming with vacationers, New England’s rolling woodlands and epic hikes are most spectacular in fall, when the countryside is ablaze with autumn colors.

Top-rated campgrounds near Connecticut

1. Branch Brook Campground

78 sites · Thomaston, CT

Branch Brook Campground stands out as a serene retreat nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Thomaston, CT, making it the perfect getaway for nature lovers and families alike. As a Good Sam top-rated campground and RV park, we prioritize our guests' comfort and satisfaction, ensuring a memorable experience from the moment you arrive. Conveniently located just minutes from Route 8, our campground offers easy access for traveling campers. The charming town of Thomaston and its surrounding areas boast a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions, including local markets and quaint cafes, making it an ideal spot for those looking to explore beyond a single night’s stay. At Branch Brook Campground, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Whether you’re taking a refreshing dip in the pool, playing a game of pickleball, fishing in our scenic brook, or hiking the nearby trails, our amenities are designed to enhance your stay and provide endless fun. We offer 70 well-maintained sites, including seasonal and year-round rentals. Our dedicated staff and efficient reservation system are here to accommodate your needs, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance with your future reservations; we can’t wait to welcome you to Branch Brook Campground! To further enhance your stay, we

2. Rocky Neck State Park

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158 sites · Niantic, Connecticut

If you were (or have) the little kid who had the toy train setup every holiday season, you’re going to go ballistic over this place. Rocky Neck State Park is home to some of the country’s finest train watching. Kick back on the Long Island Sound, watch the railroad cars roll by and try to guess how many there are until the caboose.Of course, there are a whole lot of other things to do in this beautiful area. The beach here rivals the best in Connecticut, with soft white sand that makes it ideal for swimming. If you get tired of watching trains, you can watch birds instead. Osprey, cranes, herons and mute swans all frequent the marshes. So how about it? All aboard to Rocky Neck!

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3. American Legion and Peoples State Forests

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34 sites · Winsted, Connecticut

Tree huggers unite! This is the promised land. Consisting of two separate forests, the wooded bastions of Mother Nature rise tall and strong in these parts. Each tree is beautiful in its own way, but perhaps no trunk is better for squeezing than those in the 200-year old white pine grove in the Whittemore Recreation Area of the Peoples Forest. One can only hug so many trees, however, so it’s a good thing there are lots of other things to do in the American Legion and Peoples State Forests. The trails that wind through these wooded acres will keep hikers on their feet for days on end. And the waters of the wild and scenic West Branch of the Farmington River attracts kayakers and fishers from all over Connecticut and even neighboring states. But if you want to just come and squeeze an oak, no one will fault you.

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4. Black Rock State Park

76 sites · Thomaston, Connecticut

Up, down. Up, down. Up, down…the rolling hills of Black Rock State Park would lull you to sleep in a heartbeat. That is, if your legs weren’t pumping and sweat wasn’t trickling down your face. With each crest of a wooded hilltop, the hiking gets even better, and more remote, too.Scenic views and cool waters put Black Rock high on the traveler’s list when the weekend rolls around. The western highlands of Connecticut don’t get much better than this. Ask any local—the Mattatuck Trail from the Grey section of Waterbury to the Wigwam Reservoir in Morris is one hike you don’t want to miss. At the very least, it’s a good place to start.

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5. Devil's Hopyard State Park

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22 sites · Moodus, Connecticut

Devil’s Hopyard got its name from a couple of different stories, although it does sounds like a great name for a delicious india pale ale. The Hopyard part is in fact believed to have origins tracing back to a farmer who grew hops for brewing near Chapman Falls, the main attraction of this area. The Devil part likely comes from early settlers who tried to explain away the unique potholes in the stone around the waterfall with the supernatural.These potholes are actually perfectly explainable by science, go figure. As stones moved down stream, some would occasionally get trapped in an eddy, causing them to swirl around and erode the rock. The devil story is much more interesting though, which claims that the devil accidentally got his tail wet one day and was so angry, he burned holes in the stones with his hooves. Guess you'll have to go see it for yourself and make up your own mind on what truly happened. While you're there, make sure to check out the awesome hiking, fishing and mountain biking in the area. Devil's Hopyard State Park is just as full of outdoor activities as it is with history.

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Public campgrounds in Connecticut

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Rocky Neck State Park Campground

158 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rocky Neck State Park

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Austin F. Hawes Memorial Campground

34 sites · Tents, RVs · in American Legion and Peoples State Forests

Black Rock State Park Campground

76 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Rock State Park

63%

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Devil's Hopyard Campground

22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Devil's Hopyard State Park

Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near Connecticut

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Rocky Neck State Park

Niantic, Connecticut

American Legion and Peoples State Forests

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American Legion and Peoples State Forests

Winsted, Connecticut

Black Rock State Park

Thomaston, Connecticut

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Devil's Hopyard State Park

Moodus, Connecticut

More campsites in Connecticut

Branch Brook Campground

78 sites · Thomaston, CT

Branch Brook Campground stands out as a serene retreat nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Thomaston, CT, making it the perfect getaway for nature lovers and families alike. As a Good Sam top-rated campground and RV park, we prioritize our guests' comfort and satisfaction, ensuring a memorable experience from the moment you arrive. Conveniently located just minutes from Route 8, our campground offers easy access for traveling campers. The charming town of Thomaston and its surrounding areas boast a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions, including local markets and quaint cafes, making it an ideal spot for those looking to explore beyond a single night’s stay. At Branch Brook Campground, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Whether you’re taking a refreshing dip in the pool, playing a game of pickleball, fishing in our scenic brook, or hiking the nearby trails, our amenities are designed to enhance your stay and provide endless fun. We offer 70 well-maintained sites, including seasonal and year-round rentals. Our dedicated staff and efficient reservation system are here to accommodate your needs, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance with your future reservations; we can’t wait to welcome you to Branch Brook Campground! To further enhance your stay, we

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best cave camping in Connecticut guide

Where to go

Litchfield and the Northwest

The sweeping woodlands and patchwork slopes of the Litchfield Hills afford some of Connecticut’s most enchanting views. This is the spot for fall foliage walks, leisurely bike rides, and trout fishing along the Housatonic River. Hop between the chocolate-box villages of Kent, Cornwall Bridge, and Litchfield; dine at farm-to-table restaurants; then park your RV or pitch your tent at Lake Waramaug State Park, Housatonic Meadows State Park, or Macedonia Brook State Park.

Fairfield and the Southwest

A ferry ride from Long Island and a short drive from NYC, coastal Fairfield fills up with weekending New Yorkers come the summer months. Check into a beachside cabin or seafront RV park at beach resorts like Stamford, Bridgeport, and Fairfield, or head inland to hike in the hills, admire the mansion houses and golf courses of Greenwich, or go glamping in the woods.

Hartford and Central Connecticut

While the state capital of Hartford is the biggest draw to Connecticut’s central region, pastoral farmlands, pretty villages, and state parks dot the banks of the Connecticut River Valley. The best camping options are in the state parks, whether you prefer a tranquil spot by the riverside in River Highlands State Park, boat-in camping at Selden Neck State Park, or exploring a medieval castle at Gillette Castle State Park.

Greater New Haven

Connecticut’s cultural capital and foodie hub, New Haven is famous for its prestigious museums, Yale University, and award-winning pizzerias. Hop between beach towns along the north shore of the Long Island Sound and you’ll find great family campgrounds, amusement parks, and sandy beaches, or pitch a tent right by the beach at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Further east, the white sand beaches of Rocky Neck State Park are a bird-watching hotspot, especially in spring.

Eastern Connecticut

You’ll find old-fashioned seaside resorts, and leafy country escapes in equal measures in south-eastern Connecticut’s Mystic Country. Once you’ve hit the beach and the seafront casinos, head inland to cruise the Thames River, drive the National Scenic Byway of Route 169, or fish and paddle at Mashamoquet Brook and Hopeville Pond state parks.